DIY When The Sun Is High On A Sweltering Summer Day, There Are Few Things More Rtips For Maintaining Above Ground Swimming Pools

When the sun is high on a sweltering summer day, there are few things more refreshing than jumping into a cool swimming pool. In order to enjoy this fresh sensation, many homeowners choose to install above ground swimming pools. For the average homeowner, this type of pool is more affordable, faster to install, and easier to maintain. If you've opted for an above ground swimming pool, here are a few tips for easy maintenance.  

Cleaning

The most important part of any pool maintenance is keeping it clean regularly. This requires constant vigilance if you want to increase the life of your pool. There are three steps to cleaning your pool: skimming, vacuuming, and brushing. You should make sure to skim the water for floating debris every day with a leaf rake or leaf skimmer. But skimming alone isn't enough. You should also invest in a portable pool vacuum since many above ground pools don't have vacuum ports or wall skimmers. A pool vacuum will allow you to remove deeper debris and will also help remove algae buildup. Another important step is brushing the pool walls. This helps remove algae buildup and will also help increase water circulation. Vacuuming and brushing should happen once a week.  

Pump and Filter

Your pool's pump is responsible for keeping the water circulating through the filters. Keeping the water moving is part of what prevents algae growth. This is especially important in an above ground pool where there may be less circulation. You should have your pump set to run for about 8-12 hours at a time, depending on the size of your pool. Ideally, you want all the water to circulate through the filter once a day. The filters are designed to keep harmful particulates out of your water. Cartridge filters can be removed and cleaned manually by flushing with water. Sand and D.E filters are cleaned by backwashing or setting the filter to reverse the flow of the water and flush out debris. Clean them as needed.  

Water Testing

The most important part of pool maintenance, whether above ground or below, is testing the water regularly for balance and chemical levels. Most experts recommend testing two or three times a week. There are a couple ways to do this, test strips or kits that use liquid dropper tests. The kits are typically more accurate than strips. Testing the balance means testing the pH levels. The reason for this is that the efficacy of chlorine is dependent on the level of pH in the water. The level should be between 7.2 and 7.8. Chlorine, on the other hand, is what sanitizes your pool. Most pools use tablets that are fed into the pool through wall skimmers, floaters, or automatic feeders. Ideal chlorine levels can vary depending on the type of pool, the type of liner it has, and its water capacity. Talk to an expert about the ideal chlorine levels for your type of pool.