The biggest downside to owning a swimming pool is maintenance. Pumps, filters, chemicals, water balance and on and on. Admit to owning a pool and the first comment is "isn't it a lot of work?" It doesn't have to be. You can set up a routine that takes just a few minutes several times a week and keep your pool clean, clear and inviting any time you want to use it. Here's how:
Step 1, Water Balance
This is the most important step. When you open the pool in the spring make the effort to make sure your pool water is in the proper range for pH and total alkalinity. These parameters work together to maintain a stable water balance that will make pool care much easier. The correct pH range is 7.2 to 7.6. Total alkalinity is ideal at about 180 ppm. Below 100ppm and above 400ppm can be trouble.
Step 2, Sanitize
The pool water is properly balanced so it's time to add sanitizer. The idea is to maintain a minimum of 1.5 to 3ppm of chlorine at all times. This level is high enough to suppress the growth of bacteria and algae, the primary villains in ugly pool water. The most popular form for chlorine is tablets or sticks. Add them to the skimmer basket or automatic feeder. Since water flow is necessary to dissolve tablets or sticks a floating feeder is not all that effective.
Step 3, Shock
In addition to regular chlorination, weekly shocking or raising the chlorine level to 5ppm is a great way to make sure contaminants don't build up and cause problems. It's also a good idea to shock after the pool has had heavy use as this helps replenish chlorine so problems don't get started.
Step 4, Algae Control
A properly balanced and sanitized pool should never have an algae problem. To make sure, add algaecide weekly according the maker's instructions just in case.
Here's the schedule
1. Every other day test the pool water. Use test strips or a DPD kit and measure free chlorine, pH and total alkalinity. Add chemicals if necessary.
2. Once a week add algaecide and shock.
REMEMBER-FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CHEMICALS USED EXACTLY. NEVER ADD WATER TO CHEMICALS, ADD CHEMICALS TO WATER.
That's all there is to it. Both Step 1 and Step 2 should take no more than 5-10 minutes for a grand total of about 40-50 minutes a week maintaining your pool! Better still, if the program is followed correctly the pool will always be ready to use.
