Helpful Tips to Maintain Your Indoor Swimming Pool
An indoor pool is a convenient, excellent way to relax and let off some of the summer steam. However, just because it’s protected from the outside weather doesn’t make it maintenance-free. Even when locked in a commercial, meticulously climate-controlled environment, pools require daily care and regular checkups.
Here are our tips on keeping your indoor pool from leaving you high and dry.
Vacuuming, skimming, and scrubbing are essential
Indoor pools usually have a water filter running for 8-12 hours per day, depending on how much use they get. Commercial swimming pools see so much traffic that the filters might not keep up with the demand. Ideally, a good vacuuming once a week will pick up most of the debris and let the filter do the rest.
Additionally, scrubbing and skimming algae from the walls and floor is essential to keep the pool clean and fresh for swimmers. Meanwhile, good chemical testing and a shocking regime will slow down algae growth significantly. You will usually need to loosen up grimier spots every few weeks.
Filter maintenance
The water filter keeps all the debris it sucks in from re-entering the pool water, but it can also be a primary reason pools start looking worse for wear. Inspecting the filter pump is an essential task in determining that every part is working correctly and there are no loose particles around to break down the system. When cleaning the filter (every three months), use a commercial filter cleaning solution since rinsing doesn’t remove all the debris out of the fabric.
The filter basket also needs more attention and should be cleaned out every few weeks. You can set the filter to “backwash,” which pushes the water out from the basket and clears out accumulated particles.
As a final note, don’t let the filter turn on and off too often. Setting it to work on a timer and a regular schedule will lessen the wear and tear since most filter damage comes from when it is powering on.
Keeping the chemical levels in check
Pool water has a relatively low number of chemical levels to keep an eye on:
Cyanuric acid: this acid helps active chlorine withstand sunlight and remain in the water longer. Aim for 30-50 ppm.
Free chlorine: is the primary sanitizer in most pools. Public pools have a minimum level of one ppm and a limit of around three ppm. Additional sanitizers and cyanuric acid can alter the required chlorine level.
pH level: an acidity level of between 7.2 and 7.8 needs to be maintained to prevent irritation and deterioration.
Calcium hardness: A level between 220 and 350 is usually optimal, but vinyl pools need lower levels due to the increased risk of damage.
Total alkalinity: total alkalines help keep the pH level in check. Levels between 60-120 are considered optimal.
Checking the chemical levels often will allow for greater control and ensure swimmers are safe.
Don’t be afraid to shock
Shocking the pool – adding chlorine or some other chemical to clean the water - when the water is cloudy can help keep the chemical levels in check and remove pollutants. Additionally, remain vigilant about the cleanliness of the pool during the winter months because the mild indoor climate can allow bacterial and algae growth during colder months. Shocking the water during winter is a perfectly sensible option to get the pool ready to go when spring hits.
Maintain water level
Higher swimmer traffic can lower the pool’s water level. If the pumps can’t keep up, add more water with a hose. Add more chlorine and test the water before anyone takes a dip to ensure cleanliness.
Use a tennis ball to soak oils
The tennis ball’s soft fibers will absorb oils. Tossing a few balls into the pool can reduce the slick sheen on the surface and lower the wear and tear on the filter.
If you have any concerns about your indoor pool care, contact a professional pool service for assistance.
Flawless Image Pool Service is a veteran-owned and operated residential pool maintenance team for Hillsborough County. Our Certified Pool Operators provide top-notch pool maintenance, 20 years of experience and reliable service. Call 813-536-3941 today!