A garden pool is a place of relaxation for the whole family. Adults can relax in it after a hard day at work, and children can enjoy the charms of a hot summer. To ensure the hygiene, comfort, and safety of all users of the backyard swimming pool, it is worth learning a few rules for its maintenance. We encourage you to read the next entry on the ondaFlo blog, where you will learn how to take care of the cleanliness of your garden pool.
First: water filtration
Filtering the water in a garden pool is essential to keep it clean. Choosing the right filtration set (pump + filter cartridge) ensures not only comfort but, above all, sanitary safety for all pool users.
Regular filtration:
- removes mechanical impurities – filters retain pollen, leaves, grass, insects, as well as cosmetic residues and skin cells that fall into the water during use;
- limits the growth of algae and bacteria – stagnant water heated by the sun is an environment conducive to the proliferation of microorganisms; water movement generated by the pump reduces the risk of the bathing area turning green;
- maintains clear water – regular filtration prevents water from becoming cloudy, keeping it crystal clear;
- improves the effectiveness of pool chemicals – filtered water is easier to treat, making chemical agents (such as chlorine) work more effectively;
- ensures hygiene and safety – filtration removes impurities that can be a source of bacteria and fungi, ensuring safe conditions for all pool users.
How often should you filter the water in a backyard pool? It all depends on how intensely the bathing area is used. It is best to do it at least 1-2 times a day until the water is clear.
Second: pool chemicals
A filter pump and pool chemicals are two complementary systems for water purification: physical (pump) and chemical (chemicals). Chemicals alone will not remove all mechanical impurities without filtration, and the pump alone will not kill bacteria and algae.
Under the name “pool chemicals” hides a wide range of chlorine-based preparations. In this product category, you will also find algaecides (so-called anti-algae), clarifying coagulants (so-called flocculants), and preparations regulating the pH of pool water.
Chlorine is the best and most popular pool disinfectant due to its high effectiveness, long-lasting action, and cost-efficiency. This element exhibits strong biocidal properties – it effectively destroys bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, ensuring epidemiological safety for all pool users. Moreover, chlorine is one of the cheapest disinfectants, available in various forms (tablets, granules, liquid), which facilitates its use in both large and smaller bathing areas.
The optimal amount of chlorine in a garden pool is 0.3-0.6 mg/l for water with a pH of 7.0-7.4. The preparation should be dosed regularly, preferably in the evening after daily pool use has ended. Before use, be sure to check the dosage recommendations and usage instructions.
It is worth supplementing your home pool chemical kit with pH-regulating preparations. Maintaining pH at the appropriate level is crucial, as too high or too low a pH weakens the effect of chlorine and can cause irritation.
The correct pH level is between 7.0 and 7.4. If the pH is too high, use a pH Minus preparation. If the pH is too low, use a pH Plus agent. Dose the agents gradually, according to the instructions. After each adjustment, recheck the water parameters.
Water in a backyard pool is susceptible to algae. Green impurities not only cause discomfort but can also be harmful to health. Contact with them often causes irritation and even skin allergies in sensitive individuals. Special algaecides prevent the formation of algae and improve water clarity. Anti-algae liquid should be used preventively, according to the instructions.
For effective and safe chemical dosing, you should equip yourself with water care accessories such as a chlorine dispenser and a water testing kit. Testing pool water before adding chemicals is crucial for effective and economical water care and the safety of pool users. The pH of the water changes dynamically (due to temperature, rain, or intensive use, among other factors), and incorrect parameters can neutralize the effect of the chemicals.
How to use pool chemicals?
After filling the pool with water:
- Check the pool water parameters using a tester.
- Adjust the water pH. The correct pH level is between 7.0 and 7.4.
- Disinfect the water. After stabilizing the pH level, apply chlorine tablets. Apply the agent according to the instructions – preferably using a dispenser.
- Protect the pool from sediment and limescale. The optimal water hardness in a garden pool is approximately 8-14 dH. For hard water, it is recommended to use Calcinex. Apply the agent according to the instructions.
- Protect the pool from algae with an anti-algae preparation.
- Regularly monitor water parameters – preferably every 2-3 days or more often (in case of intensive pool use and high temperatures).
Remember! Do not use pool chemicals while using the bathing area.
Third: pool cleaning and maintenance
Cleaning and maintaining a garden pool should be done regularly to ensure hygiene and safety for bathing. For inflatable pools, the bottom and walls should be cleaned at least once a week. Choosing the right accessories will not only ensure easy cleaning but also limit the accumulation of impurities in the future.
The walls and bottom of an inflatable PVC garden pool are best cleaned with a brush with rubber bristles. In the ondaFlo online store, you will find a brush from Bayrol with a specially curved tip, which allows for thorough cleaning of even hard-to-reach places. For greater convenience, it is worth buying a telescopic pole. The home set of accessories can be supplemented with a net for collecting small impurities from the water surface.
It is also a good idea to purchase a pool cover, which protects the bathing area from various external factors when the pool is not in use.
Extremely important is pool maintenance after the season. By choosing an inflatable garden pool from ondaFlo, your list of duties in this regard is minimal. Remember, however, to thoroughly wash the pool, dry it, and only then deflate it and store it anywhere. Thanks to this, when the next hot days come, your pool will be clean and ready to use in a few minutes.