Pool Maintenance Cleaning Tips

1. Skim The Surface And Empty The Baskets - Once every few days, it's always worthwhile to gather any accumulated debris that is floating on top of the water. Utilize a hand skimmer (a long-handled net also commonly referred to as a leaf skimmer) to remove dead bugs, floating leaves, and other random fragments. Next, empty the pump basket and the skimmer basket. Removing detritus from both baskets will significantly assist with the overall maintenance of your pool. A congested or clogged basket will force your pump to work much harder to cycle the water through, which will gradually put stress and strain on the seals of the pump as well as running the risk of impeding the pool filter.

2. All Hands On Deck - A straightforward yet crucial job is to clean and disinfect the entire deck around your pool. Be it ceramic tiling, cement, concrete, stone, brick or rubber granules, the area will end up covered in dirt, grease and scum after a while, as well as bacteria and other hazardous pathogens too. Disinfect the deck regularly with a stiff brush and a nonabrasive cleaning disinfectant. You can even create your own cleaning mixture by combining Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) with water; add a cup of TSP to each gallon of water you use. Using a garden hose with a high pressure nozzle or a pressure washer can substantially minimize the time it takes to rinse the area with fresh water afterward.

3. Check The Water Level - Swimming pool skimmers operate best when the level of pool water is approximately a third to a half of the way up the opening. Any higher than this and the water will usually stop the floating debris that should be passing through the opening unobstructed. Any lower than this and the skimmer will bottom out, which sucks air into the system and can potentially burn out your filter pump motor. Adjust water levels when required so they remain consistent.

4. Wipe Your Tiles Weekly - Cleaning your pool tiles will help to reduce grimy build-up over time. While you are doing this, also inspect the pool's perimeter and check in-between the tile and deck for cracking. If there are any cracks present, caulk the area with a small bead of clear silicon. It is important that you do this as soon as possible so further water cannot get into cracks and make the damage worse in the long run.

5. A Word On Safety - While everyone wants to enjoy the sun, it is crucial to remember that, when it comes to children, safety always comes first. It cannot be reiterated enough that safety is paramount; as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated in the past, "From 2005-2009, there were an average of 3,533 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) annually in the United States... Barriers, such as pool fencing, prevent young children from gaining access to the pool area without caregivers' awareness [and] reduces a child's risk of drowning 83%" Therefore, it is highly encouraged that you install fencing around the pool area that is hooked up to an alarm, so that fatal accidents can be avoided and your family remains safe to enjoy the summer sun fun.

For more tips and tricks on cleaning your swimming pool read this guide on how to vacuum a pool!