Your Ultimate Guide: 7 Pool Maintenance Tips for Pool Owners

Coming home after a hectic hot day at work to find your pool neat as a pin waiting for you to jump in is just the dream. As romantic as it sounds, this vision requires loads of work and dedication to come true. While owning a pool is sheer luxury that not all of us are fortunate enough to afford, it comes with a great deal of responsibility, and it is critical to maintain it correctly so you get to enjoy it over the years. To take good care of your pool and ensure it stays in good shape, you will be needing the experts' guide on pool maintenance.

Skipping pool-cleaning day is just like skipping chores, it is never a bright idea. Although maintaining your pool may sound like a daunting challenge, escaping it results in some costly repairs. Whether you have a small pool or one where you swim laps, the key to having a sparkling, healthy swimming pool is still the same: habitual care.

Whether you are someone who has just installed their swimming pool or have owned it for years now, having a handy guide for your pool maintenance accessible to you anytime spares you the painstaking research and rolls out to you all the tips and tricks. Here are 7 detailed tips on how to own a healthy swimming pool: 

Make Sure You Have What it Takes!

Getting the most out of your swimming pool requires having all that it takes to keep it safe, healthy, and -definitely- clean. To master this part, you have to purchase some tools. Don’t run to the store just yet! Instead of buying unnecessary pool equipment or opting for the wrong ones, hang in there for a beat to know exactly what you need to keep your pool clean. Having a list of the supplies you need will not only help you save money but will also prep you to maintain your pool like a pro, all by focusing on the following pool maintenance tips.

• Water Testing Kit: Pool water test strips are designed to offer you precise, on-the-spot water test results. Depending on your pool water type, choose the suitable test strip. All you have to do is dunk the strip into your pool, then take it out immediately to set it side by side with the color chart to get your result.
• Telescopic Pole: Who wouldn't want a magic stick that you can grab whenever you want to fix something in your pool? Guess what? You might have just found your grail. A telescopic pole is a multi-purpose tool that you will probably need on a daily basis. Whether it’s skimming, vacuuming, or brushing swimming pools; the telescopic pole comes to the rescue.
• Vacuum Head and Hose: What is more satisfying than having a perfectly swept-out pool bottom to which you swim without the slightest hesitation? Owning a vacuum head and a vacuum hose is key to maintaining a sparkling floor.
• Skimmer Net: To have a spotless pool that is free from any roaming leaves or floating insects, you might want to opt for the skimmer net. Just attach it to the telescopic pole, scooping out whatever you come across on the surface.
• Pool Brush: The main role of the pool brush is to scrape any dirt or algae off the pool’s walls or ladder, preventing any particles from settling or piling on the floor. Are you looking for a brush that is stiff enough to remove stains without scratching your surface? A nylon-bristled brush is a no-brainer. However, a pool that hasn't been cared for or cleaned for quite some time might need a more abrasive kind of brush. In this case, a steel-bristled brush will come in handy when the daily-used one doesn't achieve the required result. 

Befriend Your Brush and Skimmer

What would it feel like to be eager all day to come home to unwind with a swim only to find your pool meeting you with murky water and stains? Horrible indeed. Couldn’t it be as easy as just jumping right in and having a blast in your own pool? This can only be true with a proper regular maintenance routine. Skimming the pool’s surface on a daily basis is no sweat. Such a simple routine helps you prevent dust, leaves, and algae from piling on the pool’s walls and floor. To constantly keep your pool clean, there are two options for skimming: 

Let a Robot Do It for You!

Wouldn’t it be cool to just assign the entire task to a robot? If you are willing to invest some money in your pool’s maintenance equipment, explore the market for a wide array of robotic pool skimmers. Functioning around the clock, your robot’s key job will be collecting leaves, dirt, hair, insects, or any other debris to be found on the surface. 

Just Do It Yourself

What if purchasing a robot is unaffordable for the moment? No worries. One more chore will be added to your to-do list. By attaching a skimmer net to an adjustable telescoping pole, you can effortlessly sweep the surface of any debris to enjoy a spotless pool and avoid bacteria growth. And just like that - with somewhat a little exercise- you will save some money and get yourself a sparkly swimming pool to have a whale of a time!

Just Like your carpet- Vacuum It All Up!

Nothing is worse than swimming near the pool’s floor only to be met by dirt, hair, or leaves hitting you in the face. To dive deeper and freely touch the ground without worrying about what you might unearth down there, you need to know how a manual vacuum works. Even though an automatic vacuum cleaner sounds dreamy, it is also costly and not as effective. For a more efficient, less expensive technique; ShrubHub experts advise you to follow the steps below:

• Put Your Vacuum Together: Attach the telescopic pole and the vacuum hose to the vacuum head.
• Lower the Vacuum Head: Dip the vacuum head into the water till it reaches the floor and rests flat on it.
• Release the Bubbles from the Hose: Hold the loose end of the vacuum hose against an inlet jet in the pool so the water pushes all the air out.
• Start Vacuuming: From the shallow and all the way to the deep; this is how you should vacuum your pool. Similar to how you handle vacuuming your carpet, you need to move the vacuum’s head in a slow and steady motion, making sure you don’t miss any spots.

Go Chemical-free

What would it be like to have a chemical-free pool? Is it even applicable? If the thought of not adding chemicals to your pool water has ever crossed your mind, then you are in the right place because the answer to this controversy is right below.

Going chemical-free is not only possible but can also be less expensive, cleaner, and easier than the traditionally-used chemicals to have a healthy home swimming pool. Of course, chlorine is the most commonly used way to get rid of insects, bacteria, and algae. However, without a shadow of a doubt, each one of us has experienced – at least once- the dreaded consequences of swimming in chlorine; be it damaged hair, irritated skin, or red eyes. 

• Oxygen Can Do the Trick: Oxygen is considered a chemical-free method for cleaning your pool. As thoroughly as Chlorine, oxygen cleans your pool via oxidizing waste material through its active form: ozone. By installing an oxygenator system to your pool’s already-existing filtration system, you get to have a chemical-free pool.
• Copper, The Pool Ionizer: Another way to safely clean your pool is copper ionization. With a balance of copper and silver, this technique uses ions to get rid of viruses, bacteria, and algae. Most importantly, it does not cause any sort of damage to your skin, eyes, or hair.

Stay Safe

Whereas having your own swimming pool is an awesome way to relax and bond with your family, turning a blind eye to safety measures because you are in a rush to have all the fun may result in grave consequences. Whenever you are out there handling your pool maintenance, you need to take your safety precautions into consideration. Implementing key safety measures ensures safeguarding yourself, your family, and your property as well. Here are some safety tips for you to consider before cleaning your pool:

• Make sure plugged-in electrical devices are out of the water’s reach.
• Keep extension cords away from the pool.
• Handle any leaks immediately
• Never go into the pool while holding a plugged-in device.
• If you are using a vacuum, don’t put the aluminum handle into the pool.
• If you use chemicals while cleaning, make sure to lock them in a room out of children's and pets’ reach.
• Don’t mix chemicals near the pool to avoid spilling.
• Mix chemicals into the water and never the other way around.
• When pouring pool chemicals, make sure to do it slowly to avoid burning yourself.

Where should you invest?

What can be more fun than having your own swimming pool for a refreshing, enjoyable summer?

While diving into the cooling water is key to all the fun, pool hardscaping not only upgrades your outdoor living space but also plays a crucial role in determining effective pool maintenance and ensuring safety. Successful pool hardscaping reaps great benefits to your property, among which are:

• Pool safety: Nothing can be more frustrating than having an accident or a family member getting injured by the pool while having fun. Opting for a pool deck that guarantees pool safety is key to bidding all your worries farewell.
• Pool Durability: While owning a pool comes as a great benefit, being able to maintain it for as long as possible is essential to take joy in it. Extending the life of your pool means you can save money, lessen the number of repairs, and have more time to make memories.
• Pool Maintenance: Having grass surrounding your pool means dragging all the mud with you into the pool. If so, cleaning your pool will become an extremely hectic chore to do. To avoid messiness, it is recommended to design your own pool hardscaping, ensuring that your pool’s cleanliness is not compromised.
• Pool Aesthetics: From poured concrete and pavers to stamped concrete, wood, stone tile, tile decking, and many other options; pool hardscaping designs come in various shapes, styles, and materials. Each pool deck design has the power to make your beautiful yard even more charming. 

Looking for an Expert’s Advice on Pool Maintenance and Hardscaping?

If you are at a loss in deciding on the pool hardscaping that best suits your property, do not hesitate to consult ShrubHub’s design experts. When introduced to a wide array of designs that complements the beauty of your property and boosts your pool maintenance aspect, you will then be aware of the ultimate choice and be able to opt for what suits you the most.

Maintaining a healthy, clean swimming pool requires tons of work, a strict pool cleaning schedule, and great expertise. To keep your pool crystal clear, don’t forget to keep this guide nearby. 

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