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Maintenance Checklist:
Vinyl Liner: Check for holes or
tears and make any needed repairs as soon as possible. The primary
function of the vinyl liner is to hold water. If it is properly
maintained, it can last for a very long time. Patch tears or holes
promptly, before they get any bigger, following the instructions of
your pool’s manufacturer. If you are not sure about how to make the
repair, call or go to your local pool supplier for help or consult a
swimming pool maintenance company.
Keep your pool liner clean. Dirt and other fine materials accumulate
at the waterline. Remove this buildup frequently by gently scrubbing
it with a soft cloth and vinyl cleaner. You can also use a mop or a
brush specially designed for your type of pool liner.
Concrete or Gunite: Check for cracks and repair any cracks
you find within the season. Checking for cracks should be a standard
part of regular maintenance. It’s especially important to check for
cracks at the beginning and end of the swimming season. Cracks often
develop from ground shifts. Water may be lost as well. Repair cracks
in accordance with guidelines on the product label or instructions
from the manufacturer.
Fiberglass: Hairline cracks are normal; inspect for other
damage. Hairline cracks often occur in fiberglass over a period of
time. Since fiberglass pools have a gel coating, hairline cracks do
not tend to leak or affect the integrity of the pool. If you see a
major crack or damage, however, call a fiberglass pool specialist.
Motor and Pump: Check the seals. The motor and pump are the
most important parts of the filtration system. Check the seals
regularly to make sure none are torn or damaged. If a seal is torn,
replace it at once. As with all power equipment, always turn off the
power and unplug the unit before working on it. Also, never turn on
the pump without water or you will damage it.
Sand Filter Tank: Check for depletion. Although the sand
filter is virtually maintenance free, you will want to check
periodically for depletion, especially when winterizing your pool.
If there is depletion, you’ll need to replace the lost sand. Be sure
to add the proper grade of sand to the filter tank.
Skimmer or Strainer Baskets: During swimming season, clean
these daily. Be sure to look in the skimmer basket before putting
your hand inside or dumping out the contents. Rats, frogs, snakes,
and other creatures have ended up in skimmer baskets. A
not-quite-dead stinging scorpion might be next!
Pool Vacuum Cleaner: Before use, inspect the head and handle.
Vacuum once or twice a week. Your filtration system should be able
to collect most of the debris from your swimming pool water. Some
debris, however, will settle on the bottom of your pool, and you
will need to use a pool vacuum to remove it. Several different types
of vacuums are available. Before you use your vacuum cleaner, make
sure the head is not damaged and the handle is not loose. Damaged
equipment can damage your pool. You should check for debris and
vacuum at least once each week. Sometimes you may need to vacuum
twice a week.
Automatic Cleaners: These wonderful gadgets help keep debris
out of the pool in between major cleanups and maintenance of the
pool’s interior. They even reduce the need to vacuum twice a week.
Leaf Rake: Use when opening and closing your pool. A pool
leaf rake is not an absolutely essential tool, but it is excellent
for removing leaves that have sunk to the bottom of your pool. It
comes in handy!
Water: An obviously essential ingredient in your pool, water
clarity and pH must be checked regularly. As a pool owner, you are
responsible for keeping the water in proper chemical balance. The
four factors to consider when setting a maintenance schedule are
filtration, circulation, pH, and sanitization.
The chemicals you add to the water will not work well without an
efficient filtration system. Good circulation is equally as
important as good filtration. Many swimming pool owners have the
water circulate continuously in the pool; however, you can achieve
the required amount of circulation time, generally six hours, by
installing a timer.
Maintaining the proper pH of the water is critical for both swimmers
and pool equipment. A pH level between 7.4 and 7.6 is ideal. The pH
level of your water should be checked each week. Sanitizing your
pool water is also important in maintaining balance, as it stops the
growth of bacteria and algae. Generally, oxidizing equipment
containing chlorine is used in sanitizing the water.
Safety: Rescue equipment should be easily accessible near the
pool and well maintained. The equipment should be appropriate,
durable, and easy to use.
All equipment should be checked before the swimming season begins
and again before it is stored for the winter. In addition, all
equipment used in pool maintenance should be checked before use to
make sure that it is operational and safe.
Post emergency numbers by the pool.
Keep the bottom of the pool visible.
Regular Maintenance: Establish and follow a schedule.
Swimming pool owners should maintain their pools well and keep them
clean. A properly maintained pool is fun to use because it is clean
and safe for everyone. If you regularly follow a maintenance
schedule for checking and correcting the chemistry of your pool
water, you will be able to easily keep your pool sparkling clean all
year. |
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