The fundamentals of swimming pool maintenance

Key points to remember:

• • Maintaining your pool must be a daily task.

• • Maintenance operations vary depending on the pool’s size.

• • Filtration, chemical balance of the water, disinfection, and cleaning constitute the bases of pool maintenance.

• • A simply shaped pool (rectangular) is easier to maintain.

• • Your pool water parameters can change based on temperature, pollution, the number of swimmers, or weather conditions.

• • Filtration (mechanical process) represents 80% of pool water maintenance, while the remaining 20% concerns chemical treatment.

1-Filtration

Filtration allows the water to renew itself and maintain good quality. It is advisable to increase the filtration duration, especially when the temperature is high. Filter your pool for a continuous period of 8 to 14 hours. When the temperature exceeds 28°C, it is necessary to filter 24 hours a day.

The pump and the filter are the essential elements of a filtration system. The pump sucks in the water and sends it directly to the filter. The filter removes debris and impurities from the water, and the filtered water is then sent back to the pool. However, even with good filtering, the water may not be completely healthy and can develop fungi or algae. It is therefore essential to proceed with water treatment.

The filtration system must be able to filter the entire volume of the pool in 4 hours. The main elements of filtration are the pump that circulates the water and the filter that purifies the pool water. All these elements are connected by pipes. The skimmer sucks in the water while the return inlets send back the filtered water.

It is therefore very important to:

How to determine the optimal filtration time according to your pool?

Filtration time = water temperature divided by 2.

 Caution 

– A poorly filtered pool is often the sign of water problems.

– Do not filter your pool during the night; prioritize filtration during the day, when UV rays are most active.

How to improve sand filtration?

You can use a flocculant.
The flocculant helps group small particles (which pass through the filter) into “flakes” that will be trapped by the filter.

2-Disinfection

Disinfection is a crucial step that complements filtration.

Several products can be used for disinfection, such as chlorine, salt electrolysis, bromine, or active oxygen, not forgetting corrective products.

The disinfectant dosage must be checked at least 1 to 2 times per week and adjusted accordingly.

The ideal chlorine level is between 1.5 and 2 mg/L or PPM. Be careful not to exceed 3 mg/L. Dosage instructions are mentioned on the purchased product.

Disinfection products help fight against algae, have a flocculant effect, and regulate the pH…

Be careful not to neglect the dosage of the disinfectant product.
We recommend the use of an automatic treatment system (salt electrolysis, automatic chlorine regulator) for regular and efficient maintenance.

3-Cleaning

Recommendations for daily cleaning

• • Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure water suitable for swimming and to preserve the equipment.

• • When the pool is not in use, it is advisable to cover it.

• • Remove leaves or any other debris from the basin using a net.

• • Check the water level, which must be at least halfway up the skimmers, to avoid the pump losing its prime.

• • Clean the water line regularly. If it is very dirty, increase the water level above the water line and apply shock chlorine.

• • Use a pool vacuum or a cleaning robot.

• • Monitor your chlorine level with strips or another tester.

• • Also monitor the pH, which should be between 7.2 and 7.4.

• • Empty your skimmer basket and check the pre-filter.

4-Various pool signals

• • Translucent green water

• • Presence of copper, in which case the use of a metal sequestrant is recommended.

• • Cloudy or milky water

• • Clogged filter (pressure must be below 1.5 bars)

• • In case of pollution, increase the filtration speed.