Things To Do Before Cleaning The Pool
To maintain your pool, you need to take care of your equipment regularly too. You can do this either before or after cleaning the pool. The most important thing is always to maintain the machine.
When you do this, it will always produce optimum performance when cleaning your pool with it. And as a new pool owner, you need to learn this technique.
Here Are 10 Above Ground Pool Maintenance Tips To Help Keep Everything In Good Shape
Above ground pools are less expensive, easier-to-install alternatives to in-ground pools. And if that werent enough, theyre also usually easier to maintain. There are a few things youll want to do to keep your above ground pool in good working condition. Here are 10 key tips for above ground pool maintenance.
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The Basic Components Of A Swimming Pool
Like most major home improvements, you can get as fancy as you like with your swimming pool. You can add advanced heating and lighting, install high-tech pool covers, and even enjoy music while you swim with underwater pool speakers. But whether you have a basic backyard pool or a massive inground oasis shaped like Elvis, every pool has four components that need regular care to keep the good times rollin.
These include:
- The pools interior wall or liner
- The pools filter system
- The pools system of skimmers and returns
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Use Vaccum To Clean The Debris
The best filters used for pools cannot even remove all the debris collected in the water. Using a vacuum is a good idea. Vacuuming your pool once a week helps keep the water clean and does not allow algae to grow. Special robotic vacuums can be used for above-ground pools and let chlorine work better for your pool.
Once Every Other Day Test The Water
At least three times each week, test the pH level of your water. As long as you test it that often, it shouldnt go out of balance by too much.
Depending on the Results, Use an Appropriate Treatment:
Lets say that the pH level was higher than usual. Then, you should try to lower it. Additionally, if the pH level is lower, then you should raise it.
Usually, We Suggest Using a Litmus Strip:
Perhaps, the litmus strip is among the easiest testing methods. With one of these, you just dip the paper into the water. Then, see what color it becomes. Depending on the results, youll have your answer
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Monthly Above Ground Pool Maintenance:
- Test calcium hardness level, should be between 200-400 ppm.
- Test cyanuric acid level, should be between 30-50 ppm.
- Shock the pool in the evening, using 2 lb. of pool shock per 10000 gallons.
- Check for hidden algae which can form behind steps and ladders.
- Clean the water line and inside skimmer walls with Tile & Vinyl Cleaner.
Calcium hardness is a measurement of the hardness of your pool water. Not as crucial for above ground pools, but water that is too soft can make it easier for vinyl liner stains to appear, can cause foaming, and can interfere with proper sanitation. Add Calcium Hardness Increaser if below 150 ppm.
Cyanuric acid is a chlorine stabilizer, protecting your chlorine from the sun. Chlorine tablets contain a small amount of cya, but to start, add stabilizer to reach an initial level of 30 ppm.
To shock an above ground pool, pour the pool shock into a 5 gallon bucket of water and stir for 1 minute to dissolve. Pour around the edge of the pool, and brush up any granules, to prevent vinyl liner bleaching.
Use a mild vinyl cleaner and a soft sponge to clean the water line area, removing oil, dirt and scale. Keeping the inside of the pool wall skimmer clean will reduce the amount of gunk that forms at the water line.
Clear A Cloudy Above Ground Pool With A Vacuum
An essential part of above ground pool care is vacuuming. A pool vacuum connects to the skimmer or a particular suction line. The vacuum head moves around the pool to collect debris, leaves, and other sediments found in swimming pools.
Of course, proper landscaping around the pool can help keep out leaves and branches. Choose some of the best trees to plant around a pool to minimize this type of maintenance.
When it comes to pool vacuums, there are two different kinds manual and automatic. Pool owners usually prefer an automated pool vacuum because the vacuum does the work for you with minimal human interaction. To vacuum an above ground pool manually, you must guide the machine around the bottom of the pool much like you vacuum a rug.
For a consistent way to clean a pool, run your pool vacuum every day to collect any excess debris that falls into the water.
Both types of pool vacuums are safe for fresh and saltwater pools. With an automatic pool vacuum, above ground pool cleaning is easier.
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Come On In The Waters Finethanks To You
Owning a swimming pool is one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy fun in the sun at home. Yes, it needs regular care, but that doesnt mean youll spend your life shackled to a vacuum or fiddling with your chemistry set.
In fact, when you know how your pool works, understand the care it needs and plan ahead, you might find yourself taking pride in your pool care prowess. Youll enjoy not just your swim, but the peace of mind that comes with regular and thorough pool maintenance.
Happy Swimming!
How To Care For Above Ground Pool
Owning an above-ground pool comes with great responsibility, and you need to keep the pool clean and free from debris daily. Kids love to enjoy the warm summer days in a swimming pool, and it is necessary to keep the pool clean to avoid the expensive maintenance or dangerous swimming conditions that can happen. Read this article to know how to care for the above-ground pool in your backyard and enjoy the full benefits.
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Filter And Skim The Pool:
This should be done if you notice that the pressure gauge is around 8 to 10 pounds above normal .
Also, just in general, check the manual for any backwashing steps.
How To Take Care Of Your Above Ground Pool
So youve decided to invest in an above-ground pool. Above ground pools are great investments: they allow you to have a fully functional pool at a significantly lower cost. Above Ground Pools are also easier to put up and remove, and they take up a lot less space. However, one distinct advantage that they have over their in-ground cousins is the fact that they are a lot easier to clean and maintain. This is because all of the Above Ground Pools parts are totally visible and within easy reach. Cleaning and maintaining your pool will make it last longer, keep swimmers safe, and give you a better overall bathing and swimming experience. Here are some tips for Above Ground Pool TLC.
Water Care
Firstly, make sure that your water is properly balanced: Maintain 80-120 ppm Alkalinity, Keep pH levels at roughly 7.2-7.6, Calcium levels at 250-400 ppm, and Chlorine levels at 2.0-4.0. This will ensure that the water remains free of algae growth, and keep your pool water from being too cloudy or too corrosive.
Secondly, use a Sanitizing system. This also helps kill algae, but more importantly, it kills bacteria. Chlorine is the chemical of choice, and the most effective type is called Stabilized Chlorine. It is usually added to the water in the form of a tablet, stick, granule, or cartridge.
Pool Care
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Shock The Pool Once Per Week
In order to maintain an above ground pool, you have to make sure the water is sanitary. Shocking, also referred to as super-chlorinating or oxidizing, consists of adding a large dose of granular chlorine, liquid chlorine, or non-chlorine shock to the pool. This is done to remove both visible and invisible contaminants, such as algae, germs, and combined chlorine. Follow package directions to ensure proper handling and dosage.
BONUS TIP: For granular chlorine shock, be sure to pre-dissolve it in a bucket of clean water before pouring into the pool. This protects the floor of your pool liner and helps prevent bleaching and discoloration.
Above Ground Pool Care
The key is to keep the water balanced not just for enjoyment and everyday use but because when an above ground pool turns – starts to get algae it is harder to reverse it. Mainly because the equipment is undersized for the amount of water. Manufacturers can’t package full-size equipment for practical reasons like set-up and assembly. So you are working with equipment that is designed to keep a balanced pool blue and looking good. The equipment is not designed for a green pool clean-up. Some newer above ground pools don’t have a skimmer or vacuum port so once it gets out of hand things can get frustrating.
One solution is to upgrade to better equipment but the less expensive alternative is to not let the pool turn green in the first place.
A good test kit is essential and testing the water each week or several times a week will keep the pool looking good.
In the video, I recommend the BBB Method of pool care as it is the easiest, safest and best way to keep your pool blue all season long. The other chemicals were designed and made for the pool service companies who can only service a pool once a week. But they are marketed now to homeowners for convenience sake. Liquid chlorine or Clorox bleach is the best way to sanitize your pool.
Investing in good cleaning equipment is a must also. A good brush and leaf rake will make keeping your pool clean a breeze. Brush at least once a week and skim the leaves off the top when you check the chemicals.
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Final Thoughts On How To Properly Clean An Above Ground Swimming Pool
An above ground pool is excellent for enjoying the summer months while keeping cool. However, it comes with a lot of work, and specifically, a lot of maintenance.
Cleaning your above ground pool is necessary if you want to be able to use it, and cleaning it is part of regular maintenance that needs to be done without fail, with daily tasks, weekly tasks, and monthly checks.
In order to clean the pool, you have to go through four different major steps : filter and skim the pool, brush the pool, vacuum the pool, and maintain the chemical levels of the pool.
You will, of course, require the appropriate equipment and materials. And just remember, that cleaning the pool is an ongoing task, as it is constantly becoming dirty, but you only need to learn how to clean an above ground pool once, and then you can keep your pool in great shape for years to come!
Vacuum More Than Once A Week
It’s best to vacuum your pool once a week at a minimum, but often, you’ll want to vacuum more than that. Your filter won’t remove all the dirt and debris in your water, especially the particles that fall to the bottom of the pool and stubbornly sit there. Manually vacuuming an above-ground pool can be a challenge, so opt for a stress-free robotic cleaner that gets the job done.
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The Pool Butler White Glove Service
Maintaining an above ground pool requires almost daily effort. If you neglect maintenance for more than a few days, you could be turning your pool green and unusable. But theres one way that you dont have to worry about missing a cleaning. The Pool Butler offers our White Glove Service to take care of all of your above ground pool needs. So leave the work to us and enjoy a crystal clear pool all season long. Contact us today to find out how!
Clean The Cartridge Filter Periodically
It is advisable to clean your cartridge filter periodically to ensure optimum performance from your pump filter. To do this, you should always remove the cartridge filter and rinse it with water. You can use a garden hose for this process.
Fix one end of the hose to your water tap, open the faucet and then splash water over the filter to remove dust and debris. The water pressure will flush out dirt from the filter.
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The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To Pool Care
Hey there, fellow pool owner!
I’ll get straight to the point: this is the most comprehensive beginner’s guide to pool maintenance that you’ll find online.
I created this guide so that even if your just installed a pool, you could use this as your instruction manual.
After all, there are definitely some tasks required to maintain a pool dont exactly require a professional, so why not save a little money that could be better spent on sunscreen and inflatable floaties?
Ive divided the guide into chapters so that you can quickly find whatever you need without having to go back and read the whole thing. So if youre ready to get started, lets dive in .
A Pool Cleaning Schedule
If it has proper circulation, youve already made cleaning your pool much easier. But youll still need to apply some good old-fashioned elbow grease. The basic tools youll need are:
Both Mother Nature and the folks using your pool bring all sorts of wild and wacky things into your pool, from leaves, mold, and the odd duck or frog to residues from shampoos, perfumes, and hair products. Add in the risks of bacterial contamination, and cleaning your pool becomes an absolutely essential part of safe swimming.
Skim, brush, and vacuum your pool weekly, at a minimum. This will keep debris out of your water, and your walls sparkling clean. Baking soda paste works particularly well as a basic scouring cleaner that wont damage delicate tile or a vinyl liner when you brush.
An automatic pool cleaner can significantly cut your pool cleaning time. It wont eliminate the need for regular skimming and brushing, but itll make both tasks easier, freeing you up to spend time enjoying your pool instead of cleaning it.
You can also make your cleaning life easier with a few unorthodox additions to your pool. Toss a few tennis balls into your skimmer basket, or even right into the pool, and theyll absorb surface oils left behind by suntan lotion, cosmetics, etc. You can also wrap your skimmer baskets with pantyhose to create an extra-fine filter thatll catch more contaminants than a skimmer alone.
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Beginner Tips For Above
The following tips for above-ground pool care help protect your investment and keep your pool and water healthy. While regular pool maintenance might seem like a drag, it ensures that you, your family, and your friends can keep enjoying the water, and it prevents greater inconveniences and expenses down the road .
If you dont take good care of your above-ground pool, algae and bacteria quickly become a concern. The water becomes discolored and cloudy, the sides of the pool are prone to slimy buildup, and pool equipment can become damaged. And these problems dont just make your pool look, smell, and feel unappealingthey can cause eye and skin irritation when you swim and even lead to illness.
Remember, when you decide to add an above-ground swimming pool to your yard, youre taking on the responsibility of regular maintenance. Use these tips for above-ground pool care and get in the habit of taking care of the essentials on schedule. Its well worth it. Enjoy the water!
Adjust The Chemicals If Necessary
If you test the chemical levels and discover that a chemical is not at the right level, you should adjust it accordingly. For instance, if the pH is too high, add a pH reducing chemical to get the right pH level.
This development goes for the other chemicals. The manufacturers provided instructions on how to apply these chemicals. All you have to do is follow the instructions.
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