Above Ground Swimming Pool Maintenance

Above ground swimming pools make the perfect addition to any home! These pools have the incredible ability to fill your backyard with summer fun, yet maintain the value of your home. With no costly installation to destroy lawns and create a permanent fixture in your home, above ground pools have the benefits of water play and fitness opportunities for only a fraction of the cost.

Homeowners love to spend time relaxing in their above ground pools during the languid summer season. These pools are a great way to beat the seasonal hit, especially in areas like the North Carolina Triangle. But these pools aren’t all fun and games! To use any pool safely, it must be maintained! Pool maintenance is an important part of pool ownership. Prolonged or regular contact with substandard pool water can actually make both adults and children ill!
For many homeowners, getting any pool ready for use can be a daunting task! Much pool maintenance requires a lot of time and energy. However, maintaining a healthy swimming environment does not have to be arduous. Here are a few simple tips and techniques that will help homeowners prepare and maintain their above ground swimming pool throughout the summer season!

�At the beginning of the summer season, be careful when removing your pool cover. Before you begin any cleaning tasks on your pool, clean the pool cover thoroughly and store it in a place where it will not be subjected to the elements, or any moisture. Storing the cover in a secure location at the beginning of the season will allow you to forget about it until it is time to re-cover your swimming pool; at this point, it should be in good enough condition to go directly onto your pool without another cleaning.

�After the pool is uncovered, begin undertaking cleaning tasks such as brushing and vacuuming. Complete these tasks thoroughly before filling the pool with water; this will ensure that you use less chemicals during the course of the summer. Also, be careful that your skimmer baskets are clear of any debris.

�Throughout the summer, check the water balance in your above ground swimming pool. Take one quart of pool water to a professional water-testing facility at the beginning of the summer for a complete analysis. Check your chlorine stabilizer to ensure that everything is at the proper levels.

�If you should have to remove organic waste from your pool, remember to add one pound of shock per 10,000 gallons. Shock works best if it is pre-dissolved in a clean, plastic bottle. Be careful that your dissolve ratio should be no more than one gallon. When adding this to your water, pour the mixture slowly into your poll near the edges of the water.

�Disinfect your pool regularly throughout the summer! This quick maintenance step will save you from more extensive maintenance tasks, and will ensure that you can enjoy your above ground swimming pool through all of the summer months. This should always involve checking the chlorine levels, and adding chlorinating tablets as needed to kill bacteria.

�Most importantly, always prepare your pool equipment and chemicals according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pool maintenance is a vital part of owning and enjoying an above ground swimming pool. Small, regular precautions will help every pool owner avoid arduous, energy draining cleaning tasks, and will also ensure that everyone can enjoy the pool without worry of illness.