5 ways to keep your poolside clean

This time of year is full of sunny days, barbecues, and pool parties (when it’s not raining)!  The summer’s in full force now and sipping piña colada by the swimming pool is one of the most fun ways to beat the heat. However, when it may be easy to go for a dip in the pool, keeping the pool area pristine requires a little grunt work. Check out some tips to help you keep the swimming area clean.

1. Try out a testing kit.

Naturally, all pool owners would love to have a built-in attendant to take care of maintenance. Since that isn’t an option for many, consider investing in a water testing kit, available in stores that sell swimming pool items. The kit will come with instructions for testing the water to determine the pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness.

For Calcium Hardness

a. Test waters a foot or more below the water’s surface.

b. Turn on the pool’s filter before adding any chemicals to the water to ensure the chemicals are distributed properly.

c. Carefully pour the chemicals into your pool at various spots a few feet away from the sides.

Alkalinity

The alkalinity of your pool water should be 100 to 120 ppm (some use a wide range of 80 to 150 ppm.)

pH Levels

The right pH level is between 7.2 and 7.6. If the pH level is too high, adding sodium bisulfate or liquid muriatic acid will help. For low pH, add soda ash.

2. Chlorinate the pool

Treat your pool with chlorine. Visit a pool supply store to determine how much chlorine the pool needs. Chlorine granules are the most common and are usually inexpensive. Liquid, tables, and sticks are also available but can be more costly.

Add chlorine granules to water in a non-metal container as directed. (Never add the water after the chlorine). Stir for 30-60 seconds. Then let it settle for 30 more seconds. Pour the chlorine mixture into the middle of your pool

3. Keep the pool covered

Use a pool cover to keep dirt, leaves, and other debris from falling in the water. Prior to swimming, remove any leaves from the water surface with a net and sweep the bottom of the pool if necessary. Clean the strainer basket in the skimmer once a week. It’s helpful to clean the pool filter monthly.

The frontier mat is the perfect poolside mat because its vinyl loop surface lets moisture seep through.

4.  Use the right mat around your poolside

Choose a mat designed specifically for poolsides. For example, the Frontier Mat, pictured below, has a vinyl loop surface to absorb dirt and moisture from footwear. The vinyl loop material dries quickly, but is comfortable enough to walk on. Its porous design captures dirt and debris, but its lack of backing allows water to flow freely. Pick it up and shake it out, or hose it off for a quick and easy clean.

5. Turn to the professionals

Consult with a professional if you wish to fork over the expenses. Pool services can perform the above tasks such as testing water, adding chlorine, or stopping algae. They also save you the trouble of handling chemicals yourselves.

For your pool to be the summer hot spot, test the water weekly, cover it up, and prevent slips and dirt spreading with mats. Your swimming pool will be the first thing people think of when they picture their favorite summer memories.

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