How to Keep Your Swimming Pool Safe and Clean This Summer
Summer is in full effect, and backyard swimming pools are becoming a welcome oasis during these warmer months. For pool owners, part of providing a safe and healthy environment is checking to ensure that your water is clean and your system is running effectively. Here are five easy tips for pool owners this summer:
- Clean the filter, skimmer basket, and hair and lint pot
To keep your pool running smoothly, you want to clean (and replace) the filter. A clogged filter can be responsible for cloudy water or chemical imbalance. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for replacing the filter.
The skimmer basket and hair and lint pot will need to be cleaned more often. Most pools have one or two skimmer baskets that you can access from the deck. Simply remove the basket and remove any debris that has collected. The hair and lint strainer pot is generally located in front of the pool pump. Failure to clean the strainer pot may overload your pool pump.
- Check Pool Chemistry
Many first-time pool owners may not realize that poor water quality can result in recreational water illnesses (RWIs). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms related to these illnesses can include:
- Diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Ear pain
- Cough or congestion
- Eye pain
By checking your pool chemistry, you can prevent RWIs and protect your family, friends, and potential renters. You will want to check the chlorine and the pH level. You can purchase a chlorine and pH test kit and follow the CDC guidelines for ideal levels.
- Become an Expert Skimmer
In Southern California, one afternoon of Santa Ana winds leave a pool looking like a disaster zone. Even if you have hired a pool technician to maintain your swimming pool, you will still want to have a net skimmer, pool brush, and automated pool vacuum.
A net skimmer allows you to remove debris that may fall into your pool or accumulate along the surface. Brushing the tiles and along the pool bottom will prevent algae buildup, helping to keep your pool clean and properly balanced. An automated pool vacuum does the work for you by moving freely throughout the pool, sucking up any particles or sediment. All three tools are essential for pool owners and will help keep your pool sparkling all year long.
- Check the Water Level
Improper water levels can cause several problems with the cleaning and maintenance of your pool. According to swimmingpool.com, when the water is too low on your pool, it may cause air to be sucked into your filter system because the skimmer has bottomed out.
Without remedy, this can cause the motor on your pool pump to burn out. Too much water can also cause your skimmer not to work effectively. Ideally, the water level should be halfway up your waterline tile.
- Toss in a Tennis Ball
Many pool maintenance sites recommend tossing a tennis ball into your skimmer basket or directly into your pool. The tennis ball will help to absorb suntan lotion, skin oils, and hair products left behind by swimmers.
Contact SCREM For More About Renting a Property with a Pool!
Whether you are a property owner or considering renting a property with a pool, our real estate experts can help. Swimming pools can be a huge draw for potential renters, learn more about how to properly maintain your pool and get the most for your property. Contact SCREM at (661) 255-7600 to speak with one of our licensed agents today.