First-Time Pool Owner, Now What? A Guide for Beginners
First-Time Pool Owner, Now What? A Guide for Beginners
Welcome to your first time being a pool owner! If you live in Florida, owning a pool is an exciting and rewarding experience. But with great fun comes great responsibility. If you are a new pool owner, you might be wondering where to start and how to keep your pool looking great all year round. While the initial steps can be daunting, we know that Southern Pools of Florida is here to help you through the process, so we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you feel confident with your new pool ownership.
1. Understand Your Pool’s System
Before you start the maintenance, you should know how your pool works. The pump, filter, heater (if applicable), and chlorinator make up your pool’s system. The filter circulates water through the filter to remove debris and the chlorinator makes sure your water stays sanitized. Knowing these components will enable you to solve problems and keep the system in good shape.
Pro Tip: Check your pool’s manual for specific details on your equipment. Southern Pools of Florida is here to help you with expert advice if you have any questions.
2. Establish a Cleaning Routine
One of the most important things about being a pool owner is keeping your pool clean. If your pool is not regularly cleaned algae will begin to grow, debris will reduce the clarity of your water, and generally just be a nasty place. Here’s a simple cleaning routine to follow:
- Skim the Surface Daily: You can use a skimmer net and remove leaves, bugs and other debris on the water’s surface.
- Vacuum Weekly: If the water is covered deep enough, that means you should use a pool vacuum to clean up the bottom of the pool, namely dirt and sediment that has settled there.
- Brush the Walls and Tile: Brushing helps to prevent algae buildup and keeps your pool surfaces looking nice.
Pro Tip: Also, you need to clean the pool’s filter regularly. Clean filters are essential to make water circulation efficient.
3. Maintain Water Chemistry
Water chemistry is important in keeping your pool safe and preventing damage to your pool surface and equipment. As a first-time pool owner, you’ll need to regularly test and adjust the following:
- pH Levels: Try to keep the pH at 7.2 to 7.6. It can also cause skin irritation and damage to your pool if the pH is too high or too low.
- Chlorine Levels: Bacteria killing and water sanitizing requires chlorine. Chlorine levels should be maintained at 1.0 to 3.0 ppm.
- Alkalinity: Alkalinity is a buffer for pH. Keep it within 80-120 ppm.
- Calcium Hardness: It measures the water’s hardness. Scaling or corrosion may result from too much or too little calcium. Aim for 200-400 ppm.
Pro Tip: At least twice a week check the water chemistry by using a pool testing kit or strips. You can also bring a water sample to Southern Pools of Florida for a professional analysis.
4. Know When to Run Your Pool Pump
Water circulation is essential to keeping your pool clean and evenly distributing chemicals, and that means you need to run your pool pump. But running it too long can also boost your energy bills. In general, run your pump 6-8 hours a day in summer and 4-6 hours in the cooler months.
Pro Tip: A variable speed pump will save you money and use less energy. Southern Pools of Florida has a variety of energy efficient options to choose from, and will tailor them to your needs.
5. Understand Seasonal Maintenance
The season affects the pool maintenance. In Florida, you might not have to close your pool for the winter, but following our maintenance guide will help ensure continued pool health through the changing seasons. For instance, if you use your pool more often or there’s more debris in your pool, you’ll need to clean your pool more often during the summer. In the winter, you can cut down on cleaning and chemical treatments, but should still check your pool regularly.
Pro Tip: If you want to read more about winterizing an above ground pool, check out our blog on How to Winterize an Above Ground Pool.
6. Be Prepared for Common Issues
Regular maintenance will only go so far; problems still pop up. Algae growth, cloudy water and low water levels are common problems. Knowing how to solve these problems quickly will save you time and money. Say, if you spot algae, shock your pool with higher levels of chlorine and scrub the affected areas. If the water is cloudy, check the filter and balance the chemicals.
Pro Tip: Learn about our 10 Money Saving Tips for Pool Owners to prevent costly repairs and to keep your pool in top condition.
7. Schedule Professional Inspections
DIY maintenance is important, but so is having a professional come in and inspect your system regularly. A pool expert will know what to look for that you might not, so your pool stays safe and working.
Pro Tip: Southern Pools of Florida provides all types of pool inspections and pool maintenance services. We can inspect your pool and make sure it is in perfect shape, contact us.
Conclusion
As a first-time pool owner, it’s an exciting journey, but it’s a learning curve. By knowing your pool’s system, keeping the water chemistry right, and doing regular cleaning, you will make sure your pool will continue to be a place of joy for many years. We’re here to assist you every step of the way at Southern Pools of Florida, from giving you expert advice to offering top notch maintenance services.
Ready to dive in? Call Southern Pools of Florida today to find out more about our services and how we can work with you to get the most out of your new pool. Welcome to the world of pool ownership, where we’re here to take the work out of it, make it fun, and worry free!