Pools require summer care. They need to be maintained and cleaned just like your home or car does. They have specific cleaning needs that cannot be easily completed with household cleaning products or appliances. There are many gadgets and items out there specifically designed to make pool ownership much easier. Take a look at this article to read through popular cleaning products, you might just find one you’ve always been looking for!
Vacuum Heads
One of the easiest and quickest ways to clean up your pool is a thorough vacuuming. Pools need to be vacuumed on a regular basis. The vacuum head attaches to the pool and then a vacuum hose is attached directly to the vacuum head. The head and pole are then lowered into the pool water. It’s important to purchase the right type of vacuum head for your pool. If it has wheels, it’s made for a concrete pool. If it has brushes, it is designed for vinyl lined pools.
Telescoping Pole
Telescoping poles are multipurpose. They can be used with just about all pool cleaning items, such as a vacuum head listed above. They are typically made from aluminum; however, the best ones are made from fiberglass.
Vacuum Hose
This is used in conjunction with a vacuum head. The vacuum hose connects to both the vacuum head and the telescoping pole. It is lowered into the pool. the vacuum hose needs to be filled with water and then be plugged into the end of the skimmer suction hole or a dedicated vacuum line. The water and dirt are pulled directly into the filter pump basket through the pool vacuum hose.
Leaf Traps
A leaf trap does just what you would think, traps leaves. It is a small canister placed at the end of the vacuum hose just before the pool skimmer. In the canister there is a large basket that will trap the leaves and the debris before it gets to the pump. This works for leaves and acorns.
Pool Brush
Pool brushing seems to be one of the most over looked aspects of pool maintenance. Your pool should be brushed at least once per week. Brushing helps remove algae and other films or dirt on your pool walls. It removes all the tiny particles that won’t be removed by vacuuming. This step is important because it will help prevent slimy walls or strange films on the side and bottom of your pool. There are a few different kinds of pool brushes. Stainless steel is recommended for plaster or concrete pools. Plastic bristle brushes can be used on any type of pool, especially vinyl pools.
Skimmer Nets
This is most likely the most popular piece of equipment used in almost every pool. It works by attaching to your telescoping pole and filtering out large debris or bugs from your pool. Ideally it should be used on a daily basis to remove floating debris from the pool before it sinks to the floor.
Leaf Bagger
This piece of equipment is perfect for fall. Some argue it’s one of the best inventions since the tele poll. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘leaf master’. It is a jet style vacuum that uses water pressure from a garden hose to create a Venturi affect. It is ideal for a quick spot clean and cleaning out a ton of leaves from your pool floor.
Pumice Stone
This works well for concrete pools. A pumice stone is a rough stone that can be rubbed over a specific area of your pool (usually a small stain), and scrub it away. It will even remove paint stains.
Tile Brushes
Having a clean tile band is a key factor of keeping your tiled pool look nice. It’s a good idea to scrub the tile band weekly with a tile cleaner. This is best done with a non abrasive brush such as a tile brush. A great feature of tile brushes is they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find the perfect one for your pool.