Maintenance Tips For Your Florida Swimming Pool
Having a swimming pool in Florida is one feature that most home buyers look for and owners enjoy having. Pool owners in the Sunshine State don’t have to worry too much about protecting their pools from freezing during the winter months. You also won’t have any difficulty with getting it back up in the spring after a period of inactivity.
Although you are at an advantage because you live in Florida, one crucial part of owning a pool is pool maintenance. Without proper maintenance, you could face several unpleasant conditions such as algae growth, broken filters, dirty water, and the like, that would make the pool unsafe and unusable. Of course, we can’t have that happening to your pool, so here are some guidelines for proper Florida pool maintenance:
The Do’s of Pool Maintenance
- Water Levels: Top off the water in your pool regularly if you notice the water level has dropped. Topping off the water level regularly will reduce strain on the pump.
- Maintenance: Skim the surface of your pool using a net to remove dirt and debris every few days. This keeps the water clean
- Circulation: Run your pump once or twice a week for a few hours for an efficient pool circulation system
- Filtration: Study the difference in flow between the pressure gauge and flow meter and clean out your filter when the difference is between 10 and 15 pounds per square inch.
- Cleaning: Use a vacuum to remove debris weekly. This will keep your pool water clear and reduce the amount of chemicals you would need to add.
- Chemicals: Test your pool water regularly to maintain appropriate chemical levels. Appropriate chlorine is between 1 and 3 ppm, and pH levels are around 7.2- 7.6.
- Draining: Drain your pool annually or according to your manufacturer’s advice. Always turn off your pump before draining
The Don’ts of Pool Maintenance
- Chemicals: don’t add chemicals to your pool when it’s hot outside. If you want to treat your pool, do it in the evening.
- Cleaning: don’t use a hard or stiff brush when cleaning unless your pool is lined with plaster. If your pool has tile, vinyl, or fiberglass walls, use a soft-bristled brush.
- Circulation: don’t leave your pump on all the time to avoid stress and a resultant overheating.
- Draining: don’t leave your pool empty for too long. Pools get used to the pressure and weight of water and if the water is taken away for a long time it can damage the floors, walls, and liners of your pool
- Filtration: don’t clean your filter too often as few particles in your filter can help it trap more debris.
- Water Levels: don’t ignore water loss from your pool. It might be due to evaporation, but could also be a result of leakage.
- Maintenance: don’t forget to clean your strainer basket weekly as cleaning it could reduce the amount of chlorine required for your pool.
Final thoughts:
As amazing as it is to have your pool, keeping it in good shape takes a bit of regular work. Incorporate these cleaning routines to make sure the state of your pool doesn’t become overwhelming for you. Take note of weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance measures for your pool and dutifully observe these measures to keep your pool at its best. Read your manufacturers’ manual for some tips that might be specific to your pool. Also, get your pump serviced regularly to reduce fire hazards and to keep it in top running condition. Remember to have your electrician or pool professional check the electrical connections. Contact one of our knowledgeable FAH Certified pool service professionals, if you need help with the proper maintenance of your Florida swimming pool.