Savvy customers know to ask a few questions before committing to a purchase.
“This is a great car, but how many miles can it go per gallon?”
“I’d love to add an electric fireplace to my home, but will it drive up my energy bills?”
“A swimming pool would be a great addition to my backyard, but how much is it going to cost me, in terms of time and money, to clean and maintain it?”
We can’t speak to gas mileage or electricity charges, but swimming pools? That’s what we know best.
We actually love getting questions like this because it not only gives us a chance to show off some of our knowledge and expertise, but because it also lets us know that the client understands that the best things in life, like a private swimming pool in your own backyard, are well worth the effort they require to keep them in top condition.
And we also love to see the look of surprise on their face when we tell them that cleaning and maintaining your swimming pool water is way easier than you think. And no, you don’t have to hire a professional pool cleaning service (unless you want to).
Before we dive into the simple steps you can take to maintain a shimmering, glass-like, crystal-clear swimming pool, let’s talk a little bit about why it’s so important to keep your pool clean.
The Importance of a Clean Swimming Pool
Like a jewel in the center of your backyard, a gorgeous, clear, sparkling swimming pool is a joy to behold. Every time you look at it, you’ll get the urge to throw on a suit and jump in the water (your neighbors just might show up at your door, towel in hand, too).
But the importance of a pristine pool goes way beyond aesthetics. It’s also about hygiene and efficiency.
As you may know, water can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Just look at ponds. Left to themselves, they give rise to a teeming ecosystem of scum, critters, plants, and other forms of life. Good for nature, but definitely not the environment you want in your backyard.
A clean pool is a sanitized pool – one that is free of harmful bacteria and safe for everyone in your family to splash around in.
A clean pool is also an efficient pool. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So when it comes to chemically treating your pool, it’s far better (and cheaper) to take a preventive maintenance approach by regularly cleaning and maintaining it so it doesn’t need a larger-scale cleaning to clear up a backlog of dirt, debris, and other unwelcome gunk.
What’s more, contaminants and pollutants can actually damage the structure of your pool and all of its intricate parts. Chemical corrosion and mineral build-up are to your swimming pool what rust is to a classic car.
Avoid the hassle and expense of having to repair and rebuild parts of your pool by committing to good care and maintenance.
Secrets to Maintaining a Clean and Safe Swimming Pool
So what exactly does good care and maintenance look like? Is there a secret hack that simplifies things so you can minimize cleaning time and maximize fun-in-the-pool time?
Yes, there is! The secret is scheduling.
Creating and sticking to a regular pool cleaning and maintenance schedule is what will make it a breeze to enjoy crystal-clear swimming pool water every single day. Now, before you can create this schedule, you have to know what needs to get done. This part is pretty simple, too.
Your cleaning schedule should include the four key elements of your swimming pool:
- The water in the pool
- The interior wall or liner of the pool
- The pool’s filter system
- The pool’s system of skimmers and returns
Step-By-Step Pool Water Cleaning Instructions
So, how do you make sure the four elements mentioned above get the TLC they need? Here are the simple steps to take to create a pool cleaning schedule.
1. Test and Balance Your Water Chemicals Every Week
The health of your pool all comes down to chemistry. You have to keep an appropriate balance of chemicals to make sure the bacteria doesn’t take over and turn your pool into a swamp.
Start by testing your water. A water testing kit lets you see just what is (and isn’t) in your water.
You’re looking for a few key things:
- pH level: You want to see a number between 7.4 or 7.6, otherwise your pool water is too acidic (low pH level) or basic (high pH level).
- Alkalinity: You want to see a number between 100 to 150 parts per million (ppm). This guards against sudden swings in the pH level.
- Sanitizer levels: Numbers will vary according to what kind of sanitizer you use in your pool water, whether it’s chlorine, bromine, or something else.
With these numbers in hand, you can then start adding chemicals in the appropriate amounts to achieve just the right level of balance for crystal-clear pool water.
2. Skim, Brush and Vacuum Every Few Days
The floor, walls, and water of your pool all collect stuff as time passes. It can be big, visible stuff, like fallen leaves, twigs, and pet and human hair, as well as microscopic stuff, like bacteria and spores. Whatever “stuff” hangs around in your pool affects the chemicals and the balance. And the longer they’re left to fester, the worse it gets, creating cloudy water that is chemically unbalanced.
So your job is to dive right in and do three things:
- Skim the pool every other day
- Brush down the walls of the pool twice a week, minimum
- Vacuum the bottom of the pool twice a week, minimum
3. Check Your Pool Filter Regularly
The right pool filter will do a lot of the heavy lifting for you when it comes to cleaning. But because they take on so much work, you have to check in on them regularly to make sure nothing has gotten jammed in them.
They’re like an employee who works hard but can get off track easily—they’ll get a lot done but they need the proper oversight to ensure they’re doing things right.
Different pools have different filtering systems but in general, you want to clean them every month and replace them every year.
4. Shock your pool once a week
Every pool owner is destined to become an expert at shocking their swimming pool. Despite what the term suggests, it doesn’t involve zapping the water with electricity, but rather adding a healthy dose of chemicals to the pool in order to raise the chlorine level and kill off algae, bacteria, and other potentially nasty stuff.
Plan to shock your pool once a week. It’s also a good idea to shock the water after a lot of people have been in the pool (like after a party) or after a storm that has introduced a lot of rainwater to the mix.
Bonus tip: Only shock your pool at night. The chlorine doesn’t stand a chance against the sun’s powerful UV rays, so if you throw your chemicals in while it’s broad daylight, they’ll get zapped before they can work their magic.
More Helpful Tips and Tricks For Clear Pool Water
With your cleaning and maintenance schedule in place and humming along, you’re guaranteed a swimming pool that is well-balanced and so clear you can see straight to the bottom.
But if you want to take things a little further, there are a couple of extra tips and tricks to make your pool the absolute Platonic ideal of clarity and cleanliness.
Automatic Pool Cleaners
First is using an automatic pool cleaner. You can just drop this little robot pool cleaner into your pool and it goes to work trundling along the floor and walls of your pool, sucking up bits and pieces, so that when you go to do your weekly skimming and brushing, it’s a far easier (and quicker) task.
Tennis Balls
Next, throw some tennis balls into your pool’s skimmer basket or lob them straight into the swimming pool itself. Why? The green fuzzies work like a magnet, grabbing and hanging onto surface oils that can build up in your pool from sunscreen, beauty products, and other common contaminants.
DIY Filtration
Finally, find your oldest pair of pantyhose and repurpose them as a skimmer basket cover. This creates a second, ultra-fine layer of filtration that will do a much better job than your skimmer basket can on its own.
When to Add a Water Clarifier for Cloudy Pool Water
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your swimming pool water may appear cloudy even when the chemical levels are correct, the filter is clean, and the circulation system is functioning properly. In these instances, it’s essential to consider using a water clarifier.
Ideal Conditions for Using a Water Clarifier
- Normal Chemical Tests: When basic chemical tests such as chlorine levels come back normal.
- Optimal Filtration and Circulation: Your filtration system is clean, and water circulation is adequate.
When these conditions are met yet the cloudiness persists, a water clarifier should be your go-to solution. It aids in clumping the minuscual particles that are too fine for the filter system to catch. This clumping action makes it easier for the pool’s filtration system to trap and remove these particles from your pool water.
How to Use a Water Clarifier
- Choose the Right Clarifier: Opt for a trusted brand like Leslie’s Ultra Bright Advanced.
- Add the Clarifier: Follow the instructions on the product label.
- Run the Pump: After application, operate the pool pump at high speed continually.
Continue to run the pump until you notice that the water has returned to a crystal clear state. This may vary from a few hours to a day based on the extent of cloudiness and your pool’s system. By adhering to these guidelines, your pool water will regain its clarity and be inviting once more.
How Can Poor Circulation or Filtration Affect Pool Water Clarity?
Poor circulation and filtration are common culprits when it comes to cloudy pool water. Here’s how they impact clarity:
Understanding Circulation
Proper circulation is key to keeping pool water clean and clear. Water must move effectively through the pool’s filtration system to remove debris and distribute chemicals evenly. Without adequate circulation, areas of stagnant water can develop, allowing algae and bacteria to grow. This can cause the water to become cloudy and uninviting.
The Role of Filtration
The filtration system plays a critical role in maintaining the clarity of your pool water. It traps and removes fine particles that can cause cloudiness. If your filtration system is compromised due to clogged filters or worn-out filter media, it becomes less effective at capturing these particles. Common indicators of filtration issues include:
- High filter pressure: Check the filter’s pressure gauge regularly. A reading of 8-10 PSI above normal suggests that the filter is clogged and needs either cleaning or backwashing.
- Frequent cleaning needs: If you find yourself cleaning the filter more often than usual, this might be a sign that the filter media is worn out and needs to be replaced.
Solutions to Improve Circulation and Filtration
- Clean Regularly: Regularly clean out pump strainer baskets and skimmer baskets to prevent clogs that can impair circulation.
- Check and Maintain Equipment: Inspect your pump and filtration system. If the filter pressure is high, clean or backwash the filter as recommended by the manufacturer. Replace worn filter media like sand, cartridges, or diatomaceous earth (DE) powder.
- Ensure Optimal Flow: Make sure the return jets are properly positioned to aid in optimal water movement throughout the pool.
By addressing issues in circulation and filtration, you can significantly improve the clarity of your pool water, enhancing both its appearance and quality for a better swimming experience.
Understanding Calcium Hardness in Your Pool Water
Calcium hardness refers to the concentration of dissolved calcium in your pool water. Maintaining the right balance is crucial for both the longevity of your pool surfaces and equipment. Here’s what you need to know:
Why It Matters
- Low Calcium Hardness: Can lead to etching of plaster finishes and reduce the life of vinyl liners.
- High Calcium Hardness: Can cause calcium deposits to form on pool surfaces and equipment.
Optimal Levels
- Concrete Pools: 200-250 parts per million (ppm)
- Vinyl Pools: 175-225 ppm
Balancing Calcium Hardness
If your calcium hardness levels are too high, you’ll need to take specific steps to bring them down. Here are some methods to consider:
- Dilute the Pool Water: Partially drain your pool and refill it with fresh water. This helps lower the overall calcium concentration.
- Use a Flocculant: Products like aluminum sulfate can help gather the calcium, making it easier to vacuum out.
- Add a Sequestering Agent: These agents bind with the calcium, preventing it from depositing on surfaces and equipment.
- Reverse Osmosis: This advanced method effectively reduces calcium and other impurities. Note that it’s more expensive but highly efficient.
Seeking Professional Advice
Unsure about balancing your pool’s calcium hardness? Consulting a pool professional can provide you with the best strategies tailored to your specific needs. They can recommend effective treatments and ongoing maintenance practices.
Identifying the Source of Metals in Pool Water
Determining the origin of metals in your pool water is crucial for maintaining a clean and safe swimming environment. Here’s how you can effectively identify and manage metal contamination:
Common Sources of Metals
- Water Supply: Metals like iron and copper can enter your pool from your home’s water supply. If you have well water, this is a common issue.
- Pool Equipment: Old or poorly maintained pool equipment, such as pipes, heaters, and pumps, might corrode and release metals into the water.
- Chemical Additives: Certain algaecides and sanitizers contain metal compounds which can leave residues in the pool.
- Environmental Factors: Metals can also enter the pool from external sources such as rain, dust, and debris.
Steps to Identify Metal Sources
- Conduct a Water Test:
- Use a comprehensive pool water testing kit to measure the levels of various metals.
- Look for specific indicators like high levels of iron, copper, or manganese.
- Inspect Pool Equipment:
- Check for any visible signs of corrosion or rust on pool fixtures and components.
- Replace or repair parts that are deteriorating.
- Consult a Professional:
- If you’re unsure about the source, a pool professional can provide valuable insights.
- They can conduct more detailed tests and offer solutions tailored to your pool’s needs.
Regular Maintenance Tips
- Use a Stain and Scale Remover: Regular application helps prevent the build-up of metal deposits.
- Install a Metal Sequestrant: These products bind with metals, preventing them from staining and scaling.
- Routine Water Changes: Periodically draining and refilling the pool can help dilute metal concentrations.
By understanding where metals in your pool might be coming from and taking the necessary steps to address these sources, you can keep your pool water crystal clear and inviting.
Signs It’s Time to Check the Water Chemistry
Even the best laid plans sometimes fail and the same holds true for your swimming pool. Despite sticking to a thorough care and maintenance schedule, sometimes your water chemistry can get out of whack anyway. Heatwaves and rainstorms are common culprits.
How will you know if your water chemistry needs to be brought back in line? There are a few telltale signs.
Algae
Algae is hard to miss. It builds upon the floor and walls of the pool and drifts in weird little spots and clumps on the surface of the water.
Whether it’s from poor water circulation, a wonky pH level, a malfunctioning pool filter, or something else, it needs to be treated right away because no one likes to get out of the pool looking like a swamp thing, with bits of green hanging off them.
Cloudy or Discolored Water
As soon as your water starts looking opaque or less than crystal clear, it’s time to break out the water testing kit. Cloudy water can be caused by many things, and the test kit will help you pinpoint exactly where things have gotten off track.
Mysteriously Low Water Levels
If you find that you have to continually add water to your swimming pool, it’s likely you have a leak somewhere that needs to be addressed. Where chemicals come into play is if you’ve been adding new water (typically from a garden hose), you’ve probably been diluting the existing chemicals and reducing their efficacy.
Clear or Pink Slime
Once again, the garden hose is often at the root of this pool issue. It’s easy for gunk to build up inside the hose, out of sight, and the slimy, bacterial mess gets transferred straight into the pool when you top it up.
Strong Chlorine Smell
Here’s a fun fact: when chlorine is used in the proper amount and is effectively sanitizing your swimming pool, it doesn’t really have a smell. So if you can smell the chlorine in your pool from down the block, it’s a sign that the chemicals in the water aren’t properly balanced.
How Can I Keep My Pool Clean Without Chemicals?
Maintaining a clean pool doesn’t always have to involve chemicals. Here are some effective, natural ways to keep your pool sparkling:
Regular Skimming and Scrubbing
- Skim the Surface Daily: Use a pool net to remove leaves, grass, and other debris from the water’s surface.
- Scrub the Walls Weekly: Algae and grime can build up on the pool walls. Regular scrubbing prevents this and keeps the pool looking clean.
Utilize Natural Pool Covers
- Install a Pool Cover: A good pool cover can prevent debris from entering the pool in the first place. Cover the pool when it’s not in use to minimize the need for cleaning.
Use a Pool Vacuum
- Automatic or Manual Vacuums: Vacuuming the pool floor can help remove dirt and debris that settle at the bottom, ensuring the pool remains clean.
Incorporate Natural Filtration Systems
- Sand Filters: These are effective in filtering out small particles naturally.
- Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filters: This natural mineral can provide high-quality filtration without the need for chemicals.
Maintain Proper Water Circulation
- Run the Pool Pump: Ensure your pool pump is running efficiently to keep water moving and reduce the chances of stagnation, which can lead to algae growth.
Regularly Test Pool Water
- Test and Adjust pH Levels: Keeping an eye on the pH levels of your pool can help maintain a natural balance, making it less hospitable for bacteria and algae.
By combining these natural methods, you can enjoy clean, clear pool water without the need for chemicals.
Pool Service at Van Dorn Pools & Spas
Turn your backyard into an oasis with a swimming pool from Van Dorn Pool and Spas. Our dedicated and knowledgeable agents will walk you through the process, from selecting the perfect pool for your space and lifestyle, all the way through to installation and upkeep.
Looking for more information? Check out our fully-loaded FAQ section for detailed answers to the most common questions about swimming pools. Or dive into our blog, which features extensive, customer-friendly information on all the ways you can upgrade your backyard with a pool, hot tub, or swim spa.
