Basic Pool Care

Maintaining an in ground swimming pool is relatively simple and should take approximately one hour per week or less. The pool filter should be run 8 to 12 hours every day. The filter should be backwashed or cleaned as required. The skimmer baskets should be cleaned as needed. The pool should be vacuumed and brushed about once a week and the water tested at least once a week.

Pool chemistry is a relatively simple 4 step process.

1. Maintain a modest free chlorine level at all times (1 to 3 PPM) This is done by using slow dissolve stabilized chlorine sticks or pucks, dissolved in either the skimmer basket or automatic chlorinator. Harmful bacteria can not live with free chlorine present and the water will be safe and healthful to swim in. A good free chlorine test kit will help you determine the proper amount of chlorine to add, warmer water and heavy use will require more chlorine.
2. Periodically Shock or super chlorinate the pool water (Monthly +/-) This is always done at the end of the day after swimming is finished. Use either liquid or powdered unstabilized chlorine, 1 to 3 gallons of liquid or 2 to 5 lbs. of powder. The pool should be brushed after adding the chlorine and the filter left running overnight. Any pool cover should also be removed over night. Shocking the pool will remove oils and swimmer waste, kill algae, and burn off the combined or "used " chlorine. It is the used up chlorine that gives the water the unpleasant chlorine smell and regular shocking will prevent it.
3. Test and balance the pH and Alkalinity of the water. The water's pH is influenced primarily by the pH of the chlorine added and by the acid rainfall. Vinyl pools are relatively simple, as both the chlorine and the rain will lower the pools pH. Vinyl pools will require alkaline boost (baking soda) to raise the pH, typically 20 to 50 lbs over the season. Gunite pools are a bit trickier, new plaster contains alkalines which will raise the pool waters pH. New gunite pools will require acid which will lower the pH into the proper range. As the pool plaster ages it will give off less alkalines and eventually the pool will require alkaline boost (baking soda) just like a vinyl pool. A test kit is required to determine the exact quantity of acid or alkalines. Proper pH is needed to prevent damage to the pool structure and equipment.
4. Add an occasional dose of algaecide. Algeacides are chemicals specifically designed to discourage algae growth. They are best used to prevent algae from growing in your pool. A quart of a good algaecide per season is generally adequate.