A swimming pool can enhance your outdoor living space and provide fun for the whole family. It can even add about 7.7% to your home’s value.
It’s an excellent home addition for those who live in a hot sunny climate. Many homeowners choose to go with a saltwater pool, as it’s a better option for your skin and hair. It also needs less upkeep than a standard chlorine pool.
Here is your guide on how to maintain a saltwater pool.
How to Maintain a Saltwater Pool
A clean saltwater pool is as easy as filtering out the dirt while also checking to ensure your water levels stay balanced.
This type of pool gets preferred as it doesn’t produce a strong chlorine smell. It is also healthier for the skin and those with allergies.
Some people choose to hire a professional to handle their saltwater pool care. Yet, it is also easy to maintain your own pool using the following tips.
Ensure Your Pump and Filter Are Functioning Right
Saltwater pool maintenance is a breeze when all your pool parts function well. So it’s important to keep your pump, filter, and skimmer clean and in good working condition.
These parts work together to help keep your pool water clean. So make sure to inspect and clean these on a regular basis, as they can become clogged with debris over time.
A low water level can be a sign that one of these items is getting backed up. Clean these every week to avoid buildup. Spraying water from a hose should do the trick.
Also, be sure to clean the pool’s generator cell every few months as it can become scaly from salt buildup. Clean it with a high-pressure water hose or scrape it off using a plastic tool. This helps the salt circulate through your pool well.
Keep out the Dirt
Dirt removal is the most important tip in how to take care of a saltwater pool. You’ll want to remove debris from the surface of your pool to keep it sparkling clean.
Use a pool vacuum attachment or mechanical cleaner. Do this by connecting the vacuum right to your skimmer box to suck away dirt. Or you can buy a robot cleaner or pressure cleaner to do the job.
A saltwater pool only contains about 10% of the salt that’s found in ocean water. While this is a small amount, it helps to brush the bottom of your pool. This keeps saltwater from building up, which can cause staining.
Pools should get cleaned 2 to 3 times per week. An uncovered pool may need more cleanings or take longer to clean, as it is more open to catching leaves and other debris.
You’ll also want to clean your pool lining every month and follow proper maintenance tips for closing your pool down in the winter.
Algae can also cause your pool to take on a dirty green hue. Use a special algae bush to remove it from the sides and bottom of your pool. They also make an algaecide for pool use to help prevent the growth of new algae.
It helps to have your family and friends shower before entering your pool. You should also wash your pool toys often. This will help stop mildew growth, keeping the pool cleaner.
Test Your pH and Chlorine Levels
Add water level testing to your saltwater pool maintenance checklist. You’ll want to check your pH and chlorine levels every week. You can use an easy pool test kit to do this.
pH Levels
A pool’s pH should be between 7.2 to 7.6 ppm. If pH levels get unbalanced, you can add in muriatic acid to reduce the pH. Or add sodium bicarbonate to increase the pH levels.
Alkalinity levels help keep your pool’s pH balanced. Check this level every month and aim for 80 to 120ppm. You can add baking soda to increase levels or muriatic acid to decrease them.
Chlorine Levels
You chlorine should be about 1 to 3 ppm. If you live in a warmer climate, the sun’s rays can evaporate more of the chlorine from your pool. So you need to test the stabilizer levels, which should be between 70 and 80 ppm.
In some cases, you may need to drain some of the water from your pool so you can add in fresh water. This will help dilute the overconcentrated pool water. Or you can add cyanuric acid to bring your stabilizer levels back up.
Calcium and Salt Levels
Calcium ensures your water stays clear. Check this every month, aiming for 200 to 400 ppm.
Saltwater levels should likely be between 2700 to 4500 ppm. However, this number depends on the specifications of the pool manufacturer.
You should also test your water to be sure there are no traces of metals. This can sometimes happen when you add fresh water in. Metals like iron, copper, and manganese can cause corrosion issues for your pool.
Use a Shock Solution When Needed
Shocking your pool is like deep cleaning it. It helps keep the water looking fresh.
Here’s a saltwater pool maintenance for dummies tip. Shocking a pool gets recommended at the start of summertime when your pool sees a lot of action, or before hosting a big pool party.
A pool gets shocked with a solution made of chlorine and water. Be sure to use a chlorine brand that is safe for saltwater pools. You want to ensure you are using the right amount of chlorine for your pool size.
You’ll need to wait 8 hours to let the chlorine dissolve into your pool. This means no swimming or using the pool during this time. You’ll also want to recheck your pool levels afterward.
If you have a big algae problem, you may want to shock your pool more than once. This helps to kill the algae and enhance the look of your pool water.
Building a Backyard Oasis with the Right Pool Design
As you can see, how to maintain a saltwater pool is quite easy when following these tips and tricks. A saltwater pool is a top choice for homeowners looking to add to their outdoor living areas.
Note that it is also important to seal your deck when adding a saltwater pool. This helps to prevent the salt water from causing any damage. It will also increase the longevity of your deck material.
Custom swimming pools are a beautiful way to transform your backyard space. They combine stunning designs that compliment your decking and home exterior.
Learn more about how a custom pool design can enhance your backyard.
