Owning a swimming pool is a luxury and there are no two ways about this. And while owning a pool is glamorous and fun, there are some technical aspects that require a lot of time and research. A well-maintained pool can add oodles of fun to a household. After all, no one finds a mold-smelling swimming pool inviting and enticing, am I right? And that’s where pool maintenance comes in. Not only does it keep the pool fresh and clean, but it also prevents germs and bacteria from spreading, and makes your pool area the heart of your house.
Maintaining a swimming pool is no joke, and while there are millions of articles all over the internet regarding the best pool maintenance tips, there are some myths that you must never buy into.
Saltwater Pools Are Maintenance-Free
This is one of the most common misconceptions people have about saltwater swimming pools. There is no such thing as a “maintenance-free” swimming pool. Yes, it’s true that a saltwater swimming pool requires way less maintenance than a regular swimming pool, but please don’t be fooled that zero maintenance is involved in these pools. When it comes to swimming pools, no such thing as no maintenance exists! In fact, saltwater swimming pools require extra chlorine added to them.
Pools Cost A Lot To Maintain.
Don’t let this myth discourage you from getting your own backyard swimming pool. Yes, it is true that you need regular maintenance to keep your pool in top-notch conditions, but it is definitely not crazy expensive that you can’t afford it. Back in the day, swimming pool maintenance did burn a hole in our wallets, but pool technology has come a long way, and now the maintenance costs have dropped considerably. And remember, getting your pool serviced periodically will cost way less than not caring about it at all and then bearing a huge price to fix the pool after a very long time. So be smart and when you do get to the point where you want to get a backyard swimming pool, make a plan to regularly get your maintenance done. This way, you can even set a budget for yourself and not get stressed about the expenses.
The Best Way to Clean your Pool is to Drain it.
Regular cleaning of your pool is a must, but draining your entire pool is not the answer. Yes, while you should drain your pool every 5-7 years, it is just not economically and sustainably practical to do it every time you want to clean it. Also, if you are always taking out the water and replacing it with fresh water in your pool, many other reasons are bound to pop up, and you might not even be aware. Pool technology has come a long way and there are simpler and better ways to clean up your pool without the tedious task of draining and refilling your swimming pool. You can most definitely resort to completely draining your swimming pool when it is dirty and there’s no other option, but to start fresh, however, this should be a last resort.
Backwashing your Filter More Frequently for Effectiveness.
One more common myth is that when you backwash your swimming pool filter, it increases the life of the filter. While it is true that backwashing can help remove some of the grime that often gets stuck in the filter, it is not true that if it is done regularly it will increase the effectiveness of the filter. A pool pump and filter do the job of trapping debris floating around in the pool. Backwashing is a temporary measure you can employ one in 5-6 weeks, but it is definitely not a final solution. If you find debris constantly getting stuck in your pool, then it’s probably time for a better filter or a thorough cleanup of the pool.
It’s totally okay to clean your pool with chemicals you use for daily cleaning.
There is a reason why specific chemical cleaners exist for specific purposes. Household cleaners usually target floors, bathrooms, or kitchen surfaces, and aren’t necessarily strong enough to deal with tougher spaces like swimming pools. To clean a swimming pool, only use specific pool cleaners that are recommended by experts. It can be tempting to save some cash and just make do with what you have available at home, but that is setting you up for failure in the future. Not only are household chemicals not powerful enough to handle swimming pool cleaning, but they might also contain ingredients that will harm your swimming pool in the long run, so choose your cleaners wisely.
Additional Read: Myths About Swimming Pool Maintenance