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Swimming pool maintenance guide

Europe in general is a paradise for swimming pools - up to a third of properties have one in their own garden. Whether a swimming pool large or small, above ground or recessed, indoor or outdoor, they all need proper maintenance. In this article, you will learn how to provide crystal clear and safe water for carefree fun throughout the season.

Getting started: fill your pool properly

Before you even start preparing your pool for the season, you need to answer one key question: What source of water to use? Generally, water from a deep well or water main is usually the most suitable for this purpose. It is least polluted, either mechanically or organically, and therefore do not require as much careful maintenance.

From shallow dug wells, the water is more polluted organically and mechanically, so it needs to be properly filtered and treated before using, because microorganisms multiply rapidly in the pool. A popular solution is also to fill the pool with rainwater, but it is also necessary to adjust it correctly using rainwater filters. In addition, rainwater is acidic, so you will need to treat its pH.

Before filling, do not forget to scrub the walls and bottom of your pool, check the sand in the pool filter and, if necessary, rinse or replace it. After filling, check the water quality and treat it accordingly.

TIP: Find out your daily limit for water consumption

You may be required by authorities to fill your pool gradually over several days, or at night outside the peak. Find out what your daily water consumption limit is so that you do not violate your terms and conditions. Too high consumption could cause a decrease in the pressure in the network at your home and neighbors, in the case of its own source, a decrease in the level in the surrounding wells.

If you still want to fill the pool now, you can probably buy a water tank from your local water supplier. You pay once for the water and transport and you have no volume restrictions. Due to the possible overloading of the wastewater treatment plant, it is also advisable to drain the pool gradually after the season. The discharge of pool water on its own land is prohibited by law due to possible contamination of groundwater with pool chemistry.

Pool pollution: what does it cause?

The most dangerous is organic pollution, such as algae, bacteria and other microorganisms. These can cause health problems such as skin and mucous membrane irritation, as well as infections or diarrhea. In addition, algae stick to the walls of your pool and form an unpleasant slippery surface. Organic pollution also causes unsightly green or milky turbidity and bad smell of water.

Another typical problem of swimming pools is clogging with solid dirt, such as leaves, insects, grass, etc. The risk of this pollution is high, especially in uncovered pools. These impurities are not only unsightly and unpleasant, but they rot quickly in the pool and cause other water quality problems.

In addition, the pool water must have and optimal pH, alkalinity and hardness, or also ironiness. If these values ​​are not met, water becomes cloudy, pool treatment efficiency is reduced, skin and mucous membranes are irritated, and metal parts of your pool become corroded.

How to control the quality of water in your pool?

Check the pool water at least once a week and after each refill, in two ways:

● visually observe whether the water in the pool is cloudy, as it should be clear and free of discoloration and odor,

● use special tests to measure water pH, alkalinity and hardness.

Proper maintenance of the pool then consists of 3 steps: cleaning, disinfection and water treatment. You should perform all 3 steps as prevention, but also when contamination is detected.

Pool water must be clear.

Sanitization of pool water

Due to possible health problems, disinfecting your pool is the most important step. Microorganisms multiply very quickly in swimming pools, especially on hot days. Typically, disinfection is performed using chlorine-based sanitizing tablets that are specifically made for swimming pools. But if you are looking for a more environmentally friendly and environmentally friendly solution, choose one of the other options:

Active oxygen disinfection: it is gentler than chlorine, but it cannot be used in combination with chlorine, as they would become ineffective.

UV lamps: they can be easily added to the pool circuit. UV radiation kills microorganisms, for 100% disinfection it is necessary to add only about a fifth of the usual amout of chlorine to the water.

Saltwater chlorine generator: this appliance produces chlorine from special salt for the pool by electrolysis, so the water is slightly salty. Chlorine is only present in small amounts in water.

Water filtration and pool cleaning

Walls and bottom of your pool should also be vacuumed with a suction pool cleaner, manual or robotic products are available on the market, robotic ones which will clean your pool completely automatically. Regular use of a pool cleaner reduces clogging of the filter sand. You can remove larger dirt from the surface with an ordinary mesh.

Prevention is also important to keep your pool clean. Therefore, always take a shower and do not use greasy cosmetics before entering the pool. Roofing or covering the pool significantly reduces clogging.

Dirty pool water is unsafe.  

How to choose a pool pump

Pool pump, together with the filter, is the most important pool accessory. Pool pumps circulate the water in your pool, enabling dissolution of pool chemicals and water purification, its flow through the filter.

Choosing a pool pump should depend mainly on the size of your pool in m3. The appropriate pumping power is determined accordingly. In addition, focus on energy consumption and pool noise. You should run the pump daily for about 6 hours or as needed.

Pool water treatment

The last and aby less important step is the treatment of water using pool chemicals. In particular, it is necessary to maintain a suitable pH, alkalinity and hardness of the water.

The ideal pH of pool water is in the range of 7.0-7.4, limit values ​​are then 6.5-7.6.  High pH (alkaline water) causes water turbidity, reduces effectiveness of sanitizers, irritates your skin and eyes. On the other hand, low pH (acidic water) causes corrosion and also irritation. The alkalinity of the water in your pool, which should be in the range of 80-120 ppm, is linked to the pH. At higher or lower alkalinity, a suitable pH value cannot be reached. Alkalinity and pH can be increased and decreased using pool chemicals.

It is also necessary to treat too hard or ferrous water. Although these substances are not harmful to health, even in large quantities, they cause unsightly turbidity and discoloration of the water and stains on the walls of your pool.

Proper maintenance of the pool is important, but if you follow our advice, nothing will spoil your water fun.