9 Tips to Keep Your Inground Pool as Good as New

Inground pools are a great investment, especially during the summer when temperatures reach dangerous levels. Like all your other investments, you need to take good care of your inground pool in order to get the most out of it.

For inground pools, this means regular pool maintenance. You need to learn how to maintain a pool to prevent damaging its components and continue enjoying its use.

Here are nine tips to help ensure proper pool maintenance:

Know When to Open and Close Your Pool

The rule of thumb is to keep your pool open whenever day temperatures are consistently over 70 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, you should make sure to close your pool up before temperatures start to fall below 30 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

Maintain the Pool Water Level

Your inground pool’s water level should always be between the midpoint and around an inch of the top of your skimmer. 

Never drain your pool; always consult professionals if you think your pool requires draining. Moreover, if it is necessary to drain all the water, make sure to leave it to the experts to prevent any mishaps.

Know How Long to Run the Pump or Filter System

Knowing the optimal run time for your pool pump and filter system helps ensure your pool’s cleanliness. 

For this, you first need to know what type of pump filter is installed into your pool. This will also tell you its flow rate or how many gallons your pump can filter per hour. You can calculate your pump’s turnover rate in hours by dividing the total gallon of water in your pool by the flow rate.

Running the pump system to maintain clear pool water usually takes two full turnovers or around 8 to 14 hours. 

Skim Debris and Leaves Off the Surface

Make sure to regularly skim leaves, bugs, and other debris off the surface of your pool. You can either use a skimmer net and long pole or invest in a swimming pool cleaning robot for greater convenience.

Using pool clarifiers can also help make this task easier. These clarifiers will clump smaller debris together so you can scoop or vacuum them up easily.

Remove Algae Growth

Aside from leaves and other debris that falls onto the pool water, you also need to remove algae growth. You can typically find this floating in the water or growing along the sides and bottom of the pool. 

Algae growth along the bottom and sides is more common in concrete pools due to their porous nature. Using algaecide can help reduce recurring algae growth.

Brush the Pool Walls Regularly

Brushing the interior walls of your inground pool should be done at least once a week. This will not only keep the walls free of algae but also grime and sediments from the water and chemicals.

A stainless steel brush is the best option for concrete inground pools. Meanwhile, nylon and other soft pool brushes are better for vinyl or fiberglass pools.

Check the Water Chemical Balance and pH Levels

Regularly check the water chemistry of your pool to ensure it stays clean and safe to use. Your pH level should fall between 7.2 and 7.8, while total alkalinity should be around 80 to 120 ppm. 

Chlorine levels should be between 2.0 and 3.0 ppm while cyanuric acid or stabilizers need to be 20 to 50 ppm. For concrete inground pools, your calcium hardness should be 200 to 400 ppm.

Check the Filter and Backwash Regularly

Your pool filter screens any debris and particles to prevent them from contaminating your water. As such, expect a lot of gunk and debris to accumulate in your filters. Make sure to check and empty it regularly to keep it running smoothly. Backwash your filter weekly if you use your pool frequently.

Create a Pool Cleaning Schedule

As you may have noticed, many of the tasks necessary for pool maintenance need to be done at least once a week. If you use your pool frequently, as is expected during summer seasons, then you may have to do these tasks more often as well.

It is best to create a pool cleaning schedule to ensure your pool will always be maintained. It is up to you whether to set aside a full day for all the necessary maintenance or divide the tasks throughout the week for better time management.

Work With Seasoned Pool Professionals

Hiring professional swimming pool contractors to take care of inground pools is not only easier but also safer and more economical in the long run. An experienced crew means fewer chances of mistakes that can damage your pool.

Rather than asking how much it costs to maintain a pool, it’s better to ask how much time and effort doing these tasks would entail. Instead of working unpaid to clean your own pool, you could be using that time to earn money for yourself or to rest and relax.

Reach out to us at [(801) 633-5531] to learn more about our services and ensure your inground pool stays as good as new even as time passes.