Whether you’ve owned a pool for a while or just took the plunge and had one installed, maintenance is crucial. Your pool has a whole secret network of equipment that works hard, so you can enjoy splashing around and savoring swim season. Here’s the easiest guide to pool maintenance dos and don’ts to help you keep your backyard’s biggest asset in great condition year-round.
Do: Run Your Pump Each Day
Running your pool pump ensures the water stays clean, but only if you run it long enough each day. Every drop of water in your pool has to run through the pump at least once each day. This is called “turnover.” Without proper turnover, your pool water isn’t purified, and you can be exposed to bacteria, which also leads to mold and algae growth.
Don’t: Let the Water Line Drop Below the Skimmer
The rectangular opening in your pool wall is called the skimmer, and it’s like a built-in monitor that makes life easier for you. If the water line goes beneath it, you need to refill it.
When water drops below the skimmer, your pump begins to suck in air instead of water, causing two major issues. First, your pool pump is straining to work, and without water to cool down the motor, it can burn up. Second, none of the water in your pool is getting sucked into the skimmer and filtered, which means it’s not clean.
Do: Clean Your Pool Filter Regularly
Your pool filter, like your AC filter, needs to be routinely cleaned to stay in good condition. Fortunately, your pool filter doesn’t have to be cleaned quite as often.
To clean it properly, you need to understand the material. If you have a sand or DE (diatomaceous earth) filter, you will need to backwash it whenever the pressure manual reads eight to 10 PSI above its clean range.
If you have a cartridge filter, take the cartridge out every few weeks and rinse it off with the hose. You will want to replace the cartridge every two to four years, depending on how dirty it gets and what model you have.
Don’t: Attempt Pool Equipment Repairs Alone
A faulty pump or a broken motor is no job for anyone but a professional. Leave your equipment to the professionals so that you can avoid safety risks and costly damage from DIY repairs gone wrong.
Whenever you need pool equipment services for your home in River Vale, NJ, call us at The Pool Company.