Owning a swimming pool is a wonderful privilege, but it’s also a lot of work.

When you buy a home with a pool or install a pool in your current home, there’s no denying that it’s fun for the whole family. What they don’t tell you, however, is that you have to dedicate a lot of time to maintain it. If you’re going to have a safe and fun swim, the pool has to be cleaned properly.

In this post, we’re going to outline some of the biggest swimming pool maintenance mistakes that new pool owners make. Avoid these and you’ll enjoy clean swims all summer long.

1. Forgetting to Brush

When you vacuum your pool to avoid algae problems and calcium buildup, you might think you’re done. However, there are areas of your pool that your vacuum can’t hit, which you’ll need to brush thoroughly and regularly to avoid any issues.

We’re talking mainly about the steps and stairs, behind the ladder, and in the corners where your vacuum and skimmer can’t reach. If you don’t do this as part of your weekly maintenance routine, calcified plaque can build up, which will require professional attention.

2. Not Testing pH and Alkalinity Levels

You have to test your pool water often if you want it to be swimmable and avoid having to replace certain parts too soon. If your pool has a high pH level, it indicates acidity and if it has a low pH level, it indicates alkalinity. Acidity in the pool can lead to skin irritation and scale formation, while alkalinity can irritate the eyes and cause damage to the equipment.

Use strips to test the pool water at least once per week, but doing it more will ensure that the pH level is always a balanced 7.5. If it’s too high or too low, you can use pH or alkalinity increaser to balance it.

3. Incorrectly Shocking

There are a few mistakes people tend to make when shocking their pool. Chlorine shocks are important for killing bacteria and algae, as well as clearing cloudy water and removing other contaminants. Ignoring it altogether is a problem, but doing it incorrectly is a serious issue as well.

For instance, you should never add pool shock through your skimmer, which can create a dangerous and volatile atmosphere in your pool. Also, if you shock your pool during the day, the sunlight may burn off the unstabilized chlorine and render the process ineffective.

4. Ignoring Weather

If you don’t protect your pool against inclement weather, you could end up having to replace some of the components too often. Draining your pool in the cooler months, when you aren’t using it, is absolutely crucial for eradicating total dissolved solids (TDS).

You should also prepare your pool for the rain, especially if you live in a wetter climate or a place with year-round pool weather. Lowering the water levels, for example, is important so that your pool doesn’t overflow.

Don’t Make Swimming Pool Maintenance Mistakes

If you can avoid making these swimming pool maintenance mistakes, then your pool will stay healthier for longer. Pools can get really expensive if you fail to maintain them properly, so pay attention to any issues and take the time out of your week to perform regular maintenance.

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