No matter what the season, you’ll want to make your home swimming pool looking its best. Whether you have it in use in the warmer spring and summer months, you want it looking good even in the depths of winter, or you use it daily to keep yourself in tip-top condition: you need to take care of this investment.
As a homeowner, it’s vital you keep all aspects of your house well maintained so you can avoid costly repair bills in the future – and your pool should be no different. So, what should you be doing? Here are just some of the regular tasks you’ll need to do so your swimming pool stays looking good.
Clear any debris
If you’re clearing your pool after the fall and winter seasons, you’ll have to get rid of detritus such as leaves, dirt and general weather build-up from on and around your swimming area. You should blow away any leaves and other debris from the surrounding deck or patio, and the pool cover itself (if you have one).
If there is any water on top of your pool cover, then use a pump to remove it. This is so the water from the cover doesn’t go into your pool water.
Check your water
Once you’ve taken off your pool cover, you’ll need to check the skimmer water level. This is so you can see if the water is in the middle of the skimmer opening for proper circulation, so the water pump can work properly. Add water if you need to bring up those levels – and, when waiting for this to happen, have a check of items such as handrails, ladders, diving boards and slides in case there are any potentially unsafe conditions.
If you’re preparing your pool after the winter and you need to start up the pump, then check the pH levels of your water after the pump has been running for 8 to 12 hours. Fill a test tube from a pH kit with water retrieved about 18 inches from the surface and away from the pump inlet. When doing the test, don’t cover up the tube with your finger: oil from your hands can compromise the results. If needed, add chemicals in the correct order to balance the water.
Make your pool look smart
Sometimes, you will need to do a little more than basic maintenance to your pool to make it look good. If your swimming area is starting to require a bit of TLC, then you could consider resurfacing it.
You may need a specialist to do this type of task, such as a residential pool resurfacing company in Orlando that can make yours look like new. Resurfacing may mean work such as removing damaged elements, applying a new finish and, if required, acid washing.
If you’re not sure if your pool needs to be resurfaced, you’ll need to look for signs including stains that continue to grow, stains that can’t be moved, leaks, or any coarse textures. If you spot these, then you’ll need to contact a pool renovation specialist.
It might be a good idea to speak with a pool resurfacing expert if you’re looking to sell your house. That’s because having a pool can boost your home’s value by 7%, so make sure you can maximize your property’s potential.
