Summer is here and you’re ready to enjoy your custom pool. But you’ll need to maintain it too by cleaning it regularly, testing the water, and more. All this maintenance, added to the other things you want to pack into a short, Canadian summer, can be exhausting.
But we’ve got you covered. Here is a list of five simple tricks to save you time and energy this summer.
Robotic Pool Cleaner
Pools need to be skimmed, brushed, and vacuumed weekly. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a robot to do all that? While there aren’t robots to do everything for you yet, there are now automatic pool cleaners. Think Roomba for pools.
They won’t do all the work for you, but they do make it easier.
The cleaners plug into a power supply, usually sold with the unit, then go around your pool brushing and vacuuming the bottom and walls.
Most cleaners take around two hours per session. Once the cleaning cycle is complete, remove the cleaner from the pool, then wash the internal filter.
Robotic cleaners are usually stored outside of the pool. However, there are some models that come with weekly timers. These can be left in the pool between sessions and will automatically start at the desired time. However, the internal filters still need to be washed after each use.
Baking Soda
Did you know baking soda can be used to clean your pool and improve the quality of your pool’s water? It’s cost-effective, non-toxic, and won’t damage your pool’s tile or liner.
First, baking soda can be used to scrub tiles, toys, and other pool accessories. To use it, simply make a paste by mixing water and baking soda. Next, add the paste to your brush and scrub away.
Baking soda can also be effective on algae. Sprinkle a bit on the algae, let it sit for a while, then go back with a brush to scrub it off.
Many people also add baking soda to pool water. Baking soda acts as both an acid and a base, balancing the pH levels of your pool as a result. This may aid in preventing corrosion, and can help chlorine work more effectively.
Baking soda also softens hard water. This can make pool water a bit gentler on hair and skin.
Note that adding baking soda to the pool doesn’t replace regular water testing and maintenance. Be sure to test your water once or twice every week, or hire a professional to ensure optimal levels.
Tennis Balls
Throwing tennis balls in your pool doesn’t just entertain the family dog. It can also help keep your pool clean.
Tennis balls actually absorb oils that float on the surface of the pool, usually from sunscreen or other types of lotion.
Put some tennis balls in your skimmer basket or let them float freely in the pool, and leave them to work their magic. And be sure to replace them when they get too dirty.
Pantyhose
Some people have found that covering the skimmer basket with pantyhose in place of a skimmer sock can catch smaller pieces of dirt or other debris that would normally escape a regular skimmer basket. This often makes cleaning the pool’s filter much easier.
To try this, use knee-high pantyhose. Insert the skimmer basket inside the pantyhose tube. The closed end should sit at the bottom of the skimmer basket. Push the pantyhose down inside the basket so the nylon covers the walls.
Make sure the pool is already relatively clean before you do this. The nylon does filter out very small particles. If the pool hasn’t been cleaned in a long time, you could get a lot of build-up in a short amount of time.
The nylon can also be re-used. Once it’s dirty, remove the skimmer basket, then wash the debris off the pantyhose with a garden hose and sprayer.
Pool Timer
Your pool’s filtration system needs to run for eight to twelve hours every day. A pool timer can save you the hassle of switching it on and off yourself. It is summer, after all, and you’ve got better things to do.
Pool timers are also helpful if you decide to go on vacation. While you should have someone to help maintain your pool while you’re away, pool timers make things easier for everyone involved.
Timers simply plug into an outlet and the filtration system plugs into the timer. Many are manually operated, but there are smart versions available equipped with Bluetooth.
The Takeaway
When you have a custom designed pool, you want it to last as long as possible. These simple hacks, in addition to regular pool cleaning and maintenance, can help you extend the life of your pool while saving time for the things that really matter – like perfecting your cannonball.
However, there is a time that pools do need to be renovated or replaced in order to function optimally. If you are wondering whether it’s time to update your pool, let us know. We’d be happy to share our expert opinions.
