As the days get longer, the temperatures get hotter, and the desire to enjoy your swimming pool is surely growing. And, now that you’re officially a pool owner, you may wonder what pool maintenance is going to look like. At David Pool and Spa, we want all of our customers to be set up for success long term. That’s why we’ve put together this complete guide for first-time pool owners, as well as made it easier than ever to care for your pool with a water care subscription service, and in-house water testing, all paired with the expert knowledge our staff has of caring for fiberglass pools and spa. Let’s dive in!
Skimming the surface of the pool is a critical step in maintaining a clean pool. Debris, like leaves, bugs, and other small objects, can accumulate on the surface of the pool. Floating debris not only makes your pool look less inviting, but it can also taint your chemical balance and clog your filtration system. Use a skimmer net to remove these objects regularly. Next, brush the walls and vacuum the floor or set up an automatic pool vacuum to do the work for you.
In order to understand what your pool needs, you’ll have to test your water regularly. And, just like with anything else, the more consistent you are the better you will get at it. When using our test kits you are going to dip the test strips into the pool water, pull the strip out and wait 15s for the colors to settle. This will tell you how your water is doing. The things on our test strips will give you a high level overview. To get all the details about your water come into our shop at 2635 Faudree Rd. for free water testing and Alex and our staff will help create a plan to help get your pool to tip top shape and make your pool care as easy as 1-2-3.
You don’t have to have done well in those high school chemistry classes to be able to balance your pool’s water. It’s usually fairly simple, but one of the most important aspects of pool maintenance. The two most important levels to monitor are free chlorine and pH. Chlorine helps kill bacteria and other microorganisms that can make swimmers sick, while pH controls the acidity of the water which helps maintain comfort levels for swimmers and protects your equipment. Testing the water regularly and adding chemicals as needed is essential for proper pool maintenance.
Here’s a quick chart for reference:
With BioGuardⓇ’s three-step program or Mineral SpringsⓇ for salt systems, you can take all of the guesswork out of your pool maintenance routine.
Shocking the pool is the process of adding a high dose of chlorine to the pool to kill bacteria and other contaminants. It’s recommended to shock your pool once a week, especially if it gets a lot of use. When using regular shock it can take up to several hours until you can swim again but with BioGuard’s Smart ShockⓇ you will be able to swim in 15 minutes.
A pool filter removes dirt, debris, and other particles from the water, keeping it clean and clear. There are three main types of pool filters: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth (DE). Each type has its own maintenance requirements, but generally, you should clean or replace the filter every few weeks to keep it working efficiently. First-time pool owners may overlook this essential part of pool maintenance, but it’s actually one of the easiest and most important things to do to care for your pool.
The water level in your pool can fluctuate due to evaporation, splashing, and even large amounts of rain. It’s important to maintain the proper water level to prevent damage to the pool equipment and maintain the chemical balance of the water. Check the water level regularly and add water as needed to keep it at the recommended level.
The pool’s pump, filter, and skimmer basket all need to be cleaned regularly to maintain their efficiency. Dirty equipment can cause the pool to become cloudy or even green. Turn off the pool equipment and remove the skimmer basket to clean it. Check the pump and filter for debris, and clean or replace them as needed.
At David Pool and Spa, you’ll find not only everything you need for pool maintenance as a first-time pool owner but also the water care products and equipment you’ll need to keep your pool clean and efficient for years to come. And, if you ever need help getting your pool back on track, our Green to Clean pool service is available to you to bring your fiberglass pool back to its former glory. Contact us today to learn more about our water care products, subscription service, or any questions you have regarding caring for your fiberglass pool.
