Swimming pools require a fair amount of maintenance and attention in order to keep them sanitised and sparkling blue. Weekly maintenance includes testing the water, backwashing and rinsing, clearing out the weir basket, brushing the walls and floor of the pool, and skimming the leaves off the surface of the pool. Failing to keep up with this weekly maintenance routine could result in a green and unsanitised pool full of dirt and debris.
Here are the top 15 common pool maintenance mistakes that The Pool Team has identified.
- Adding too much chlorine
Adding more chlorine than recommended may seem like a good idea if the pool is green. However, this can make your pool cloudy. The Pool Team recommends adding chlorine in smaller doses each day rather than larger doses all at once. Watch this video to learn how to add chlorine to your pool.
- Adding chlorine at the wrong time of day
Adding chlorine at the wrong time of day is a common pool mistake. In order to get the most benefit out of the chlorine, it should be added in the late afternoon or the evening to prevent the sun’s harsh rays from consuming it before it has had a chance to sanitise the water. It is also preferable to add chlorine while the system is on to allow it to circulate evenly throughout the pool. Watch this video to learn how to add chlorine to your pool.
- Not testing the water before adding acid
A common pool mistake is to add acid to the water thinking it will maintain the pH and kill algae. However, it is vital to test the water before adding acid as acid is only used to reduce the pH and alkalinity – it cannot be used as an algaecide. Adding acid without testing the water first reduces not only the pH but also the Total Alkalinity as the alkalinity buffers the pH. Watch this video to learn how to add acid to your pool.
- Not backwashing often enough
The process of backwashing and rinsing may not seem necessary all that often, however, it is a vital part of weekly maintenance that should not be overlooked. Backwashing removes debris and bacteria that has been trapped in the filter, as well as cleans the sand. If regular backwashing is not done, the pool water will not circulate sufficiently and the sand will harden. Watch this video to learn how to backwash and rinse your pool.
- Not changing the filter sand
The filter sand hardens over time. When this happens, the pool water doesn’t circulate sufficiently as it is not able to filter through the sand adequately. This in turn has an effect on how the pool cleaner functions due to the reduction in water flow. It is recommended to change the filter sand every 18 to 24 months. Learn more here on the different types of filter sand.
- Not ensuring the correct Total Alkalinity levels for fiberglass and marbelite
The recommended Total Alkalinity levels differ for marbelite and fiberglass. It is important to take this into consideration when adding certain chemicals into the pool. This will ensure the pH and Total Alkalinity levels remain in balance. The recommended Total Alkalinity range for a fiberglass pool is between 120 – 150 ppm (parts per million) whereas the recommended range for a marbelite pool is between 80 – 120 ppm.
- Reducing the pH level too much
The recommended pH level in a swimming pool is between 7.2 and 7.6. When reducing the pH, it is a common mistake to overdose the water with acid, thus reducing the pH too much. The Pool Team recommends only using 250 ml of Aqua Pro Acid per dose. Furthermore, it is advised to retest the pH level once the water has been circulating for an hour in order to know if another dose is necessary or not. Watch this video to learn how to reduce the pH in a pool.
- Using the wrong type of floater
When it comes to chlorine floaters, it is best to alternate between a stabilised and non-stabilised floater. This will ensure the pool water does not become overstabilised. When cyanuric acid is compounded with chlorine, this creates stabilised chlorine. The benefit of stabilised chlorine is protection from the sun’s UV rays, keeping the chlorine in the pool for longer. Non-stabilised chlorine does not contain cyanuric acid, allowing the chlorine to react and dissolve quickly when added to the pool water. An overstabilised pool will render the chlorine and other chemicals less effective. In order to treat an overstabilised pool, the water level would need to be lowered and the pool should then be topped up with fresh water to dilute the stabiliser level. Learn more here about the different types of floaters.
- Adding too much Stabiliser
As mentioned above, an overstabilised pool will render the chlorine and other chemicals less effective. In order to treat an overstabilised pool, the water level would need to be lowered and the pool should then be topped up with fresh water to dilute the stabiliser level. It is therefore important to check the stabiliser level before administering Aqua Pro Ultra Violet to ensure the correct amount is added. The recommended stabiliser level in a pool is between 50 – 80 ppm (parts per million). The Pool Team recommends only rechecking the stabiliser level 3 days after administering the Aqua Pro Ultra Violet in order to get an accurate reading. Have your stabiliser levels tested by one of our professionals at any of The Pool Team stores. We offer complimentary water analysis at all our stores. Watch this video to learn how to add Aqua Pro Ultra Violet.
- Insufficient Circulation
One of the most important parts of maintaining a pool is running the pool pump for a sufficient amount of time. This is to ensure the water is adequately circulated around the pool in order to get the most benefit out of the chemicals that have been added. A general rule of thumb is to circulate the entire volume of water twice during summer and once during winter. Learn more here on how long to run your pool pump.
- Not removing metals
It is common amongst pool owners to fill their pools with borehole water. While this is cost effective, borehole water may contain high levels of metals which could potentially lead to staining of the pool floor and walls. To avoid staining, be proactive rather than reactive. Use the Aqua Pro Metal and Stain Remover to remove unwanted stains and metals from the water. Watch this video to learn how to add Aqua Pro Metal and Stain Remover.
- Not skimming the surface of the pool
Part of regular pool maintenance is manually skimming the leaves and debris off the surface of the pool. If these leaves are left to float for too long, they will eventually sink to the bottom of the pool and can potentially cause staining of the pool floor and walls. The Pool Team recommends using The Aqua Pro Leaf Skimmer or Aqua Pro Leaf Rake to remove these leaves at least once a week. The Aqua Pro Leaf Skimmer is a shallow net that can be used to skim the surface of the water, whereas the Aqua Pro Leaf Rake is a deeper net that can be used to skim leaves not only from the surface, but from the pool floor as well. Simply attach the leaf skimmer or leaf rake to the extendable pole and skim the surface of the pool, catching all the leaves in the net.
- Not brushing the walls and floor of the pool
Regular brushing of the floor and walls of the pool is a necessary task when it comes to maintaining a pool. Dust and debris accumulate in a pool and over time, settle to the pool floor. Brushing the dust away prevents it from staining the pool floor. It is also important to brush away bacteria from the walls of the pool in order to eliminate and prevent algae growth. Simply attach the Aqua Pro Curved Brush to the extendable pole and brush away all the dust and bacteria.
- Not cleaning the pump and weir baskets
Cleaning out the pump and weir baskets is an imperative part of pool maintenance that is often overlooked. This needs to be done on a weekly basis in order to avoid damage to the pump and the pool cleaner due to the debris restricting the water flow.
- Storing chemicals incorrectly
It is important to store pool chemicals under the appropriate conditions in order to maintain their efficacy and adhere to certain safety regulations. This includes not storing chemicals in direct sunlight and storing liquid and granular chemicals separately from each other. Learn more here about how to correctly store pool chemicals.
Contact a professional at any of The Pool Team stores for further advice on how to maintain your pool.