Not to deny, but swimming pools are a great addition to the backyard of any property.
Swimming pools come with several perks. From hosting a pool party to relaxing with your family on weekends, pools are the perfect space to escape mundane life.
However, this luxurious addition requires a lot of maintenance to keep its waters pristine and debris-free. Pool maintenance isn’t challenging if you do it with dedication and commitment.
Even though pool care professionals can help you maintain the health of your pool, opting for pool supplies is the best bet. However, you cannot simply walk into a pool store and get anything you want.
Before investing in supplies for pools, you must know which ones are necessary for pool maintenance. And that’s what this guide is all about. Apart from saving hundreds of dollars, you’ll be able to take care of your pool like a pro.
So, let’s dive right in!
Pool Supplies You Need This Summer
Swimming pools are the perfect hang-out space for friends and families. But, before taking a dip into the pool, you must clean the pool thoroughly to ensure their safety.
Whether above-ground pools or in-ground pools, it’s better to revive them before jumping into the water. That said, we’ve listed some of the important supplies you must get to maintain the health of your pool.
So, let’s take a look.
1. Test Strips
If you own a pool, then the first thing you need to do is stock up on some test strips. It is important to test the pool water once a week because that will let you keep track of the pool water quality.
When buying test strips, make sure you get a chlorine test kit. Chlorine test strips will help you maintain the chlorine level of the water.
2. Pool Cleaner
Whether you have an above-ground pool or a swim spa, a pool cleaner is an absolute necessity for pool owners. No matter how much you try to protect the pool from the elements, debris, dust, and fine particles, they sneak into the pool’s water. That’s when a pool vacuum or cleaner will come in handy.
Of course, such unwanted guests are annoying, but a pool cleaner will wipe them away. Hence, you can enjoy swimming in crystal-clear water.
3. Algae Scrub Brush
We are sure you wouldn’t want algae to devour your pool equipment and the pool. Hence, when buying pool supplies, ensure you include algae brush too.
If you’re looking for brushes to remove algae growth from ladders, walls and other surfaces, going for brushes with stainless steel bristles is the best bet. Alternatively, you can opt for brushes with nylon bristles for vinyl liners.
4. Skimmer Basket
Debris, dirt and grime are a source of nuisance for pool owners. Hence, don’t forget to get a skimmer basket to clean your pool. Thanks to its telescopic pole, you can also remove floating debris and debris from hard-to-reach areas.
5. Pool Shock
Are dead skin, microbes and allergens troubling you? Then a pool shock is the one that will come to your rescue. If your pool emits foul odours, the pool chemistry isn’t balanced well. Hence, it’s time to add shock to your pool.
Regardless of what lurks in your pool’s water, adding some shock will sanitise the pool’s water, making it safe to swim. Also, it’s wise to sanitise your pool after heavy downpours or family gatherings.
6. Essential Tools
Keeping a toolbox in the pool area is always the best decision. A toolbox will always come in handy if you use a screwdriver to tighten loose nuts or a wrench. Hence, keeping them in or around the pool area will save you from running inside now and then.
7. Pool Cover
Not to forget, a pool cover is one of the essential pool supplies for pool owners. When buying pool covers, always ensure that they are the right fit for your pool.
Only when they are the perfect fit, they will protect your pool from leaves, debris and other dirt and grime. It must also be durable enough to withstand the winter season. Hence, investing in a top-notch cover is the best bet.
8. Pool Chemicals
Keeping the water level balanced is the key to the pool’s longevity. So, when you’re buying pool supplies, don’t forget to include pool chemicals in your shopping bag. For alkalinity levels, you’ll need an alkalinity increase, like sodium bicarbonate.
Meanwhile, pool stabilisers such as cyanuric acid are a must-have for pool owners to balance water. Algaecide is a chemical that suppresses algae growth in the water. If you notice a drop in hardness level, increase calcium hardness in the swimming pool.
How To Prep The Pool For Summer?
1. Clean The Pool Cover
If the winter season is bidding farewell, it’s time to begin cleaning your pool. Of course, you wouldn’t want the dirt, grime, debris, or branches of trees to get into the pool. Hence, clean the cover of your pool. With a long-handled brush, remove the dirt from the cover.
2. Fill Up The Pool With Water
After you’ve cleaned the cover, it’s time to fill water into the pool. Since pools require large volumes of water, make sure you have sufficient water to fill the pool.
3. Add Chemicals Into The Pool
Next, we come to the most important part of prepping the pool — adding chemicals. Your pool was untouched for about four to five months. Hence, the water isn’t safe for your health. And that’s why, before diving in, you must add chemicals to ensure there aren’t any nasties sitting inside.
Pool test kits are great for checking the chemistry of the pool water. After adding the chemicals, know it is safe to jump in when the water is crystal-clear.
4. Shock Treatment
Pool owners are pretty much familiar with shock treatment. However, if you’re a newbie, let us tell you what it is.
When chlorine level is raised above 5ppm for oxidising bacteria and algae cells, it is known as shock treatment—shocking the pool once a week is an excellent option to protect your pool from dangers lurking in the pool water.
5. Putting Elbow Grease
When you decide to open your pool for parties, do not forget to scrub the pool using elbow grease.
Along with baskets, clean the filter, whether a cartridge or sand filter. Cleaning the filter properly is essential. Next, scrub the tiles and clean the surrounding area. Also, don’t forget to check the deck.
6. Double-Check Everything
When you’re done with most of the tasks of prepping the swimming pool, it’s important to check whether the pool devices are in top-notch condition. Along with the pump, filter system, strainer basket, don’t forget to check all other pool equipment to ensure they are working properly.
Summer Pool Supplies
Owning a swimming pool is no less than a luxury. However, it is important to maintain the pool for proper functioning. Maintaining a pool isn’t a daunting task with all the abovementioned supplies. Of course, you’ll also develop a new skill and save thousands of dollars.
That said, we have come to the end of our short informative guide. But, before we sign off, here’s a piece of advice for you — keep children away while prepping your pool to avoid accidents.
Hopefully, you enjoyed reading the guide as much as we loved writing it for you. Maintaining the pool could be more fun if you involve your friends and family.
Till then, enjoy the summer season and have fun!
