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It’s officially summer, and if you have a pool you’re probably using it frequently in this heat. Although the advantage of having a pool comes with a chre of maintaining it, at Woodfield Landscaping we know that the maintenance is crucial if you want your pool to serve you a long time. Just follow these tips and establish a daily routine, and your pool will stay safe and swim-ready.
Keep the pets out of the pool
Dog hair can clog the water filtration system pretty fast thus slowing down water circulation and potentially allowing bacteria growth. Aside from that, you end up with a task of cleaning up wet dog hair and staying away from the smelly culprit, the wet dog that will have to be kept outside until it dries. If you have a dog that jumps in the pool whenever it gets a chance, invest in a pool fence. Not only it will keep the dogs away, but will also provide some privacy.
Check on the skimmer basket frequently
It’s better to spend 5 minutes a day checking and cleaning your skimmer basket than waste entire day fighting algae and returning the pool water back to safe chemical levels. If your pool is located close to the trees, you can get a night-time pool cover to minimize the amount of debris landing in the water.
Test the water often
This will give you a chance to catch any problems on early stages. You can get test strips in a pool supply store. Once you dip the strip in the water, it will show the levels of chlorine or bromine in your pool, the alkalinity and pH. This way you can easily adjust the chemicals to restore the balance. It’s better to add chemicals after the sun goes down to ensure their maximum effectiveness.
Wipe down pool surface above the water line
Most likely, you don’t shower every time before getting in the pool. On the contrary, most of us shower after all the sunscreens, body lotions, body oils, cosmetics, etc. end up in the pool water. These substances tend to accumulate along the water line and the bright summer sun often bakes them into the pool liner. If you don’t wash off those greasy compounds on a regular basis, you’ll end up with a dark line just above water surface. It often requires the help of your local Maryland pool repair professionals to get rid of the discoloration.
Follow these simple steps, and you will significantly extend your pool’s life. And don’t worry if you occasionally forget to take care of your pool, because Woodfield Landscaping is here to help you with any needed repairs.
With the summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to make sure your pool is up to the task. Maryland landscaping company Woodfield Landscaping can provide many of the services necessary to keep any pool fully functional during the upcoming summer season. Here are several things you can do to get your pool swim-ready.
Remove the pool cover.
We hope you used one! Pool cover can significantly prolong the life of your pool. First, drain any water sitting on top of the cover to make sure it doesn’t get in the pool. Then carefully move the cover over, shake off the debris and put it away until the fall.
Clean the pool.
This should be an easy task if you had the pool covered. Make sure you remove any visible debris from the surface and bottom of the pool. Also gently wipe the part of your pool that is above the water line. You should clean this area regularly, because that’s where all the sunscreens, body oils and tan lotions end up.
Turn it on.
If you had the pool equipment off during winter, check if it’s still functional. Look for odd sounds, signs of leak or anything out of the ordinary. Clean pump and filters and examine all electrical connections. Fix any issues before using the pool.
Examine the pool liner.
If you have a pool with vinyl liner, make sure it is intact. Damaged pool liner is a very common problem. You’ll know that your liner is leaking when you notice the water line dropping. Scratches and tears on the liner’s surface (especially if it’s patterned) are often hard to find, so you might want to enlist professionals to help you detect the hole.
Once detected, the leak can usually be easily stopped. However, if you fail to find it, you will need to replace the entire liner to make the pool usable again. It is recommended to replace pool liners every seven to ten years, but it’s not a strict guideline. If there’s no obvious wear and tear, you can keep the liner, unless you want to replace it for cosmetic reasons.
Test the water.
Make sure the water contains the right balance of chemicals. If necessary, treat it with chlorine, oxidizer (shock) and salt. Over time, depending on the water’s PH levels, such solids as calcium build up at the waterline. If the water is “too hard,” you might need to drain the pool. Once it’s empty, you might as well ask your local Maryland pool service provider to thoroughly inspect it and clean.
Besides guaranteeing you safe seeming, the proper balance of chemicals is vital for prolonging the lifespan of your pool. However, it is recommended to change pool water every three to five years.
With proper maintenance, owning a pool is not very difficult. Woodfield Landscaping can provide adequate services in regards to all aspects of maintaining a pool. From replacing liners to plastering and renovation, we cover it all.