The Best Pool Cleaners To Save Money

Pool owners are well aware of the benefit of keeping the pool clean. They also reckon that it comes at a high cost, and is important to find the right tools and items to get the job done and save money on pool cleaners.

Costs aside, pool cleaning can be overwhelming, and most pool owners prefer to hire pool cleaning services from professionals. With essentials items and tools for pool cleaning, it becomes easier for pool owners to enjoy a clean pool all year through.

Wondering what pool cleaners to use at home without hiring professional services? Read on to discover these household items and tools.

Pool Cleaning Equipment And Items

Here are the household items and equipment that you will need for your pool cleaning exercise:

1. Telescoping Pole

For successful cleaning sessions of your swimming pool, a telescopic pole is a no brainer. These come in handy in vacuuming, skimming, and brushing. They come in different lengths, but the longer the better. Ensure that you get a telescopic pole with two small holes at one end to allow for the attachment of cleaning accessories for easy cleaning time.

2. Vacuum Heads

Good vacuuming is the easiest way to having a clean pool. After all, it is recommended that all pools be vacuumed regularly. By attaching the vacuum head to the pole and connecting a vacuum hose to the vacuum head, all that is left to do is immerse the connection into the pool for a seamless cleaning process.

3. Leaf Bagger

It is not uncommon for pool owners to struggle with the accumulation of leaves on the surface of the pool. This is especially frequent for owners who stay in leafy surroundings. With a leaf bagger, however, pool cleaning seizes to be a goliath task.

With a little water pressure from the garden hose, leaves and other debris are pulled from the pool surface into the bag. Regular sessions of this procedure guarantee a clean pool all year through.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda is well known for baking, cooking, and eliminating odors from the refrigerator. It also comes in handy in the cleaning of pools, especially in increasing the pool water’s alkalinity level due to its chemical composition (Sodium hydrogen carbonate).

Baking soda is also essential in the elimination of the yellow and black algae that are common in swimming pools. For above ground pools, baking soda is important for cleaning since it is gentle on the vinyl walls of the pool.

5. Bleach

Having a bottle of bleach as part of your cleaning arsenal perfectly answers the question of what to use to clean pools. The basic component of most of the bleaches in pool supply stores is sodium hypochlorite, which is exactly what is contained in household bleach. Apart from cleaning the surfaces of the pool, adding about half a gallon of local bleach also helps raise the level of chlorine in the pool water.

Pool cleaning doesn’t have to be a daunting task for homeowners who own swimming pools. Having the right equipment and household items such as telescopic poles and bleaches not only helps get your pool clean but also save on the cleaning costs.

Pool Pump Basics

A pool type pump is basically the heart of any swimming pool’s circulation system. It takes water from the swimming pool via the main drain and skimmer and then pushes that water through a pool filter before returning it back into the main area.

A pump has 3 major components. The components are a lint and hair trap, an impeller, and the motor.

Pump Motor

Pump motors for pools are electric and vary in size and voltage. The motor will either be 110 or 220 V.

Most pool motors are air cooled which means that they are not completely sealed from environmental damage. It is therefore important to prevent excessive water from coming into contact with the motor via the cooling vents which are typically located beneath the housing.

Pump Impeller

An impeller will be connected at the end of the shaft of a pool motor. As it rotates, it takes water in through the lint and hair trap which is located at the end of the pump. It then pushes this water through the top portion of the pump into a pipe that leads into a filter.

The impeller is very susceptible to clogging. You can tell when the impeller is damaged or clogged by reading the pressure level on the gauge that is located at the top of the filter. If damage or clogging is suspected, you must inspect the impeller visually.

Pump Hair & Lint Trap

A unique lint and hair trap is usually located at the end of the pool pump. This trap prevents harmful debris from entering into the impeller assembly.

There is a basket inside of the lint and hair trap. This basket needs to be emptied twice a week.

A clogged basket will restrict the pumping of water and instead will cause the pumping of air. This is called “loss of prime”. If the situation was allowed to continue the motor would speed up and eventually burn out.

Pump Operation

The pump dictates the entire operation of a swimming pool. The cleaning of your swimming pool will not operate properly without a proper pump.

Also, the water in the swimming pool will not be filtered properly without the pump operating. It is therefore essential to understand the importance of proper scheduling for pump operation.

There are two key factors when determining the time of day for pump operation. These are energy cost and chemical demand.

Ultraviolet rays from the sun are responsible for removing chlorine from the water. Therefore, the higher chlorine demand would be during daylight hours.

When adding chlorine, the pump needs to be running. It is, therefore, a better option to run a pool pump in the day as opposed to the night.

Another consideration is how long to run the pump? The two main factors that will help you make the right decision are filtration and chemical demand.

Normally, a pump for a swimming pool should be on for at least 4 – 6 hours each day during the winter months and 12 hours each day during the hottest summer months.

The Benefits Of A Pool Heater

What are the benefits of having a pool heater and what types are there? How should you go about purchasing a heater for your pool? Before you rush out to buy a heater, make sure you read the rest of this article.

The Benefits

There are several benefits of installing a heater for your pool, with the main one being you can use your pool all-year round. Whether you have an indoor pool, above ground or in-ground pool, a heater will allow you to enjoy it whenever you want. Whether it’s cold out, middle of winter or mid-Fall, simply turn your heater on and get on in.

Let’s not forget to mention that swimming in a warm pool is more comfortable than swimming in a cold one. This is even during the summer months. A lot of people just want to get in their pool and relax and they find they can’t do that if the water is too cold. A heater can heat up the water to the ideal temperatures.

Protection is another benefit of using a heater. Even if you don’t plan on using your pool all-year, you’ll still want to do what you can to protect it and installing a heater will do just that. In the wintertime, you won’t have to worry about your pool succumbing to damage due to extremely cold temperatures.

Another benefit is a heater might add value to your home. It might not be a lot, but it will be something. If you want to improve the value of your home, even by a little, then consider installing a high quality heater for your pool.

Types Of Pool Heaters

Generally speaking, there are many makes and models of heaters, but they typically fall under one of three categories. There are electric ones, solar haters and gas powered heaters. Each one has their own set of unique pros and cons.

Solar heaters run on solar power, which is good for those who want to conserve energy. Gas heaters can be cheap to operate when gas prices are relatively low, while electric runs uses the home’s electricity. Remember, there are dozens and dozens and dozens of heaters out there, but they will usually fall in one of those categories.

Tips For Choosing A Heater

First, consider the price of the heater, as they range from inexpensive prices to very expensive. Compare a few and learn if any have extra special features and don’t forget to read a few reviews. Also, make sure the place you’re about to buy from is reputable and know what they are talking about. It’s also a good idea to find a professional to install your heater.

Those are a few benefits that a pool heater offers. As you can see, there are quite a few different types to choose from, and you’ll want to compare as many as possible. After you’ve done that, you can decide which one you should buy. All you have to do now is keep the previously discussed tips in mind and start shopping around for a heater.

A Closer Look at The Three Types of Pool Filters

Swimming pool filters are systems that are installed as part of your pool to help clean and keep your water free from debris such as dirt, twigs and leaves as well as contaminants. Most people utilize water treatments like chlorine in conjunction with a filter, but it’s possible to operate yours with just a filter, depending on how safe the water is in your region.

Apart from removing debris, filters ideally keep the water flowing, thus reducing the risk of parasites and insects from breeding in the pool. They also prevent algae from growing on your water.

There are three common types of filters out there which we shall discuss in this read.

Cartridge Filter

This is a big tank which features a cartridge filter inside that traps particles that are as small as 10 microns. These filters don’t need backwashing are simple to remove. When it comes to cleaning, you can remove the cartridge and then spray it with water using a hose. Keep in mind that these filters need to be replaced after several years, depending on the brand plus use.

The Pros

  • They do not require backwashing
  • They can filter particles that are quite small
  • They function well as low speeds, making them ideal for energy efficient and variable speed pumps.
  • They help conserve water due to the ability to work with variable-speed pumps and don’t require backwashing

The Cons

  • Require replacement every few years
  • The cartridges need to be deep cleaned at least once per year

Sand Filter

As the name suggests a sand filter is a big tank filled with sand. Water is pumped through it, thus filtering the debris and particles (as small as 20 microns). As time passes, particles trapped in the sand start to build up, leading to an increase in pressure, and this calls for backwashing.

This process works by pushing water through the filter backwards. Sand lasts for 6 to 7 years and the only needed maintenance is backwashing plus rinsing. However, it is imperative to match the filter with a swimming pool pump of the same flow rate.

The Pros

  • Easy to maintain
  • Excellent for big pools
  • It’s possible to utilize better sands for better filtering
  • Inexpensive

The Cons

  • Needs backwashing and rinsing which results in water wastage
  • Filters down to 20 microns, which is meager compared to other pool filters
  • Less energy efficient because of the high pressure required to push water through sand

DE (Diatomaceous Earth) Filter

This is a big tank with grids inside that are coated with diatomaceous earth powder. DE is a soft, naturally occurring rock that easily crumbles into powder. It’s essentially fossilized remains of algae with hard shells. These types of filters act like a sand filter but can filter out smaller particles with a size as small as 3 microns.

However, diatomaceous earth filters need backwashing because the pressure inside the tank tends to increase as it fills up with trapped particles. Backwashing needs to be done once per month and fresh DE powder has to be added after the process. Also, the grids in the tank need to be cleaned at least once per year.

The Pros

  • Fresh DE powder is easy to add
  • It’s the most precise, filtering 3 to 5 microns

The Cons

  • The DE powder is carcinogenic and actually, some cities restrict the use of these filters
  • It is quite expensive with high maintenance costs
  • The monthly backwashing can be daunting and leads to water wastage.
  • The grids need to be cleaned at least once per year

The Benefits Of A Salt Cell For Your Pool

You love your swimming pool and the chances are you use chlorine to keep it clean. If you’re looking for a better alternative, then consider using pool salt cell. There are many benefits of doing so, and some of the top ones will be discussed below.

Free Of Harsh Chemicals

As previously mentioned, salt cell does contain a little bit of chlorine, but the levels are not that high. Pool salt eliminates the need of having to add other types of chemicals to your pool, including harsh chemicals that are potentially harmful to humans. Besides that, pool salt tends to be more environmentally friendly than other kinds of chemicals.

Chlorine and other chemicals have a foul odor. Pool salt doesn’t, and it isn’t bad for the skin. If you don’t want to ruin your skin, cause it to go dry or smell, then start using pool salt instead of chlorine.

Low Maintenance

Another good thing about salt for pools is there is not a lot of maintenance involved. When you add it to the pool, there is not much left to do. Simply add it to the pool, which is quick and easy to do, and then let it do its work. You will still need to perform some maintenance, but you won’t have to do a whole lot.

Maintaining a pool with other chemicals can be a time consuming task. If you’re a busy person, then you’ll want to perform the least amount of maintenance. This is exactly why using salt for pools is much better than using chemicals.

Health Benefits

Pool salt is a healthy option for people to use because it is not that hard on the eyes. It’s also softer for the skin and hair. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, then you’ll want to consider using pool salt instead of chlorine.

As previously mentioned, harsh chemicals that people use to clean their pools can cause skin problems. That’s not all though. Generally speaking, chlorine and many other commercial pool cleaning products are not that healthy for you.

Do bear in mind that there are many types of pool salts you can use. Generally speaking, they are all healthier than other chemicals. Just make sure you compare a few brands before choosing one.

It’s Cheap

Spending money on chemicals and chlorine can be expensive in the long run. If you are looking for an affordable way to keep your pool clean, then you’ll want to use salt. Salt cells work just as good as other chemicals, if not better, so don’t worry about whether or not your pool will be properly cleaned. Just make sure you read the instructions.

As you can see, there are many benefits of using a salt for your pool. The ones discussed above are only a handful. If you want to reap all the benefits of pool salt, then buy some today. Make sure you find a reputable place to buy from and then you can make your purchase.

Affiliate Disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, for you to make the best choice.

Copyright © 2024 Outdoor Pool Care