How to keep the water crystal clear throughout the season without spending too much

The 20-minute weekly routine that actually works

To keep pool water crystal clear all summer, it's essential to set up a weekly maintenance routine that takes no more than 20 minutes. Done consistently, this routine ensures the water stays clean and safe to swim in. The key is frequency and using products in the right order.

The weekly routine should include mechanical cleaning of the pool, testing and adjusting chemical levels, and adding the necessary products. Each week, it's a good idea to spend 10 minutes on mechanical cleaning, 5 minutes testing and adjusting chemicals, and 5 minutes adding products. This split lets you handle each task carefully without overloading the process.

For mechanical cleaning, it's essential to check the walls, floor, and skimmers. Make sure the skimmers are clean and working properly, since they're the first line of defense against dirt. The pool floor should be brushed with a pool broom every week, and the walls should be cleaned with a high-pressure hose or a pool brush with soft bristles. This helps remove sand, leaves, and other debris that can cloud the water.

Besides cleaning, it's important to check the water level and make sure it's between 10 and 30 cm below the top edge of the pool. If the level is too low, water can evaporate quickly, affecting chemical concentration. If it's too high, it can cause leaks or structural damage.

Correct order for products: alkalinity → pH → chlorine → algaecide

The order in which you add chemical products is crucial to keeping the water balanced and safe. The process should start with alkalinity, followed by pH, then chlorine, and finally algaecide. This order keeps the products from neutralizing each other and ensures each one works as it should.

Alkalinity comes first because it acts as a buffer, keeping pH stable. To measure alkalinity, use an alkalinity test kit and adjust levels if needed. The ideal alkalinity range is 80 to 120 ppm. If levels are too low, add an alkalinity increaser. If they're high, use an alkalinity decreaser. A product like Pool Perfect Alkalinity costs around $10 a liter and is enough for a 15-square-meter pool.

Once alkalinity is in the right range, move on to adjusting pH. The ideal pool pH is between 7.2 and 7.6. Use a pH test kit to check the current level. If pH is too high, add muriatic acid (HCl) or phosphoric acid. If it's too low, use a product like Pool Perfect pH Up. These products typically cost between $5 and $10 a liter, depending on the brand.

After adjusting pH, it's time to add chlorine. Chlorine is essential for disinfecting the water and preventing bacteria growth. The ideal chlorine level is 1 to 3 ppm. To measure chlorine, use a chlorine test kit. If levels are low, add granulated chlorine or a liquid chlorine solution. A liter of liquid chlorine costs around $15 and is enough for a 15-square-meter pool.

The last step is using algaecide. Algaecide is used to prevent algae growth. Although chlorine also has some effect on algae, a specific algaecide is more effective. Add algaecide following the manufacturer's instructions, usually once a week. A product like Pool Perfect AlgaFix costs around $10 a liter and is enough for a 15-square-meter pool.

How and when to do a shock treatment

Shock treatment is essential for keeping pool water free of impurities and microorganisms. It's used when chlorine levels are insufficient or when impurities have built up that the weekly routine can't remove. Shock treatment should be done once a week or whenever you notice the water's clarity dropping.

To do a shock treatment, first make sure the pH is in the ideal range (7.2 to 7.6). Then add a pool shock product, which contains a high concentration of chlorine. Pool shock is usually 100 ppm or more, which lets the chlorine disperse quickly through the water. A liter of pool shock costs around $20 and is enough for a 15-square-meter pool.

After adding the shock treatment, keep the pool running for at least 24 hours. This lets the chlorine spread evenly and eliminate any contaminants. During this time, avoid swimming, since shock-level chlorine can irritate skin and eyes.

Once the shock treatment has dissolved, use a test kit to check the chlorine level. It should be between 1 and 3 ppm. If the level is too high, wait for the chlorine to dilute naturally. If it's too low, add more chlorine. This process ensures the water stays clean and safe to swim in.

Mechanical cleaning: walls, floor, and skimmers

Mechanical cleaning is a fundamental part of pool maintenance. Without regular cleaning, a buildup of dirt, leaves, and particles can cloud the water and affect water quality. Mechanical cleaning should be done at least once a week, though during high-use seasons it may need to be done more often.

To clean the pool walls, use a pool brush with soft bristles or a high-pressure hose. The pool brush is ideal for removing sand and leaf particles, while the high-pressure hose is more effective for harder-to-reach areas. Make sure the hose is connected to a clean water source and that the water flow is strong enough to remove dirt without damaging the pool surface.

The pool floor should be brushed with a pool broom every week. If sediment has built up, use a high-pressure hose to clean the floor. It's important to check the floor regularly for any damage or debris buildup that could affect water clarity.

Skimmers are the first line of defense against dirt. Make sure they're clean and working properly. If skimmers get clogged, the water won't filter properly and dirt will build up. To clean skimmers, use a pool brush or a high-pressure hose. If a skimmer is damaged, replace it with a new one to ensure the water filters correctly.

Mistakes that cloud the water and how to avoid them

There are several common mistakes that can cloud pool water. These are usually caused by lack of maintenance, a buildup of impurities, or poor chemical management. Avoiding these mistakes is essential to keeping the water crystal clear all summer.

One of the most common mistakes is skipping mechanical cleaning. If the walls, floor, and skimmers aren't cleaned regularly, dirt builds up and clouds the water. To avoid this, set up a weekly cleaning routine and make sure every part of the pool gets cleaned.

Another mistake is poor management of chemical levels. If pH or alkalinity aren't in the right range, chlorine won't work effectively and the water will cloud up. To avoid this, use a test kit to check chemical levels regularly and adjust as needed.

It's also common for pool owners to skip a shock treatment when it's needed. If chlorine levels are insufficient, a buildup of impurities can cloud the water. To avoid this, do a shock treatment once a week or whenever you notice the water's clarity dropping.

Also, neglecting skimmer maintenance can cause the water to filter improperly, leading to a buildup of dirt. To avoid this, check the skimmers regularly and make sure they're clean and working properly.

How to save on products without sacrificing water quality

Keeping pool water crystal clear doesn't have to be expensive. With a proper maintenance routine and by choosing affordable but effective products, you can save on products without sacrificing water quality. The key is efficiency and buying products that match your pool's specific needs.

To save on products, use quality products available at local stores or online. For example, granulated chlorine is an affordable, effective option for keeping water disinfected. A liter of granulated chlorine costs around $10 and is enough for a 15-square-meter pool. Liquid chlorine is also a viable option, though it can cost more than granulated chlorine.

Another way to save is to use products that match your pool's specific needs. For example, if alkalinity is high, you don't need a pH Up product, since pH will adjust on its own. Instead, use an alkalinity decreaser to bring alkalinity down. These products tend to be cheaper than general-purpose ones.

It's also important to check chemical levels regularly to avoid having to buy excess product. A chemical test kit is a good long-term investment, since it lets you measure levels accurately and adjust products as needed. A test kit costs around $20 and is enough for a 15-square-meter pool.

Finally, avoid using unnecessary products. For example, if there's no algae in the pool, there's no need to use an algaecide. Only use algaecide when you spot algae. This not only saves money but also reduces the environmental impact of the chemical products.