Tips to care for your swimming pool

There are so many advantages that go hand-in-hand with having a swimming pool of your own. An indoor or outdoor swimming pool offers the opportunity to enjoy low-impact exercise to enrich your body and relax your mind.

In the warmer months, an outdoor pool gives you a place to cool off when temperatures soar and if you have an indoor pool, you can exercise and relax by the pool all year round even when the temperature plummets outside come the winter. Your pool area also doubles as an entertaining space, keeping family and friends happy and enthused at special occasions and impromptu gatherings.

To continue reaping these rewards, however, you have to take care of your pool properly which means regular servicing and refurbishment of minor problems by a trusted pool servicing engineer. In between professional servicing, the following tips will help to keep the pool in great condition.

Check water levels

Maintaining your pool is a continuous process and one that requires attention weekly. Several tasks should be a part of a weekly pool maintenance schedule, one of which is checking and topping up the pool’s water levels. Here Angi shares the reasons why the water level of your pool may be getting lower:

“Typically, pools lose water for one of two reasons: Evaporation or a leak. Evaporation naturally occurs in any body of water, but it may increase under certain conditions, such as hot, humid weather. Leaks, however, indicate a bigger problem that a professional may need to address.”

Keep filters clean

Whether your pool is equipped with sand, glass or a cartridge filter, the filter needs cleaning regularly to keep the pool operating optimally. Different cleaning methods apply to different pool filters so be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions or consult one of our pool servicing experts for advice.

Empty the skimmer basket of debris

Cleaning the skimmer basket is an easy maintenance job. Simply turn off the pump, locate the skimmer and take the basket from within. Empty the dirt and debris in the basket before rinsing with a hose pipe. Reinsert the basket into the skimmer, switch the pump back on, and start using your pool once again.

Vacuum the pool floor

Collect dirt and debris that sinks to the bottom of the pool with a good vacuum. Vacuuming keeps your pool floor clean and attractive looking.

Treating the pool water

The pool has to regularly undergo chemical treatments to keep the water clean and safe, as well as maintain the overall health of the pool. As a result, pool chemicals must be checked and adjusted accordingly, pH levels must be monitored, and water should be balanced by the service engineer.

Keep it clean with a cover

Pool covers aren’t just about maintaining a high standard of safety*. Using a pool cover on an outdoor pool also prevents excess dirt and debris from falling into your pool and during the warmer periods, it can help to reduce water evaporation caused by the sun. Pool covers on both indoor and outdoor pools help to retain the warmth of the heated water which is better for the environment. Sweep away any debris from the top of the outdoor pool cover.

Close when the cold sets in

Eventually, it will get too cold even for the hardiest swimmer to keep their outdoor pool open. At that point, the pool should be professionally winterised to protect it throughout the winter. During winterisation, the water will be balanced and depending on the pool and specific requirements, the water level may be reduced, and water removed from the plumbing lines before your pool is covered and closed for the season. Remember to book in at least a couple of services over the winter months to ensure the pool remains in the best condition – this will ensure a smooth reopening in the spring.

Service the plant room equipment

There is a lot of complex, finely tuned equipment in the plant room that keeps your pool running efficiently and continuously. Servicing and maintaining all that equipment is the preserve of a professional pool engineer, so rely on them to keep the plant in good working order through a regular schedule of visits.

Call on the professionals

Here at London Swimming Pool Company, we can help you stay on top of pool servicing and refurbishment all year round. Contact us today to discuss your pool care requirements.

*Never step onto/walk on top of a pool cover.