Maintaining An Above Ground Pool
OK, so you bought an above ground swimming pool. You have decided what size and where to put it and either paid some somewhat sketchy guys to come install it or worse, you and your spouse did it yourselves. Now its in your yard full of water and looking good. So what now?
Just like everything you have in your life thats an extra, swimming pools need this annoying thing called maintenance. This means you cant just enjoy it while it is nice and clean and clear. Youll also have to pay the price of keeping it that way and that price includes a weekly dose of chemicals, cleaning, and a daily dose of electricity. I could write a really big book on how to take care of a swimming pool, but this is just a blog post so Ill try to keep it short.
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
Regularly Clean Out The Pump And Skimmer Baskets
A pump basket collects debris before it can reach the pump, while a pool skimmer pulls in water from the pools surface. A skimmer captures leaves and other debris in a basket before it enters the filtration system. Its important to clean out the pump and skimmer baskets at least once a week. Always turn off the pool pump and heater before you clean out the baskets.
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Choosing An Intex Swimming Pool
The Intex metal frame pools solve many of the problems seen in the Easy-Set pools. The metal frame pools contain no inflatable parts to puncture. The liner, however, may be punctured by sharp objects: it is wise to lay a ground cloth prior to setting up a metal-frame pool. The diameter stated on the Intex packaging is less deceptive, because the walls of the metal frame pools are vertical: the distance across the pool is the same at the top of the pool and the bottom of the pool. The metal frame pools will hold more water than an Easy-Set pool of the same depth: the Easy-Set pools may only be filled to 80% of capacity, but the metal frame pools may be filled to 90% of capacity.
The Intex metal-frame pool options come in sizes ranging from 10′ across x 30″ deep to a whopping 24′ across by 52″ deep. An “Ultra Frame” pool style is also available and boasts a stronger liner and an easier assembly method .
Level the ground before setting up an Intex pool.
Leah Lefler, 2021
Maintain Your Pool During Winter
If you are closing your above-ground pool during winter or any cold months, there is a way to clean your pool and get it ready for winter so that you dont have to continue to maintain it as stringently as you would during the heat of summer and swimming season. This winter pool maintenance is referred to as winterizing your pool.
Here are some major steps to follow when winterizing your above-ground pool:
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Chapter : How To 80/20 Your Pool Care
The 80/20 rule says that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts.
In other words, in almost every situation, find the effort that gives you the most output and concentrate on that. Basically what Im trying to say is that most people will never be experts on every single aspect of pool care, but as long as you have some nuts and bolts knowledge and nail down the basics, you’ll do fine.
Dont sweat the small stuff and all that, right? If youre reading this guide, youre probably interested in becoming a halfway decent pool owner, so let me give you just a few tips you might find helpful.
How Can I Dismantle A Playhouse
Before you attempt to take your playhouse apart on your own, consider the amount of time and effort it will take. Youll need to have the right tools, and will probably need some extra handsits a big job and isnt something you should do on your own. If you want to save yourself the hassle, let 1-800-GOT-JUNK? do the heavy lifting for you!
We can dismantle the playhouse for you, then load it up into our truck, tidy up the area, then haul it away and ensure everything gets donated or recycled where possible. You wont have to lift a finger!
If you want to try it on your own, you need to make sure you have all the right tools: a wrench, hammer, pliers, screwdriver, and anything else you think you might need.
Youll need to remove the swings, the slide, the monkey bars and anything else that is used to swing, slide or climb. Once these are removed, you can get to work on taking apart the structure itself. When its completely apart, youll need to load it into a vehicle and transport it to a recycling facility or landfill. Be sure to check with the facility first to ensure they are able to accept the components of your playset.
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Get A Pool Pump Timer
Hopefully, your pump already has a timer. If not, I would invest in one. They are a crucial part of proper pool care.
Set the timer to run the pool at least 8 to 12 hours a day. If you can split up the times, great! If not, it wont be a problem for it to run 24 hours a day. Running your pump and filter is very important to keep your pool clear and its better to leave a timer in charge rather than a human.
The Best Pool Vacuum For Algae Reviews
After spending hours in research and reviewing our research/review team comes with these;5 best pool vacuums for algae;in 2021. Pick up one of these to create a smart cleaning system for your home.
Here are our in-depth;Reviews for Best Pool Vacuum For Algae;in 2021.
Our Favourite
- 40 feet long cord
- 1-Year Warranty
A highly recommended and famous model in the automatic robotic pool cleaner industry. With this robot, you will get excellent performance at a significant cost.
This pool cleaner will let you concentrate on what is necessary, simply enjoy your pool. This pool can adjust itself on all the surfaces. It will amaze you with its performance.
You will get a 40ft cord, which is designed in a way that it will never tangle with itself. Put the escape into the pool and on the power supply. You can do any of your tasks while it is cleaning the pool without worrying about it.
It has three working motors with its active scrubbing brushes to make sure that it gets not stuck anywhere and keep working. These motors and brushes let this robot climb to the walls to clean particles from the wall and scrubs the water lines.
Dolphin Escape Robotic Above Ground Pool Cleaner does not come with messy traditional bags that can be hard to clean or remove; instead, it comes with a filter cartridge that can carry up to 60% more dirt. It is super easy to take that cartridge out from the top, clean it, and place it back into the robot every time it gets dirty after cleaning the pool.
Pros
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The Definitive Guide To Intex Pool Care
Some people dream of having a pool in their yard their whole lives. And most of us would agree that theres nothing quite like it.
I mean, who wouldnt want to jump in for a cool swim after working all day? Or get in a few laps every morning for a refreshing workout?;
But whats surprising is that a lot of people dont realize that there are options available to them other than building an inground pool or throwing up a cheap blow-up model.
The world of above ground pools has changed A LOT, my friend. These days, you can choose from a variety of different shapes and sizes that are as easy on the budget as they are to maintain.;
Dont get me wrong, you can still find those cheap varieties that you might as well throw away after one season. But if you know what youre looking for, your above ground pool can last for quite a few years.
Now, we dont often spend a ton of time on one particular brand because most of the time, there are several great products that will do the trick. But in this case, were just gonna tell you that you cant go wrong with Intex for above ground pools.;
Getting The Right Chlorine Levels
Chlorine is the chemical that helps prevent algae buildups in your pool. While small amounts of algae are more unsightly than they are dangerous, larger amount of algae can cause;respiratory problems, especially for people with asthma.
You want to keep your pool at a level of at least 1.0 ppm chlorine when it is in use. To test your chlorine levels, you can use either test strips or a test kit.
Once your pump is back on, you will get higher levels of regulated chlorine. However, if your levels are still too low, consider using chlorine tablets until the pump is working again.
Test your chlorine levels a few times a week at the beginning of the swimming season to make sure that your pump is regulating things properly. Once you have stable levels, you can test your pool water once a week.
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What Happens If You Dont Clean Your Swimming Pool
A dirty swimming pool wont just ruin your day; improper pool maintenance or care could lead to recreational water illnesses like diarrhea, ear infections, respiratory infection, rashes, inflamed eyes, and lungs.
This is why its important to keep up on pool maintenance and make sure the pool chemistry is balanced so everything stays safe and clean.
Ultra Xtr Frame Intex Pools
The Ultra XTR Frame pool is what Intex considers its top-of-the-line model. It has a slew of upgraded materials to be more water-resistant and way more durable.;
This pool has a tougher liner made out of thick polyester mesh and PVC. And it has a scientifically tested frame made out of galvanized steel and horizontal beams that wont rust or weather.;
But maybe the most impressive improvement is their filtration system that they upgraded to provide better circulation and water clarity.
This one ranges in size from 14-18 feet and comes in either round or rectangular shape.
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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.
How Often Should You Change Your Bestway Pool Water
Bestway pools are above ground pools, they are designed to be set up and taken down when the seasons change. As such, you probably wont need to change the water unless something contaminates it and cant be fixed with chemical treatments.
You will, however, need to drain your pool entirely before taking it down or if you plan to move your pool.
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Daily Above Ground Pool Maintenance:
- Run the pool filter everyday, for 12-18 hours daily.
- Water level should be around mid-skimmer; not too high, not too low.
- Test pH level, should be between 7.4-7.6.
- Test chlorine level, should be between 2.0-4.0 ppm.
- Empty skimmer and pump baskets, as needed.
- Inspect filter pressure and pump operation.
- Observe pool cleaner operation, if you have one.
On a daily basis, your pool pump needs to operate, for at least 12 hours , to push the water through the filter, and prevent stagnation.
From the moment you open the pool, your pool needs to have a constant chlorine level. A complete test kit like the Taylor K2005, or 7-way test strips is recommended, to do full pool water analysis. Another option is to use the Taylor Troubleshooter test kit for pH, Chlorine and Alkalinity, and AquaChek test strips for your calcium and cyanuric tests.
Chlorine is very pH dependent, and as pH levels rise, the killing power of chlorine is reduced dramatically. Add pH increaser or pH decreaser, as needed, to maintain pH levels in the range of 7.2-7.6.
Using a permanent marker, write your clean, starting filter pressure on the filter tank, or directly on the pressure gauge lens, so you know the clean pressure reading. Then you will also know when to backwash, or clean the filter; when pressure rises 7-9 psi above clean.
What To Consider While Buying Best Above Ground Pool Vacuum For Algae
We recommend considering your preferences first while purchasing an automatic pool cleaner, so it can meet your expectations.
Here are few considerations you should consider while buying any robotic vacuum for an aboveground pool.
Pool Size:;Surely pool size matters a lot. Some above ground pool vacuums are designed for small pool sizes.;
Every robotic pool cleaner has its ideal size and specifications. Consider checking what pool size it supports. So it will not face any problem in vacuuming your pool.
Quality of Brushes:;Brushes help a robot to vacuum the debris and small particles. Brushes also help robots scrub the pool surface and walls.;
So, the quality of the brushes matters a lot. If a unit has an excellent quality of brushes, it will clean the pool more effectively.;
Quality of Sensors:;Sensors help robots to navigate underwater and find out dirty spots to clean.
If the sensors are not working correctly or do not have an outstanding quality of sensors then your robot might be lost underwater and miss spots to clean.;
So your unit should have an excellent quality of sensors.;
Ease of Use:;What if you purchased a robotic vacuum, but you did not know how to use it?
Ease of use is also important to consider while buying a robotic vacuum.;
Further, there should be minimal efforts at your end.;
Power Consumption:;Usually, smart home products are designed for energy efficiency. It means above-ground vacuums consume less energy; they suck dust, not energy.;
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General Above Ground Pool Maintenance
During the swimming season, you will need to run the pump at least 12 hours a day. That also means you should check your pump basket at least once a week so that it doesnt get overloaded with debris.
Once a month, check the pools cyanuric acid and calcium hardness levels. Scrub the areas around the ladder, waterline, and any other spots that end up with algae slicks.
