3 Essential Tips To Get Your Pool Summer Ready
The days are getting longer, the garden is doused in sunshine rather than rain, and that pool that's seen fairly little use recently is starting to look like an enticing space to relax in. This can only mean one thing, summer is nearly here. Hooray!
But before you can whip out the barbecue and get everyone around for a summer sesh, there's work to be done. So we're going to be taking a look at the main things that you might want to cover and fix up before the festivities can begin.
If you're not sure where to start, don't worry - we've got you sorted. Here are our top tips:
Remove Debris From The Pool
If the pool really has been out of action for a while, there may well be some debris accumulated at the bottom. These could be leaves, twigs, or even small stones. Take some of the work off your pool filter and use a net to scoop these out - it'll make swimming a lot more pleasant!
Cleaning the pool isn't exactly the most exciting thing to do around the house but there are a few items and methods you can use to make the process slightly less of a drag, who knows maybe it can be cathartic!
You might be wondering if the pool is going to need to be drained for a proper cleaning or if it can just be done with a combination of surface skimming and filtration/chemical usage. Depending on the state of your water and how long it’s been since your last cleaning will determine what needs to be done.
If you just have a lot of leaves and general debris in your pool, you can use a leaf net which makes the process of removing them much easier and less time-consuming. It also wouldn't hurt to brush the sides and floor of the pool with a stiff-bristled brush to loosen any dirt that may have built up over time, this will also help with circulation.
Vacuuming the pool is the next step and probably the most time-consuming part of this process. The good news is that this can often be done with an underwater pool vacuum which won't require much input from you other than to empty the collection bag from time to time.
Sometimes, if your water is really dirty and there's a substantial amount of mud or debris then it will be difficult to get it all clean but trust us, with the right amount of patience and maintenance, almost any pool water can be brought back to life.
While we’re at it, let’s debunk a myth about draining your pool. Draining your pool is widely agreed to be a very risky endeavour and one that should be avoided at almost any cost. Some have said that it’s easier to do so than go through an extensive period of maintenance, but we strongly advise against it and to instead invest in the right equipment to clean your pool and bring it back to life.
Check your pH levels
The next step is to make sure your pH levels are balanced. pH stands for 'potential hydrogen' and is a measure of how acidic or alkaline your water is. Ideally, the pH of your water should sit between 7.2 and 7.6 - but if it's outside of this range, what happens?
It's definitely one of the most commonly recommended steps regarding pool maintenance. "Always check your pH levels" but you might be wondering, why does it matter? As it turns out, there's actually a whole host of reasons. If your pH is on the lower side (acidic) it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, as well as ridding a portion of the natural oils in our skin that keeps us moisturised. It can also cause problems with your pool equipment, such as making your tiles appear dull and damaging the lining of your pool.
If it's on the higher side (alkaline), this can also lead to skin and eye irritation as well as potentially affecting your swimming costume fabric. In terms of your pool, it can cause calcium deposits to form on surfaces and clog up pool filters.
You might be thinking that all of this sounds quite dramatic, but actually, it's really easy to test your pool and then adjust the pH levels using chemicals - so there's no need to worry. If you don't have one already, you can purchase pH level test kit online or from any pool store. From there, the process is just taking some water from your pool and dropping it on test strips that then turn a colour that indicates where your pool is on the pH scale.
Check Your Equipment
After you've taken care of the water, it's time to move on to your pool equipment. This includes making sure that your pool filter is in good working order and that there are no cracks or leaks in any of your pipes. It's also important to give your ladder and handrails a once-over to make sure they're sturdy and not loose.
If you have a saltwater chlorinator, now is a good time to check that it's working properly and that the cells are clean. If you don't have one of these but are thinking about getting one, they're a great way to automate the chlorination process and save you some time (and money) in the long run.
There you have it! By following these steps you're well on the way to a great summer full of aquatic enjoyment at your very own home.