Pool School: A Beginner’s Guide to Pool Ownership

Welcome to Pool School! Owning a pool is exciting, but it also comes with responsibilities. This guide will cover the essentials you need to know to keep your pool clean, safe, and running efficiently.

Understanding Your Pool System

Your pool consists of several key components:

• Skimmer & Returns – The skimmer pulls debris from the surface, while the returns push clean water back into the pool.
• Pump – Circulates water through the filtration system.
• Filter – Removes debris and small particles from the water.
• Heater (Optional) – Maintains comfortable water temperature.
• Chemical System – Includes chlorine or alternative sanitizers to keep water safe.

Water Chemistry Basics

Keeping water balanced prevents algae, bacteria growth, and equipment damage. The key factors are:

• pH (7.2 - 7.6) – Affects chlorine efficiency and swimmer comfort.
• Chlorine (1-3 ppm) – Kills bacteria and algae.
• Alkalinity (80-120 ppm) – Stabilizes pH levels.
• Calcium Hardness (200-400 ppm) – Prevents damage to plaster or liner.
• Cyanuric Acid (30-50 ppm) – Protects chlorine from sunlight (for outdoor pools).

Circulation & Filtration

• Run your pump 8-12 hours per day for proper filtration.
• Clean or backwash your filter regularly (weekly for sand and DE filters, as needed for cartridges).
• Empty skimmer and pump baskets at least once a week to prevent clogging.

Cleaning & Maintenance

• Skim the surface daily to remove leaves and debris.
• Brush walls and floor weekly to prevent algae buildup.
• Vacuum the pool manually or with an automatic cleaner.

Seasonal Considerations

• Spring Opening – Follow Spring Opening Guide
• Winterizing – Follow pool closing guide.

Safety Tips For New Pool Owners

• Always have a secure fence around the pool.
• Keep a first aid kit and rescue equipment nearby.
• Never allow unsupervised swimming, especially for children

Troubleshooting Common Problems

• Cloudy Water? Check filter, chlorine levels, and pH balance.
• Algae Growth? Shock the pool and brush thoroughly.
• Strong Chlorine Smell? Likely means not enough chlorine, shock the pool to remove combined chloramines.

By following these basics, you’ll enjoy a clean, safe, and efficient pool all season long.