Whitby Residential Pool Services

Pool Care at Home: How to Get the Best Results 

When taking care of a swimming pool, it’s obvious that you should scoop out floating debris and throw in a sanitizer but there is a lot more to it than that. Removing debris is important but keeping pools clean and usable means addressing many moving parts. Missing just one step of the process can lead to cloudy water or even algae growth. Don’t take a risk on a DIY disaster when you can book residential pool care services with local Puddle Pros. 

Ditch Debris: Even with a standard pool vacuum, there is bound to be unwanted items floating along water surfaces or sitting at the bottom of the pool. This doesn’t just look bad, it can damage your system. Floating debris will fill up skimmer baskets and clog filters. Clogged filters force pumps to work harder, leading them to burn out and break down. If unwanted items are left sitting, they will rot against pool liners, causing permanent staining. 

Balance Water Chemistry: If you start to notice that water is starting to go cloudy, you might think that shocking the pool is enough to fix the issue but it’s not. In fact, you can use a basic testing kit and still not achieve proper pool balance. This is because it isn’t just about sanitizer levels. Water balance involves testing and treating chlorine levels, pH levels, total alkalinity and calcium. 

Check Your Pool Filter: The goal of a pool filter is to trap and hold bits and pieces of debris while filtered water is able to pass through. If filters are not cleaned regularly, a build-up of debris will prevent water flow. This forces internal system to work harder to push water through. This means added strain on the pool pump. You can also expect to see higher rates of energy use and higher utility bills to match. A cartridge filter should be removed, cleaned and reinstalled every 3-4 months. Sand filters should be emptied and replaced with clean sand every 3-5 years. 

Seasonal Pool Care: As the seasons change, your swimming pool will need some extra TLC. Ontario might be a winter wonderland for half of the year but this is big trouble for outdoor pools. Failing to close your pool can result in serious damage, both to plastic components and water lines that can burst. Experts have a system that involves dropping water levels, winterizing plugs and applying a multi-step winter chemical treatment to protect water systems. When opening up in spring, it is important to have a thorough deep cleaning and water treatment before anyone dips a toe inside!