Blog Details

Keeping your pool clean during the lockdown

With the temperature rising, many people, if they haven’t already, will be looking forward to sitting by their pool with the family, enjoying the warm weather and the opportunity to catch some rays, while keeping cool, or even getting fit with a few early morning laps to kickstart the day.

You’ve probably already noticed your pool is used even more these days, particularly as a a consequence of having to stay at home, due to the measures put in a place by the government to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Now more than ever, maintaining your pool by ensuring the water remains clean and crystal clear is of the utmost importance.

At Hitches & Glitches, providers of pool maintenance services, we’ve come up with some easy-to-implement tips that will keep your pool, and the surrounding area, in great condition.

1. Use a bit of elbowgrease
2. Skimming leaves or other debris from the surface of the water should be done as routinely as cleaning your teeth or reading the news in the morning. Preventing algae build-up by scrubbing the side of the pool should also become a regular task, twice a month should be enough, however, keep an eye on any specific areas of the pool that is prone to growth and gets scrubbing!
3. The beating heart of the pool
4. It’s vital to look after the pool pumps and filters by cleaning them at least once a month. Cleaning frequency can vary depending on several factors, is the pool is in an area prone to leaves or other debris for example? It’s important to remove anything that clogs the pipes and prevents the pool from being properly filtered and the water clean.
5. Turning the filter on and off regularly can cause wear and tear to the mechanics, use a filter and timer to prevent this and it will maximise efficiency.
6. Check the chemicals
7. Maintaining the chemical levels in the pool is crucial. To avoid skin and eye irritation, preventing the water from becoming murky, or more importantly killing bacteria, keep the balance of the water on point. Testing kits can be bought locally from your pool supplier which will allow you to assess and ensure the pool pH levels are in the neutral zone, spikes in acidity can be prevented through the use of alkaline and your chosen sanitiser to kill bacteria.
8. We would suggest however if you are in any doubt, call the professionals, Hitches &Glitches offer a range of swimming pool maintenance packages year-round.
9. Keeping it on the level
10. The water level is important, too low or too high, you risk damaging the machinery by sucking in air to the filter and burning out the pump, or ‘flooding’ it and causing it to work extra hard. We can advise on the optimum level and simply top-up the water level using a garden hose, or in the event that it has been overfilled, a range of pumps are available to reduce the water level. It's worth noting that a pool that requires regular topping-up may have more serious underlying problems such as cracked and leaking tiles.
11. All hands on deck
12. You should never forget the surrounding deck or patio area. Bacteria, algae, and dirt can all be traced back to the pool if the area surrounding it isn't regularly cleaned. Use a power hose or cleaner and scrub it with a long-handled brush at least one month. Sweep up leaves, dust, and other debris at least once a week.

Above groundpools

As a result of community pools being closed across the UAE, many residents have opted for modestly priced above-ground temporary pools. Maintenance of these share many similarities with a regular pool in that they need to be regularly cleaned and scrubbed, chemicals should be checked daily and before adding to the pool they should be dissolved in water.

Filters for the pump are disposable and should be replaced every two weeks or more regularly depending on usage.

HOT TIP – a tennis ball placed in the pool will help clear surface oils from sun lotion and other creams.

Time for the professionals

We all know pools are a big investment so if you see any leaks or cracks or can’t fix something by yourself or are unsure of how to do so, it’s time to call in the professionals and use a trusted swimming pool maintenance company. Leaving something could result in major problems, which could quite literally be money down the drain.

Avoid this with year-round professional pool maintenance and cleaning services in Dubai. Hitches & Glitches will spot potential problems you may have missed and recommend the most efficient techniques and outstanding solutions, for looking after your pool.

Now sit back, relax and enjoy your pool.

For more information on all your home maintenance needs, please visit www.hitchesandglitches.com