Pool Maintenance
R500,00 excl
Available on back-order
Description
Proper pool maintenance requires balancing water chemistry, cleaning debris, and running the pump daily. [1, 2]
Daily and Weekly Tasks
- Skim the surface: Remove leaves and bugs with a net every other day.
- Empty baskets: Check and clean the skimmer and pump baskets once a week to protect water flow.
- Brush and vacuum: Scrub the walls weekly to stop algae growth and vacuum the floor to remove settled dirt.
Water Chemistry
- Test the water: Check pH (ideal range 7.2–7.6) and chlorine levels 1 to 2 times a week.
Circulation and Filtration
- Run the pump: Keep your pump running 8 to 12 hours a day to circulate the water properly.
- Clean the filter: Backwash sand filters or clean cartridge filters when the pressure gauge reads high
To keep your swimming pool sparkling, healthy, and crystal clear, you need to manage three core components: circulation, cleaning, and chemistry. Neglecting any of these areas is the most common reason for cloudy water or sudden algae outbreaks. [1, 2]
Here is a simple blueprint for keeping your pool pristine:
1. Water Circulation (The Heart of Your Pool)
Stagnant water invites algae growth and collects dirt. Proper filtration ensures your chemicals are evenly distributed. [1]
- Pump Runtime: Run your pool pump for 8 to 12 hours every day. To best combat algae growth, schedule this runtime during the sunniest hours of the day. [1, 2]
- Filter Sand & Backwashing: Clean out trapped dirt by performing a backwash and rinse every week, or whenever your filter pressure gauge rises 8–10 PSI above its normal clean level. [1]
- Basket Clearing: Empty both your weir/skimmer basket and your pump’s strainer basket weekly to maintain strong suction. [1, 2]
2. Physical Cleaning (Brushing & Vacuuming)
Even with a good pump, debris will settle, and a layer of invisible biofilm can stick to the surfaces. [1]
- Skimming & Brushing: Skim leaves off the surface every other day, and brush the pool walls and steps weekly. Brushing loosens algae before it takes hold. [1, 2, 3]
- Vacuuming: Vacuum the pool floor once a week. Many homeowners rely on suction-side automatic cleaners (like the Gemini), while others prefer standalone robotic vacuums. [1, 2, 3]
3. Water Chemistry (Testing & Balancing)
Test your water 1 to 2 times per week using a liquid drop kit or test strips to keep these three pillars balanced: [1, 2]
| Chemical Property | Ideal Range | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Free Chlorine | 2.0 – 4.0 ppm | Sanitises the water and kills bacteria/algae. |
| pH Level | 7.2 – 7.6 | Prevents skin irritation and equipment corrosion. |
| Total Alkalinity | 80 – 120 ppm | Acts as a buffer to keep your pH level stable. |
- Shock Treatment: “Shocking” means adding a heavy dose of chlorine to destroy organic buildup. Do this bi-weekly or after heavy rain and heavy bather usage. Prefer non-stabilized chlorine shock (like Cal Hypo) to prevent “chlorine lock” caused by over-stabilisation
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