Keeping your pool clean and sparkling doesn’t have to be a challenge. The key to keeping any pool clean is regular and routine care. Even if you have a pool company come and surface your pool, there are things on your end that will maintain that glimmer.

Skimming the debris out of your pool, especially when it is on the surface is important. Once the debris sinks to the bottom, it becomes harder to remove. Use a net with a handle to remove the unwanted objects in your pool. Doing so every few days will do just fine.

The benefit of skimming is to maintain your pool’s circulation and decreases the amount of chemicals you will have to use. Cleaning out your pool’s straining baskets also provides this benefit. Just remove the basket and shake out all the junk that piled up in there.

Leaving a vacuum in your pool will also limit your chemical use. The vacuum will keep the water clear by sucking up any dirt that settles to the bottom. There are vacuums you can leave in your pool or there are vacuums you can manually use. If you’re using a manual one, you’ll need to vacuum your pool once a week.

Brushing the walls of your pool should also be done once a week. Algae and calcium like to build-up on this part of your pool. By leaving the walls unclean can cause bigger problems over time. When it comes to brushes to clean your walls; different types of materials call for different types of brushes. For plaster-lined concrete use a stiff brush. For vinyl or fiberglass walls and tiles, use a softer one. Other tools you can use are a pumice stone or a putty knife. Combine one of these tools with a mixture of half water and half muriatic acid to scrub your walls clean.

Cleaning the pool filter is an important step to keeping your water clear. Cleaning the filter periodically will keep it working properly. The timing of the needed clean will depend on the usage of your pool. However, cleaning it too often will hurt the process of filtration. Having some dirt in the filter will help capture more dirt and debris.

If you notice your pool isn’t heating adequately, you may need to get the heater serviced. Gas heaters should be cleaned every few years and electric every five or so years. The manual will give you the exact amount of years for servicing. Use a professional for cleaning your heaters and refer to the manual for care instructions.

Maintain the water level using your hose to keep it above the level of the skimmer. If it falls too far below, the pump could become damaged. There isn’t any way to prevent loss of water so keeping an eye on its level is important.

Other reasons why your pool’s water is low are leaks. You can test for leaks by using a bucket of water. Mark the water line of the bucket and place it in the pool to float. Wait a few days and compare the water line of your pool and the bucket. There will be a difference in water loss if there is a leak. Have a professional come and patch up the leak for you.

The pH level is important to maintain as well. Having a pH level between 7.2 and 7.8 is perfect for your pool to stay clean and safe to swim in. Keep testing kits handy to track your pool’s pH level and determine the chemicals you need to bring it back to the correct number.

Having a pool is fun but maintaining it properly will keep that fun around for longer. Use these simple strategies to ensure a healthy, glistening pool that’s safe for your family to enjoy.