Having a backyard pool is amazing and having an above ground pool is even better. They are easy to install, come at a very reasonable price, and can fit into small places. Most importantly, above ground pools are easy to maintain.
These pools are indeed very easy to maintain but you still have to follow a few steps and routinely clean the pool. Otherwise, you are sure to find unwanted junk and debris in the pool water. Even if there is no debris the water still might become a little murky.
Common Problems With Above Ground Pools
Before we jump into how you can clean your pool, let’s take a little look and see what happens when you don’t take care of your pool properly.
The first thing you will see after a few days is cloudy and murky water. If that continues you are going to have algae growth in corners of the pool that will certainly make the pool water feel slimy.
If that water gets into the eyes you might feel a stinging or burning sensation. And even if it doesn’t, your skin might feel irritated. To avoid these problems a lot of people now use pool cleaning robots.
Yes, that’s right we now have robots to clean our pools! These small robots are particularly better in cleaning above ground pools.
You can know more about these robots here
But if you are anything like me and are willing to get your hands a bit dirty and clean the pool by yourself follow these 6 tips-
1. Allow Proper Water Circulation
It is important to keep the pool water circulated. Or else you will have algae growing in your pool in no time and it’s only going to get worse from then on.
The best way to circulate the water is by using it. Meaning you will have to swim around and let the water move regularly. This clears out a lot of dead spots.
The next part will be to let your water filter do its job. Some people will recommend keeping the filter running for 24 hours but you don’t need to keep it on after 8 hours because it will not make any difference. But you do have to keep your water filter running for 8 hours and make sure to brush the pool walls at least twice a week.
2. Check The Filters
Your filters are going to be doing the filtration. Meaning all sorts of dust, algae, and debris are going to get stuck in it.
The 3 most common filters are sand filters, cartridge filters, and diatomaceous earth filters. Here the DE or diatomaceous filters are the smallest filters and the sand filters are the most common and largest filters currently available.
It’s important to know what size filter you need and it is also important to clean that filter at least twice a season by invoking it in solution.
3. Skimm, Vacuum & Brush
The three most important things about pool cleaning. Yes, sure your filters are there to clean the water but you need to roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty too. Your filters aren’t going to do everything for you.
Use a wall skimmer or leaf skimmer and drag it across the pool to clear out junk from the water surface. You can also use a flat skimmer net for the job
You can use suction cleaners and attach them to your skimmer to make an automatic pool vacuum or you can use those pool cleaning robots which we talked about earlier.
If the leaves are at the bottom of the pool, then you have to do it the old fashion way.
And finally, it’s time for good old scrub down. A lot of people neglect this part because it can be physically draining, but it’s crucial for keeping your pool clean.
You don’t need to put too much pressure as long as you are brushing it at least once a week.
4. Balance Your Pool Chemistry
Indoor pools have chemically balanced waters. But sometimes these chemicals become imbalanced and that can create hazardous situations. From burning sensation in the eyes to rashes in different body parts a lot of things can happen.
You need to contain the levels of sanitizer to maintain the ideal water chemistry of your pool. You can even use shock treatments to balance out the chemicals. You have to check out for the pH levels of the water as well.
You can do that by using strips or can even understand it if you look closely enough. Super clear water indicates low pH levels whereas cloudy water indicates high pH levels.
The ideal pH level should be 7.2-7.6 and the ideal alkalinity should be 80-120ppm.
Test once a week using strips to check out for the ph, alkalinity, and other chemical levels.
5. Prepare For Winterization
After enjoying your long hours in the pool this summer, you will eventually have to pack things up and wait till the next summer. However, if you don’t properly take care of your pool during this time, it is likely there won’t be a pool to set up the next time.
First up, remove all the cleaning supplies and chemicals from the pool and store them in a warm place.
After filtering the water for an hour, disconnect the motor and the pump. Dry out the pool and clean the filters and the hose one last time before storing them in a dry place.
Cover the pool up with a protective winter cover so it can last till the next spring or summer.
Final Thoughts
Above the ground, pools are a lot of fun and convenient. You don’t have to worry about unnecessary expenses and you will find plenty of designs to choose from as well. All you have to do is follow these tips and you are good to go enjoy your relaxing swim sessions in your above ground pool.
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