YOU wouldn't set out on a long road trip without giving your car a maintenance check - so why would you embark on the swimming season without giving your pool the once over?
Here are a few tips from Swimart on giving your pool a pre-season health check.
Clean the filter. If it has been particularly dry in your area this winter and you need to top-up water levels, it's a good idea to first clean the filter cartridge. For many models this simply involves removing the cartridge and giving it a good wash with a hose. If your pool has a diatomaceous earth filter, you might need to take it apart, clean it, and reassemble it. If you have a sand filter, set the filter to backwash to clean out the sand before returning it to its normal setting.
Balance pool chemicals. The pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.4, alkalinity from 80 to 120 and calcium hardness from 150 part per million to 250.
Prevent and remove algae. Algae are microscopic, living organisms that grow in water bodies such as streams, lakes, rivers, oceans and swimming pools. The four main types that afflict swimming pools are green, yellow, pink and black. Algae blooms can leave the pool looking unsightly, damage pool equipment, and even make people sick by harbouring bacteria such as E. coli.
To prevent algae: Maintain proper pool chemical balance, maintain chlorine levels, regularly clean your pool filter. regularly brush and vacuum the pool's surface and run the pool filter pump constantly for 48 to 72 hours.
