There are around 10.4 million residential pools in the U.S.
Despite this number, many people don’t know how to properly keep their pools clean. A professional pool cleaning service like Mirage Pool Services is often the best solution.We have all the equipment and expertise needed to properly clean and maintain residential pools.
Knowing what you should regularly be doing is essential for keeping your pool well-maintained. For a rundown of some key pool cleaning tips, keep reading.
Circulation
Your pool has a pump that keeps the water circulating. Ensure this is functioning properly and running for around 8-12 hours daily. If you don’t run your pump enough, your pool won’t stay clear.
If you have a salt system, it will only function properly when the pump is running. This means salt systems will need the pump to be on for even longer.
Filtration
You need to check your pool filter regularly to make sure it’s clear. Over time, it collects debris, but it becomes less effective if it gets clogged up.
The same goes for the skimmer basket/pump basket – make sure you clean these out regularly. The better these parts are functioning, the less time you’ll need to spend cleaning your pool.
Brushing
It’s natural for bacteria and algae to start growing in wet environments. This is more of an issue in areas of low circulation. You can regularly brush the floor and walls of your pool to help prevent this.
Areas like steps, benches, and corners can be more susceptible, so you may want to focus on these more when cleaning your pool.
Water Chemistry
If you want to keep your pool clean and healthy to swim in, you need to make sure the chemistry of the water isn’t off. Test and treat the water in your pool around once a week to ensure everything is in order.
After testing, you can see if there is a shortage of any chemicals and add them to balance things out. In hot weather, you want to try to maintain the following:
- Chlorine: 2.0 – 4.0 ppm
- pH: 7.2 – 7.6
- Cyanuric acid: 30 – 50 ppm
- Salt level (in salt pools only): 2700 – 3500 ppm
You should also be doing monthly tests to make sure the calcium hardness and alkalinity are right. Hot weather can also make it easier for algae to grow, so using a preventative algaecide can also be a good idea.
Shock the Pool
Shocking your pool involves significantly raising the chlorine levels for a short amount of time. This will kill off any unwanted bacteria that can survive with normal levels of chlorine.
In the summer, your pool will get more sun, which breaks chlorine down, making shocking your pool more important. It can also help break down other contaminants that come from swimmers, such as sweat and makeup.
There are certain times when you should shock your pool:
- Before your first use of the season
- Before covering it for the winter
- When the free chlorine drops below 3 ppm
- After extreme weather
- After heavy pool use
- If you notice any algae
Shocking your pool as and when it’s needed will save a huge amount of cleaning time.
Pool Cleaning Services
Knowing how to clean your pool is one thing, but getting it done is another. It takes a lot of work, and without the proper experience, you might not be able to do it properly.
Hiring a professional pool cleaning service like Mirage Pool Services is one of the best ways to ensure your pool stays as clean as possible. To find out more about the services we offer,click here.
Mirage Pool Services specializes in pool maintenance, equipment repairs and replacement, chlorine washes, draining pools, and pool startups in the Moreno Valley and Riverside, California areas.