Whether you have an above-ground pool or an in-ground pool, cleaning and maintaining it is vital if you want to be able to use it and keep its value. When it comes to above ground pool cleaning, there are several things to keep in mind if you want to keep the water clean and the equipment running properly.
Daily Above Ground Pool Cleaning Tasks
Pool Filter
The big thing to remember about above ground pool maintenance is to run the pool filter every day. Typically, it’s advised to run the filter for about 12 hours a day. Many people will set a timer to start the filter at night and have it run during the overnight hours. This is best because the pool is not in use and electricity rates are generally cheaper during the overnight hours.
Skimmer
You may also notice that you need to skim it daily or at least on the days when you’re using it. While your filter will get rid of most of the leaves and other debris that falls into the pool, there may be small bugs or other things that fall in. You’ll want these out before you take a dip.
If you are using your pool daily during the summer months, keep an eye on the skimmer basket and dump it regularly. Depending on the amount of debris, you may need to dump it daily or every other day.
Water Level
Another thing to keep an eye on is the water level. If you don’t make it out to your pool every day to check, don’t worry. But, you should keep an eye on the water level to see if it’s remaining consistent. The water level should be around mid-skimmer level. If you notice that it’s too high or too low, it could decrease the effectiveness of the pump.
Also, if the water level is decreasing every time you go out to check it, this could indicate a leak. If that’s the case you’ll want to get a professional pool company, such as Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance to assess the problem. Getting this checked out as soon as possible is important. If you let it go, it could cost you more money as the leak gets worse.
Weekly Above Ground Pool Cleaning Tasks
Every week, you’re going to want to vacuum your pool and brush the sides. This will not only keep debris out but will also help to prevent algae from forming on the walls of your pool.
Water Test
Testing the water is also important to make sure that all chemical levels are where they should be. You can buy testing strips and test the water yourself or you can take a sample to your local pool store. Either way, your water will be tested for such things as chlorine level, alkalinity, and pH level. If your water is low on any of these, you’ll have to treat it so that it can get back to healthy levels.
Chemicals
When it comes to adding chemicals to your pool, you want to make sure you are exact. Hiring a pool maintenance company is one way to make sure the job gets done right. They can test your water and make sure that the right chemicals in the right amounts are being added each week.
Backwashing
Backwashing your pool’s filter is also something you want to do either weekly or bi-weekly. This reverses the flow of water through the filter so that all of the sand and debris that the filter has trapped can get out. If you ignore this step you run the risk of not having your pool filter run properly because it’s not clean.
Shocking the Pool
Another task on your weekly or bi-weekly above ground pool cleaning list should be to shock your pool. You can ask your pool store how much shock you should put in based on the size of your pool. Typically, you want to add the shock in when the sun is not out and when the filter is running. If you add the shock when the sun is out, it will burn off unstabilized chlorine, making it less effective. When you shock your pool at night, the chemicals are working the way they’re meant to.
Checking for Damage
Once a week, you also want to do a walk-around your pool area to see if you notice any damage or leaks. This is important because as we all know small problems turn into larger ones when they’re not fixed right away. While you may notice glaring issues, you may not notice problems that would be obvious to a trained pool professional. As part of a pool service contract, pool technicians from Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance inspect your pool and the area around it for any issues. They know what to look for and can distinguish between a small problem and a larger one. Either way, they will bring it to your attention so that it can be addressed quickly.
Call us for Above Ground Pool Cleaning Service
When you need above ground pool cleaning service look no further than Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance. We serve several areas in the community such as Lewisville, Argyle, Carrollton, Coppell, Corinth, Double Oak, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, Lantana, Plano, McKinney, and Frisco. We have helped countless customers with weekly pool maintenance so that they have more time to enjoy their pools.
When you call Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance, we will not only check the chemicals in your water but will also perform several other maintenance checks such as:
- Check & empty skimmer baskets
- Monitor filter pressure
- Backwash DE and sand filters as needed
- Visual inspection of equipment and reporting of significant issues
- Weekly e-mail notification and photographs
- Brushing
- Net debris
- Vacuum as needed