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Splash into summer with pool safety

Summer’s here, the sun is blazing and the weather is HOT, so what better place to cool down and relax then in your very own swimming pool! Having a pool is like having a puppy, though. You need to care for it, treat it right and take extra safety precautions so that everyone that comes in contact with it will have a good time and stay safe in the process. Below are some tips on how to properly clean and care for your pool, so that your time in or out of it will be a splash!

To keep your pool clean, be sure to run the filter between eight and 12 hours per day – the filter is what extracts the dirt and grime from the pool. You’ll want to clean this out regularly. Next, clean out the skimmer basket and remove debris from the water on a daily basis. Pool floor cleaners are a wise investment because they’re automatic and you can just put them in the water and let them do all the work.

Making sure your pool’s water is balanced is another important step in pool care as well as in health care. If your pool water is off-balanced or contaminated, those that use it are at a higher risk of getting sick. There are two chemicals that pool owners typically use: bromine and chlorine. In effect, they both do the same thing—kill bacteria and organisms in pool water. Bromine has been known to cause less eye irritation or burning of the skin. If you use chlorine, and notice a strong chlorine scent, contrary to popular belief, that doesn’t mean you used too much, it means you didn’t use enough. In this case, you will need to shock your pool. Shocking a pool adds a larger than normal amount of chemicals to pool water. The chemicals oxidize and destroy contaminants, while bringing your pool back to the pH level it should be. Talk with a pool specialist at your local pool store and find out what types of chemicals would best suited for your pool.

Algae is a common problem for many pool owners, but luckily, algae is easily treatable. At the first sign of it, drop in an algaecide and it will kill off the algae. It should be noted, though, that using an algaecide will drop the chlorine level of your pool, so you’ll need to test, rebalance and shock the water afterwards.

Fences are a MUST when you have a pool. When you build a fence or have one installed, be sure it is high enough so that small children or pets can’t climb over it. Also, look around the pool area and be sure there are no chairs or large objects that may help boost a child over the edge.

A self-closing and self-locking gate is another important feature for pool areas. It gives you the added security of knowing that if you forget to close the gate, it will automatically close and lock itself.

If you have a removable ladder, make sure that it is taken out of the pool and put it away when you’re done. Leaving it near the pool may seem like a good idea (for easy access) but ultimately, it is just screaming for someone to set it up and hop back in the water. 

When it comes to pool coverings you will want to be sure that the cover or tarp is on secure and tight, the looser it is, the more dangerous it will be. Also, if you’re going to be swimming, don’t leave it partially over the pool. Pull it off completely so no one gets tangled or stuck underneath.

If you’re in need of a home inspector, look to the professionals at the Home Team Inspection Service. Our team of professionals will provide you with the home inspection you deserve.