How to Keep Pool Water Clean?

Proper Water Filtration Is Essential

Water filtration is among the most vital steps in maintaining pool water purity. Your filtration system should cycle and filter the pool's entire water volume at least twice a day. We recommend setting the pump to run across multiple intervals throughout the day, totalling at least 8 hours daily. If you do not yet have a pool enclosure to keep out leaves, insects, and environmental debris, make sure to clean and inspect the filter baskets regularly so your pump is not overburdened. If you have a sand filter, backwash the filter sand once a week to flush out accumulated fine particles. Sand should be replaced every two years.

You can never go wrong by running your filtration longer, particularly during extended heatwaves. Skimping on filtration runtimes never pays off: if water turns murky or green, the cost of rescue chemicals often far exceeds the minor electricity savings.

Maintaining the proper water level is equally crucial for skimmers to operate correctly, especially on hot days when evaporation rates are highest or after backwashing. A pool enclosure drastically curtails water evaporation.

Regular Cleaning of the Pool Floor, Walls, and Skimmer Basket

Use a manual pool vacuum or an automatic robotic cleaner to remove sediment that has settled on the floor and walls. Regular vacuuming prevents algae colonies from adhering and stops sludge from building up. Don't forget to empty the skimmer basket regularly to remove leaves and twigs before they reach the pump intake.

Types of Pool Vacuums:

• Manual / Handheld: The most common and budget-friendly cleaning solution. Consists of a brush head on a telescopic pole connected via a hose to the skimmer/filter suction.
• Semi-Automatic Vacuum: Moves across the pool bottom on its own using the suction generated by the sand filter pump. Its main benefit is saving you manual labour.
• Automatic Robotic Cleaner: Operates almost completely autonomously. Its great advantage is having its own internal filter canister and intelligent mapping sensors. Many units feature customized cleaning programmes.

When using a sand filter with a manual or semi-automatic suction cleaner, always backwash the filter sand briefly after vacuuming.

Chemical Balancing and Minimizing Chemical Use

Proper pH balancing is the foundation of pool water health. Pool water pH should consistently stay between 7.2 and 7.6, which is optimal for swimmer comfort and effective sanitizer action. Measure the pH with a water test kit available at any pool store. During extreme heat waves, after thunderstorms, or following heavy bather load, water may occasionally turn green despite routine care. In such situations, a "Shock Chlorination" treatment rapidly spikes free chlorine to eradicate algae and bacteria. Swimmers with sensitive skin should wait 48 hours before entering the water. Normal free chlorine should measure between 0.4 and 1.0 mg/L. For ongoing maintenance, 5-in-1 multi-action tablets have proven most reliable. If the water smells strongly of chlorine but tests show normal levels, combined chlorine (chloramines formed from sweat and suntan oils) is present – shock treatment resolves this as well. To clear micro-turbidity, add a water clarifier/flocculant.

For effortless water care and stable water parameters, we recommend covering your pool with an enclosure, which stops organic debris and contaminants at the perimeter. It is also good practice to shower before entering and avoid wearing heavy cosmetic creams in the water.