Did you know that the illness-causing germ, Cryptosporidium, can survive for up to 7 days in recently treated water? With this shocking fact in mind, it’s clear homeowners need to keep on top of swimming pool maintenance.

Keeping your pool clear of debris will not only keep your family healthy. With regular pool up-keep, you’ll notice damage before it causes a problem, be able to jump in whenever you need a quick dip, and never be embarrassed to invite guests around.

Below, we provide some valuable tips for keeping your swimming pool clean and safe for all the family.

1. Check the Water Quality

Regularly testing the water quality is a crucial part of maintaining a pool.

Too many or not the right chemicals can be dangerous to your family’s health. Too little, and the water may fill with algae and bacteria, making it murky and unsafe.

Check the water quality at least once a week in the summer and less over the winter. pH readings should sit between 7.0 and 7.2.

Pool chemicals are harmless in the correct doses, but if you’re worried, consider converting your backyard waterhole into saltwater or a natural swimming pool instead.

2. Service Your Pool Equipment Regularly

A yearly service is a must-have item in your pool maintenance checklist. A professional pool repair person has the tools and know-how to check complicated pool equipment.

Pumps, filters, spa jets, and heating systems have a lot of moving parts. If they break down, it’d be hard for most homeowners to diagnose what went wrong.

Invest in affordable, long-lasting, and energy-efficient equipment like a Pentair pool pump from the beginning. You can guarantee your annual service will only cost the call-out fee for years to come.

3. Keep Filters and Baskets Clear

If you’re cleaning a swimming pool, run through a checklist of items to clear. Aside from scooping out leaves with a skimmer, you need to clean your filter about every three to six months. Clean it out after a heavy storm, too.

It would help if you also lifted out any leaf baskets or other filtration devices. Inspect them for algae, insects, hair, lint, and debris. Don’t forget to turn off the pool pump and release the system pressure before lifting any equipment out of the pool.

4. Drop in a Tennis Ball

Sunscreen, body oils, leave-in conditioner, and greasy hands can all wreak havoc on the water quality in your swimming pool.

There’s an easy way to maintain a pool and protect it from these impurities. Just drop a new tennis ball into the water!

The soft exterior of a tennis ball is exceptionally absorbent. The oils floating on the water’s surface stick to the ball as it bobs around the pool. Switch it out for a new one every six months or so.

Regular Swimming Pool Maintenance Is Essential

All types of swimming pools need regular cleaning and checking. Create a seasonal calendar or checklist of tasks for you or other family members to refer to. If you become lax on swimming pool maintenance, you’re setting yourself up for a hefty repair bill.

For more advice on keeping your home in good working order, read the other lifestyle articles on our blog.