Pool Cleaning & Basic Care

Pool care is important not only to keep your pool clean and enjoyable but also to extend the life of the pool. For instance, by removing leaves and sticks, you will reduce your chemical usage as well as make your pool more inviting.
Here are the basic steps for caring for a swimming pool:
·Check the water chemistry regularly.
·Skim the surface of the pool.
·Vacuum the pool floor.
·Brush the walls of the pool, and the steps.
·Empty the baskets that collect debris.
·Clean or backwash the pool filter when your pressure indicates it is time.

Basket Maintenance

Generally pools have two baskets that collect debris. They are: skimmer basket (some pools have more than one of these) and the pump basket. The skimmer basket sits in the pool skimmer, which is right next to the pool. This basket collects anything that is on the surface of the water while the pump is running. The pump basket is in the pool pump itself. It collects anything that is moving through the pool plumbing and also protects the pump from being clogged with debris. Empty both the skimmer basket and the pump basket every week. If you have had rough weather it's a good idea to check for leaves, sticks and branches right after the storm. When you empty the pump basket be sure to clean the o-ring that seals the pump lid to the pump. If the o-ring is dried out you will want to use a silicone lubricant to keep it from cracking – do not use petroleum jelly as this will shorten the life of the material. A good o-ring makes the pump seal easily.

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