When you build or purchase a home in Barbados, the dream (nearly) always includes owning a swimming pool. The opportunity to take a cooling dip at any time of day, watch the kids play or relax while listening to the water is an enduring fantasy for many.
Of course, in most cases, you’ll use the services of a professional pool cleaner to ensure that the water is pristine and safe and the pool is protected and looking its best.
However, if you’re new to swimming pool ownership, there are still some essential maintenance tips you need to know so you can look after your pool and protect the people who use it – especially in the heat of a tropical summer. Not to mention avoiding any additional upkeep.
Top 5 Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips
1 Checking the pool’s circulation
Proper circulation in a pool help maintain its cleanliness and clarity, but it’s essential for the upkeep of a swimming pool in hot temperatures.
It is advised that you run your primary pump anywhere from eight to 12 hours per day. This time range is different depending on the kind of pool you have. For example, you may need to run the pump for even more extended periods if you have a salt system. This is because the salt system will not function unless the pump runs simultaneously.
2 Focus on Filtration
Skimmer baskets, the pump basket, and the filter need to be cleaned regularly and kept debris free. In addition, check to see that your filter is functioning correctly, and always remember to give it a backwash every so often (or cleaned).
3 Brush, brush and then brush again
Brushing helps prevent algae from becoming established, so while many dread it, it is crucial, especially in hot temperatures. Focus on low circulation areas such as pool steps, benches and corners.
Brushing two to three times a week rather than the usual one will prevent any algae from growing. It will also avoid more expensive future maintenance if the algae are left untreated.
4 Skimming the surface
While the weather in Barbados can be hot, there is usually an accompanying island breeze that can cause debris from plants and trees to fall into the pool. These decomposing materials can cause algae to develop.
It’s recommended that you increase the number of times you skim your pool to stay on top of its upkeep. Try to skim early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the hottest times of the day.
5 Increase your chemistry level checks
The sun can be rather harmful to the concentration of chlorine present in your pool water. This is because chlorine can break down in just two hours and be dissipated by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
When it comes to preventing algae growth, this is a significant obstacle. However, you can combat this by chemical testing more frequently and ensuring your chlorine levels remain at optimum levels.
During the summer heat, you might want to use a preventative algaecide.
Key pool chemistry indicators
- Cyanuric acid between 30 and 50 ppm
- Chlorine between 2.0 and 4.0 ppm
- pH between 7.2 and 7.6
- The salt content in a salt pool between 2700 and 3500 ppm.
- Alkalinity between 80 and 100 for calcium hypochlorite, salt, and liquid chlorine pools
- 100 to 120 for pools containing dichlor and trichlor
- Calcium hardness between 200 to 400 ppm
When dealing with swimming pools in warm weather, the most important thing to remember is to keep the pH at the appropriate level. For example, when the pH is at 7.2, chlorine, including salt pools, is much more effective than when it is at 7.6; therefore, you should strive to maintain a pH in the lower half of the range (7.2 to 7.4).
If you have any further tips to help pool maintenance in a hot climate, then we’d love to hear from you. Contact the team at info@berkanconstrution.com or complete the contact form.