Keeping your pool properly serviced and maintained will mean clean water that is healthy for swimmers and avoiding rings, stains and other such damage to the pool's walls and flooring. You can have a pool service company maintain your pool for you, and their service rep can be very helpful when it comes to your pool's cleaning, but note a few common questions you might have about a pool's overall servicing. This will ensure your home's pool is always clean and fresh and ready for a swim!
How do you get rid of a ring around the pool?
A ring around a pool is often caused by a build-up of oils, lotions, and dirt that rinses off swimmers, which then floats to the top of the water, clinging to the pool's walls. Avoid using a scrub brush or pad to clean this ring, as this can damage and scratch the tiles or pool liner and may not actually clean that ring. Instead, use a cleanser meant for the pool's surface in particular; tiles may need to be cleaned with a bleach solution, whereas vinyl may need a less harsh cleanser. There are also enzyme products you can add to the water which will break down body oils and other greasy substances that cause these rings.
How long should swimmers wait before using the pool after treatment?
If your pool has been given a "shock" or a "bomb," meaning a concentrated type of treatment, you'll want to wait until the water has been completely turned over, or put through the pool's filter, before swimming. This will vary according to the size of the pool and its filter and the speed of your pool's pump. If you're not sure how long it would take for the water to be fully filtered, ask your pool cleaner or service rep.
Can pool chemicals be used season after season?
Don't assume that chemicals never break down or degrade, as anything you use to clean and maintain your pool will have an expiration date. If you use these products after they've expired, this might be damaging to the pool's tiles or liner, or extra harsh on your skin. These chemicals may also be ineffective after they've expired causing your pool's filter to work harder to clean the water. If you cannot find an expiration date on a canister of chemicals, check online for that chemical's expected lifespan, or ask your pool cleaner how long those chemicals last before they need to be disposed of.