Many people dream of owning their own pool, but what happens once you purchase your pool and realize you don't fully know how to take care of it? How do you keep it clean and make sure all the equipment is properly running?
There are so many different aspects of keeping a pool running well, it can sometimes get complicated and confusing. Luckily, there are articles like this one, written to help you get started on your journey through pool ownership and learn how to take care of an above-ground pool.
Your above ground pool maintenance can be broken down into three very basic segments:
Some people are able to pay to have professionals handle this kind of pool care for them, but many people prefer to save the money and do it themselves. An important aspect to remember is that it doesn't have to be incredibly difficult, and in time you'll know exactly what to do for any given problem you may come across.
Getting started
Once you've gotten the walls and flooring of your pool set up, as well as the water added, it's time to take a look at the equipment and items you receive in your pool setup kit. The first thing you'll want to do is make sure the pump on your above ground pool is working correctly. Essentially, water should be drawn from the pool and through the pipes, cleaned and then returned back to the pool. If that's working correctly, then you're well on your way to the next steps.
Next, you'll want to make sure your water is clean. You can check the water by using a testing strip which will tell you what adjustments you may need to make to get the pool cleaner and clear.
Once you've done that, take a look at the chemicals included in your pool start-up kit to find what you need. Make sure to follow the instructions for all chemicals.
It's a good idea to start off with a shock treatment, which means adding a lot of sanitizing chemicals to the pool in a short amount of time. This “shocks” any bacteria in the pool, working to dissolve it quickly. This method provides a great starting point for maintaining the cleanliness of your pool.
Weekly Above Ground Pool Maintenance
There are several things you'll need to do in order to stay on top of the weekly maintenance of your above ground pool. While doing these weekly tasks may seem like a hassle, it's going to be a lot easier to keep up with the maintenance than it will be to clean a pool that has turned green and filled itself with algae and bacteria.
The first thing you should do is test the water using one of your test strips to check the balance of chemicals in the pool. If you need to add any of those chemicals or distribute a shock treatment, then go ahead and do that.
Next, it would be a good idea to clean the pool. Use your skimmer, brush, or above ground pool vacuum to give the pool a good cleaning. This will make the overall task easier, rather than waiting and having more debris to clean out.
Also, make sure to clean out the baskets in the skimmer and pump, and do a quick check of all the pool equipment to make sure everything is working correctly. If you need to add or drain water, this would also be a great time to do that.
Monthly Above Ground Pool Maintenance
One of the most important purposes of the weekly maintenance is to make the monthly maintenance easier. Nobody wants to spend hours on end cleaning out their pool and fixing any problems.
Checking your above ground pool regularly will limit the amount of time you spend fixing and adjusting. During your monthly checks, it's a good idea to start by cleaning out your pool filter in whichever fashion is appropriate for the kind of pool filter you have.
You'll also want to do a slightly more thorough check of your equipment to make sure everything is working correctly. If you have a salt chlorine generator, also make sure to check to see if there is enough salt in your water. If there isn't, add more until you reach the ideal level.
Also make sure to check your ozonator, ionizer, or mineralizer to make sure they are working correctly. If not, this is a good time to fix them.
Also make sure to lubricate all of the O-rings involved in your pool's system. Typically, you should also go through the weekly maintenance processes as well during this checkup, so don't forget to do that.
Conclusion
Overall, above ground pool maintenance is going to be an incredibly important part of owning your above ground pool. Without that maintenance, your pool can become victim to bacteria, algae, and even water-dwelling insects. This can have annoying effects at best and damaging ones at worst on your pool.
Nobody wants to spend the kind of money that a pool requires only for it to become overrun with unpleasant growths and be rendered an eyesore that nobody wants to swim in.
Luckily, maintenance doesn't have to be terribly difficult if you stay on top of it. If you get started with your equipment properly set up and your pool water freshly cleaned with the use of a shock treatment, it will only take an hour or two weekly and monthly in order to make sure everything continues running smoothly.
You're likely to only need to make slight adjustments in order to make sure your above ground pool continues to be something enjoyable for you and anyone else who may make use of it. It's a necessary habit to get into, and in no time at all you'll know just what to do to keep your pool working perfectly.