Did you know that the sun hastens the dissipation of chlorine, so the best time to add CHLORINE is in the evening while the pump is on, run it at night if you can, for best efficiency.

Having lots of swimmers at any given time will introduce more pollutants like body oils, perspiration, suntan lotion and so on, and you need to compensate by adding more chlorine. Encouraging pool users to shower first has merit, but welcome to the real world!

Heavy rain will usually make the water in your swimming pool lose its clarity (start to turn green, or lose its transparency). Add a shock dose of chlorine (say 3-4 times the daily dose) to get the water back to normal. Check the pH - the water may need acid. When preparing acid solution, remember: water in the bucket first, acid last.

What level of water is best in a swimming pool? Ensure that the water level is never less than half-way up the skimmer opening. If the level is too low, the pump will begin to suck air, and may burn out.

How do I clean up a neglected, green-looking pool?

After a wind storm, remove any leaves and other debris from the pool, because they tend to affect the water balance rather quickly. Take in a sample of your pool water to your local pool shop for testing on a regular basis. They can do more rigorous tests than is possible with a simple test kit, and can suggest additives to correct water balance. Keep an eye out for metal parts on kids toys: if they remain in the pool, they may cause rust marks. If the plumber is working on guttering nearby, ensure that metal swarf isn't swept into the pool: rust marks are very difficult to remove!

A word about pool safety: always keep the pool fence gate shut, because we can't predict when somebody else's child (or maybe our own) will enter the pool area and get into trouble. Always use plastic tumblers (rather than glass) in the pool area, to avoid unexpected injury. Learn about basic resuscitation techniques before you put in your pool: you won't regret doing a CPR course on the day you use it on your own child!

 Swimming Pool Maintenance

It is essential to carry out routine maintenance procedures in order to prolong the life-span of your pool.  Regular cleaning is vital to maintain hygiene especially since unclean water can lead to health problems.  It is important to be aware of issues regarding the maintenance of the pool such as habitually checking the sanitizers and running the pump for an average of 9 hours a day in order to keep a good water flow.  Algae (cyanobacteria) invariably builds up in any pool which can lead to the water appearing more like pond water, greenish and scummy.  The following are some basic guidelines on how to maintain your pool.

Water The acid content of the water needs to be regulated about twice a week.  It is measured on the pH scale where 7 is neutral, 2 the most acidic and 14 the least acidic.  The ideal pH level for pool water is between 7.2-7.6.  Regular checks of the acid level and calcium hardness will prevent scale forming on the surfaces and the water turning cloudy.  The use of chlorine in a pool is important as it kills bacteria, algae and breaks down waste from swimmers.  It is advisable to shock the pool with chlorine every couple of weeks to kill and dispose of algae.  Before using any chemicals in your water, it is best to seek professional advice as it can be a tricky business for a new pool owner.

Cleaning Remove any leaves and debris from the pool surface daily.  Chlorine can kill bacteria and algae, but sometimes the algae built up will require the use of algaecides.  The remains of the algae cannot be broken down by the use of chlorine or algaecides but will need regular shock treatment.  In general, chlorine is the best cleaning product for a pool as it is effective in killing bacteria, algae and can break down lotions, oils and skin debris left from the swimmers.  However, if you would prefer not to use chlorine in the water, alternatives are available such as copper and silver, bromine and ozone.  Routine cleaning should involve using a hand-held skimmer to clean the water surface daily; clean the baskets in the skimmers and pumps three times a week and scrub off algae whenever it starts to build up.  The filters should be cleaned at least twice per season since the sanitizers work best whilst the filters are clean.  The water in the pool also circulates better whilst the filters are clean and thus allows the chemicals to be distributed more evenly in the water.

Include the following equipment in your routine check-ups:

The ladder, skimmer baskets, auto-fills, pump baskets, safety covers, water balance, the electrics and the heater if your pool is heated.