Tips To Keep Your Inground Pool Clean In The Summer
The joys on inground swimming pools during the hot summer months are hard to put into words. Countless hours of entertainment and fun in the sun (or at night) for friends and family, a surrogate for the beach or the cottage if you just can’t get away this summer, and a way to make sure everyone stays cool, relaxed, and in a good mood all summer long. There are, however, some maintenance and cleaning requirements that go along with owning a pool that all pool owners should know about. Below are some tips to keep your inground pool clean in the summer.
Tip 1: Chlorine and pH
You should be checking your pool’s chlorine and pH levels at least twice per week throughout the summer. The water should always display a pH of between 7.4 and 7.6, and chlorine levels of between one and three parts per million. It is a good idea to test these levels at dusk, and at least four hours after all swimmers have left the water, and at least eight hours after a rain or windstorm.
Tip 2: Clean the Pool at Least Once per Week
This means a thorough cleaning, involving removing and emptying the skimmer baskets, and skimming the leaves and the debris from the surface of the water, as well as the pool floor. To get at the debris on the pool floor, use your pool vacuum. It is also wise to take a cleaning net to the surface for finer particles.
Tip 3: Pool Surface Cleaner
While you are cleaning the pool of debris, etc., it is also a good idea to apply a pool surface cleaner to the waterline of the pool walls. This is to get rid of waterline stains that will develop over time, and it will keep your pool looking fresh and clean. Apply the cleaner to the wall at the waterline, and then, using a wet scrub brush, quickly scrub the walls at and just below the surface of the water.
Tip 4: Shocking
It is a good idea to shock the water once a week. Shocking your pool involves adding a larger than normal dose of chlorine to the pool in order to get rid of any algae or bacteria buildup. The amount of “shock” that you will add depends on how much water is in your pool and the strength of the chlorine product you are using. You should always avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after the shock.
Keeping your pool clean can be a chore, but it is one that will pay dividends for you and your family throughout the summer and in the years to come. Keep the above cleaning tips and methods in mind, and ensure that your inground pool is clean, welcoming, and ready for use all summer long.