General Safety and Maintenance Tips for Your Swimming Pool

Every year hundreds of people by new pools, whether they're the in-ground type or the backyard above-ground type. Pools come with all sorts of instructions but there are a few facts that pool manufacturers don't provide. This guide will help new pool owners determine what they need to keep their pools safe and clean.

It takes about an hour a day to take care of an 18-foot pool. If your pool is much larger consider a couple hours the minimum you'll need for pool maintenance each day. Don't make the mistake of thinking that if you have a cheap backyard pool that it doesn't require much maintenance. All sorts of bacteria can grown in untreated pools, causing illness in family members, particularly kids.

Routine maintenance of your pool requires you to have a net for scooping out large objects, like leaves. You'll also need a test kit which indicates which chemicals are low and need added. This is very important to make sure the pool is not only sanitary, but is not over-treated causing swimmers to receive chlorine burns to eyes and nostrils. You'll also need a pool vac. There are different types depending upon whether or not you have a vacuum inlet on the filter system. You'll need to vacuum the pool daily, or weekly, depending upon how many swimmers there have been and how much debris has fallen into the pool.

You'll cut down considerably on pool maintenance if you make sure there is a water hose or outdoor shower that swimmers can rinse off with before entering the pool. Sand and dirt on the bottoms of feet, as well as powders, lotions and other body supplies, can cause extra maintenance.

You'll need a nylon brush or glove with which to clean the walls of the pool, usually weekly. If you have a large pool these can be found in a type that has a long handle making it easier to clean from outside of the pool.

You'll need various chemicals to keep the pool clean. Chemicals to prevent algae build-up, chemicals to make the ph balance go up or down, chlorine tablets, and shock, to purify water that has become cloudy or odorous. Make sure that you always keep pool chemicals locked away, in a cool place, away from kids and animals.

Chemicals aren't the only thing needed to have and keep a safe and clean pool. You'll need to make sure you've got a good fence around the pool, regardless of whether or not your city code requires it. Check frequently to make sure the gate is locked, particularly at night, and be sure the fence has no places where children could squeeze through.

Cover your pool with a tarp, when you can, if it's not in use. There are now pool alarms, which are well worth the cost, that can be set while the pool is not in use. If anything breaks the water surface the alarm will sound to alert the owners and nearby residents. These alarms have already saved lives and are worth their weight in gold.

Pool safety and cleanliness are all part of being a pool owner, so make sure you follow the guidelines of the pool manufacturer, test water regularly and keep chemical levels maintained, and take measures to be sure your pool is safe for kids.