If you're looking to save money, as many of us are, during these tough economic times; you may want to consider taking over the maintenance of your swimming pool. Swimming pool care is really not as complicated as some pool services would have you think. The following list of basic facts can get you started on the road to keeping a sparkling pool and saving a nice chunk of money every month.

Check and Maintain the Proper Chemical Balance-The most important factor in swimming pool care is maintaining the proper water chemistry. This is accomplished by regularly testing the water and adding the appropriate chemicals as needed to adjust the balance. The five primary elements of pool water chemistry are:

• Chlorine-Sanitizes the water, killing bacteria, which maintains water clarity and prevents algae growth. The acceptable chlorine levels are between 0.5 and 3.0 PPM.
• PH-Measures the acidic quality of the water. Acceptable levels are between 7.2 and 7.6 PPM.
• Total Alkalinity-A measure of the alkaline materials in the water. Acceptable levels are between 80 and 120 PPM.
• Calcium Hardness-The measure of dissolved calcium in the water. Acceptable levels are between 250 and 500 PPM.
• Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid)-Stabilizes the chlorine in the water preventing it from being absorbed too quickly by the sun. Acceptable levels are between 30 and 60 PPM.

Keep the Filters Clean-The purpose of your swimming pool filter is to clean the debris and other trash from the water. With time, this debris will build up and restrict the flow of water; thus weakening the circulation. When this happens the filter pressure will rise and it's time to clean the filter. The following paragraphs decribe the cleaning process for the three most common types of filters.

• Sand-This is by far the most commonly used pool filters. The way it works is; as the water is circulated through, the sand traps small particles of debris and prevents them from being re-circulated to the pool. As larger amounts of debris clog the sand, the filter pressure rises and flow is reduced. Sand filters are cleaned by backwashing. Which is the process of reversing the flow of water through the sand to waste water line. The amount of use determines how frequently it needs to be done.
• Cartridge-These filters consist of one or more cartridges made of a pleated mesh type material, which catches the debris. The cleaning is simple. Just remove the filters and clean with a water hose; then re-install. Like the sand filters; the frequency of cleaning will depend on the size of the pool and filter as well as the amount of pool usage.
• DE Filters-These are extremely efficient filters which consist of a fine mesh fabric cartridge coated with a fine white powder called Diatomaceous Earth. The DE powder traps even the tiniest of particles. When the filter pressure rises; it must be backwashed to clean out the trapped debris. The difference is, unlike sand, when you backwash a DE filter; the powder is flushed along with the debris and must be replaced by adding more through the skimmer.

For more detailed instructions on cleaning and maintaining your specific filter; refer to the manufacturers recommendations.

Clean Skimmers Regularly-Skimmers trap large debris such as leaves, bugs, and other trash; preventing it from being sucked into the filter. The removable baskets should be cleaned once or twice a week, depending on the amount of debris present.

Brushing and Vacuuming-Most vacuuming is done using the pump and filter system. Dirt and other small particles can be brushed toward the main drain which will take it to the filter or vacuuming can be done with a vacuum head attached to an extension pole with a hose running to the skimmer, which also takes the debris to the filter. Automatic sweepers and vacuums have become very popular and make the job of cleaning much easier on the homeowner.

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