There’s no better way to cool off on a hot, humid summer day than taking a refreshing dip in your very own pool. Yet unless you give your pool the TLC it needs, what once was a backyard oasis can quickly turn into a swamp. Follow these pool maintenance Dos and Don’ts to ensure your pool is a fun and safe place to spend the summer months.

Don’t neglect pre-season clean-up.

After going unused for several months, your pool will need a proper cleanup. Use a pool net to remove leaves, branches, trash, and other debris, then run the filter prior to treating the water with the appropriate chemicals.

Do seek out balance.

Balance is important, both in life and in your pool. Follow your pool kit’s instructions and treat the water with the right chemicals to achieve just the right balance of alkalinity, calcium, and pH. This important process helps keep the water crystal clear, the filter clog-free, and prevents skin and eye irritation.

Don’t skip the chlorine.

Nothing kills bacteria as quickly, effectively, and inexpensively as chlorine. Do your research before deciding on the best way to chlorinate your pool. Do you prefer tabs or liquid, an all-in-one solution or a separate algaecide?

Do give it a shock.

Swimming pool specialists recommend shocking a pool twice a month by applying 3 to 5 times the normal chlorine (more often if you use your pool frequently). Shock treatments are available in granular and liquid form, as well as those that will deliver a swim-ready pool in as little as 15 minutes.

Don’t skip the algaecide.

Keep your pool water sparkling clean with weekly or biweekly algaecide treatments. Rain and wind can sweep all sorts of plant life into the water where it can quickly bloom and spread. Regular algaecide treatments keep plant life from taking over your backyard retreat.

Do prevent problems before they start.

Rinse the pool deck regularly, directing the hose away from the water so that any dirt or debris doesn’t end up in the pool. Check the weather forecast routinely and if rain is expected, cover the pool to prevent an algae infestation.

When swim time is over on a hot and humid day, then you have the cool, refreshing feeling of indoor air conditioning to look forward to. Or do you? Just as your pool needs regular attention to remain in top shape, so does your AC system. And while we don’t offer pool maintenance services, you can always count on us to keep you AC system running at peak performance while spotting minor issues before they become bigger repair problems. Has it been a year or more since you AC system was treated to our full preventive maintenance system? If so, contact PC Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling today to schedule service.