Summer is here and you want to use the pool. Before the first swim of the season, a proper clean is non-negotiable. And even once you're in regular use, periodic maintenance keeps the water safe and clear throughout the season.
Routine and Deep Cleaning
Pool maintenance covers three areas, all equally important:
- The walls and floor of the pool
- The filter
- The water itself
Stay on top of all three and you'll have a clean, inviting pool from opening day to the end of the season.
1. Cleaning the Walls and Floor
Start by vacuuming the pool floor and walls. A dedicated pool vacuum like the LAVOR SWIMMY makes this much faster than scrubbing by hand. For stubborn deposits, follow up with a stiff brush, an appropriate pool cleaning product, or a pressure washer. You'll find Bestway above-ground pools and pressure washers in our range.
2. Cleaning the Filter
The filter pump keeps water circulating and removes particles from the water. There are two common filter types:
- Cartridge filter: remove the cartridge regularly, rinse it thoroughly, and replace it when it's past its useful life.
- Sand filter: regular backwashing restores the filter's capacity and flushes out accumulated debris.
Both systems work well with consistent maintenance. A neglected filter is one of the most common causes of cloudy pool water.
3. Water Treatment
Shock Chlorination
At the start of the season and whenever the water looks visibly dirty, shock chlorination is necessary. Use Dichloro in powder or tablet form. A few important points:
- Set the filter to "Recirculate" mode, not "Filtration", during treatment
- Apply after sunset so that UV light doesn't immediately break down the chlorine
- Wait at least 24 hours before swimming
- Repeat roughly every 15 days
- Don't overdo it: too much chlorine irritates skin and eyes
Our 3-in-1 chlorine powder and corresponding tablets work well for both shock treatment and regular dosing.
Optimal pH
Pool water should sit at a pH of 7.4 to 7.6. Test it regularly with a testing kit.
- pH too high: lower it with hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid (H2SO4) or sodium bisulphate.
- pH too low: raise it with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or sodium bicarbonate.
For more on water quality, see our article on removing limescale from water.
Algaecide
Algae develop quickly in warm weather. Add algaecide to your pool regularly, both as prevention and at the first sign of growth. Treating algae early is far easier than clearing a pool that's already turned green.