Pool maintenance: How to maintain and clean your pool. 12 useful tips!

Pool cleaning and maintenance for all year round use

In the summer, almost all of us enjoy our baths and dips in some kind of pond, artificial or not, but… so that the fun does not turn into displeasure, it is necessary to maintain the pool before, during and after use, without waiting for that last moment.

In this reference guide we will see everything you need to understand how to clean a swimming pool (called Alberca in Mexico or Pileta in Argentina), its products, hygiene, the subject of purification, accessories and much more, all in detail!

Components and parts of a swimming pool

We cannot practice a disinfection and hygiene of a swimming pool or a pool if we do not know the system that makes it work and the volume, at least, in schematic mode. So we leave a small drawing that reflects the standard operating system of traditional pools that anyone can have installed in your garden:

In the installation, the water flow of the pool will be sucked by the pump, it will pass through the filter (elimination of external elements such as leaves and impurities), then through the electrolytic cell (this mechanism is not always present) where the electrolysis process takes place and finally the disinfected water returns to the pool.

How to calculate the volume of water in a swimming pool?

This aspect is important to be able to choose the treatment to measure with the chemical products to apply, the necessary pump, the filters and skimmers. In the following scheme we can test how to calculate the liters of a rectangular, oval or round pool:

Let’s remember that the result will be in cubic meters of water, ie. How many liters fit in the glass? It does not matter if it is a pool made of fiberglass and pilyester resin, smooth concrete with the typical colored tiles, the value will be the same for the models of:

Pool volume calculator

Circular Pool
Pool Rectangular/Square
Pool Oval

Diametre (m):

Average Depth (m):

Length (m):

Width (m):

Average Depth (m):

Length (m):

Width (m):

Average Depth (m):

Volume: – m³

Total liters: – l

• Volume of a rectangular pool. It is calculated by multiplying: Length x Width x Average depth.
• Volume in a round pool. It is calculated by multiplying: Diameter x Average depth x Coefficient (0.785).
• Volume of an oval pool. It is calculated by multiplying: Length x Width x Average Depth x Coefficient (0.89)

Total liters of water = (Our data calculated Volume) m3 x 1.000 Liters/m3 = Total liters of water that the pool has.

And arrived at this point, it touches to see how a swimming pool is cleaned and what we have to take into account…

Swimming pool maintenance

In this section we provide an outline and explain the steps to be carried out, whether you have practiced the“winterization” (referring to the chemical treatment to maintain the pool during the winter), or not, the tasks would be:

Set-up

At this point you’re probably thinking, why do I have to bother scrubbing or cleaning when I add chlorine or other sanitizing chemicals to the water? It’s a valid question, and we have an answer.

Think of it this way. When you shower, you use shampoo and soap, which are cleaning agents. But does your bathtub stay clean indefinitely? Of course it doesn’t. Shampoo and soap are for cleaning your body, not tile, porcelain or fiberglass. In pool cleaning, it’s the same thing.

Chemicals will not keep leaves and bugs out of the water, nor will they keep the walls and floor clean indefinitely.

In addition to using chlorine or other chemicals to maintain the cleanliness of the pool, it is also absolutely necessary to practice regular and thorough disinfection of the construction itself.

In the set-up of a small or large pool, there are a number of steps that we should verify and practice consistently:

1. Clean the walls and bottom of the pool
2. Wash the filtering system in depth and the skimmers.
3. Refill the pool, minus 1/3 of the water each year.
   
4. Regulate the pH value of the pool water (it has to be between 7.2 and 7.6).
5. To apply the treatment for the water, either of chlorine or salt. Including if necessary against limescale.
6. Keep the water clear and free of algae (apply flocculation).

In a more complete way with images we see how to clean pools step by step:

.

The ideal pH for pool water is between 7.2 and 7.6, with the optimal value being 7.4.

Maintaining the pH of the pool between 7.2 and 7.6 is essential to ensure the quality of the water, the health of bathers and the proper functioning of the chemicals used for treatment.

• A pH too low (acidic) can cause:
  • Irritation of the eyes and skin of bathers.
  • Corrosion of pool equipment.
  • Difficulties in the action of chlorine.
• A too high pH (basic) can cause:
  • Formation of incrustations on the walls and bottom of the pool.
  • Turbidity of the water.
  • Reduction of chlorine efficiency.

And remember, we have an article with the most original pools that will undoubtedly surprise you! Now, it’s time for the installations…

Filtration and water circulation

The filtration system in a swimming pool is not so complicated but we must understand the function of each element; Skimmers, the sump, suction nozzle, impulsion nozzles, the pump, the valve, the prefilter and filter, the electrical panel and the piping system.

The filtration system are several devices that are responsible for clarifying the water and filtering it by retaining those particles that we do not want them to be and returning a totally clean water. The characteristics are:

It should be noted that in the maintenance of removable pools, prefabricated or small, not always present such a complex circulation system. Here it plays what we have spent in the construction or purchase.

How to maintain the filtering system of a swimming pool?

The place and location of the pool – swimming pool. We will have a higher maintenance if it is surrounded by trees, grass or sand, than if it is surrounded by concrete or wood, or if they are protected with pergolas or enclosed – automatic covers in the garden. (See article enclosures of terraces, with useful tips and pergolas in the garden).

The time that the purifier will be running depends on the motor, the filter, the volume of the pool (m3) and the season of use… How many hours should the pool pump be running?

At a minimum we should run all the water through the filter once during the day

🟧 If we want a more precise calculation of running hours it would be:

• Pool volume (m³) / Flow rate moved by the pump per hour (m³/h) = Pump operating hours.
• If the flow rate is given in liters per hour (l/h) = Pool volume (m³) / (Pump flow rate in l/h ÷ 1,000) = Pump operating hours.

In general, it is advisable to run the pool pump between 6 and 8 hours per day, dividing the time into two or three periods during the day (morning and evening). Factors to consider:

• Water purification should be during the day, when algae proliferate due to sunlight.
• The purifier should run less than 8h to filter all the water; otherwise, a more powerful pump is required.
• Water temperature: In warm climates or with more use of the pool, it may be necessary to increase the filtering time.
• Presence of dirt: If it is very dirty or there is algae present, the filtering time should be increased.
• Type of filter: Sand filters require more operating time than cartridge filters.

The pump may be the most important element of the entire installation. The amount of water that it is capable of sucking and impelling is called “flow rate” and it will be in relation to the volume of the pool:

The size of the filter should go in relation to the power of the basin pump as we see in the picture above.

In modern pools we find the 6-way valve or tap next to the filter that controls the different maintenance operations in the circuit; washing, rinsing, emptying, recirculation or by-pass…etc. To understand its operation we leave the following scheme:

In filter maintenance. It should be borne in mind that the slower the flow rate of water passing through the filter, the better the filtering...How to maintain and what to consider when using filters?

• Sand filters: backwash the filter when the pressure increases from 8 PSI to 10 PSI from the initial reading.
• Diatomaceous earth filters: follow the filter instructions for backwashing.
• Cartridge filter: clean the filter following the filter instructions.

In water circulation

• Make sure all equipment is working properly and in place.
• Turn on the pump and filter at least 4 to 8 hours per day.
• Clean the filter with chemicals at least twice each season.
• Clean collection baskets and hair and lint strainers (on pump).

Pool cleaners

• Manual pool cleaners. This is the cheapest option but requires more physical effort and time. They are also not suitable for removing those very small particles that cannot be retained by the filter.
• Battery and hydraulic pool cleaners. These are capable of moving in the basin autonomously. They are not a good choice for those vessels with a steep slope as they are designed for shallow and flat bottoms.
• Electric cleaners. This is the most expensive option and they are suitable for all types of surfaces, they can even go up the vessel walls. They are quite silent and can be programmed, the cleaning is more effective.

How often should you maintain your pool?

Water is balanced when it is actually clean. The following table gives some practical advice on the levels for a stable maintenance of your pool:

<

To clarify the acceptable values in the chemical parameters of the water we provide the following table (Remember that these values are indicative and never replace the local standards, if they apply)

More complete parameters of how the pool water should be:

IMPORTANT: We provide some advice on how to use and instructions for the application of chemical products for the treatment of swimming pools:

🟧 Good practice tips before the pool water:

• Can I use water from a well to fill the pool? Well water can become cloudy and change color when chlorine or active oxygen is added. It is recommended to use a sand filter and iron removal product.
• Can I use the pool water for irrigation? Not recommended, but if used, make sure the disinfectant is at zero. It is better to store it temporarily in a tank until the chlorine degrades.
• Is the water hard (chalky) or soft? Water hardness is measured in French degrees (°f) and varies by region. For hard water, use product to prevent scale deposits and protect the pool.

Calculator and maintenance app

There are some tools that can be useful to us. For example, the following calculator to correct water parameters in relation to the volume of the pool is simple and effective. We can see it from HERE.

Also for mobiles there are options, but, in Spanish, there is very little. It is a calculator for pools in simple mode, which for many is enough.

The pool app SafePool365 is directly one of the best: You can find it in the store for Android and for iOS from HERE.

As we can see in the following image, the settings are simple but we will have a complete overview of how the pool is and what solutions we can adopt with this pool App.

Most common pool problems and possible solutions

In the following scheme we will see the most common anomalies treatments and possible corrections or solutions. Remember that there are also the professionals or specialized stores that will be able to advise us properly about a problem.

What to do in case of heavy rain or storm?

Since rain is “contaminated”, it could destabilize the pH and alkalinity of the water. Recommendations are:

• Initial cleaning: brush the sides of the pool and remove impurities with a net. Clean the skimmer baskets and wash the filter.
• Parameter adjustment: Check and adjust the TAC to a value above 80 mg/L and adjust the pH between 7.0 and 7.4.
• Chlorine level: Check chlorine level and shock treat if necessary. Flocculate if the pool has a sand filter.
• Continuous filtration: Leave the filter running 24 hours until the water is crystal clear.

What to do in case of a strong heat wave?

As the temperature increases, so does the risk of proliferation of bacteria and microorganisms. The recommendations are:

• Frequent pH check: Check pH 2 to 3 times a week and adjust to between 7.0 and 7.4.
• Maintain chlorine level: Regularly check the chlorine level and maintain it between 1 and 2 mg/L, supplementing with shock disinfectant if necessary.
• Anti-algae treatment: Perform a weekly treatment.
• Extended filtration: Keep the filter running 24 hours a day until the water temperature drops below 28 °C.

Pool guides and manuals to learn more

• If you have any doubt when it comes to water quality, remember that since the Royal Decree 742/2013, of September 27, establishing the technical health criteria for swimming pools are the official data. In its lower part there is an annex – table on“Parameters indicators of water quality“.
• Swimming pool self-monitoring program guide from the Community of Madrid… We can see from QUI.
• From a catalog – technical guide from Poolaria with very useful and well detailed information in a step by step style… Look from HERE.
• Practical guide of Blue Quin from HERE.

If you liked the article, share it!