Let’s figure out what to avoid so as not to spoil your holiday by the pool.
1. Change the water and do not disinfect
Many owners of outdoor pools, especially inflatable ones, neglect mechanical cleaning and disinfection. It seems that simply changing the water regularly is enough. Everything is more complicated: bacteria and other microorganisms get into the pool, which quickly multiply under the sun. They are not visible to the naked eye, and the water may even remain clear, but all swimmers will be risking their health. Such water can cause poisoning or, for example, an eye or ear infection.
How to do better
Use multiple cleaning methods.
- Filtration. For large stationary pools, the filter can be sand, cartridge, or diatomaceous earth. For a small inflatable pool, a net is suitable for daily catching of leaves and other debris.
- Mechanical cleaning. The pool needs to be emptied periodically and the walls and bottom cleaned. Bacteria and microbes settle on them. For a large pool, you can buy a robot cleaner so as not to have to do manual cleaning.
- Disinfection. You cannot do without special products that disinfect water.
2. Use chlorine
Chlorine, of course, disinfects and kills algae, germs and bacteria. But at the same time, it has a strong smell and often causes an allergic reaction in people. And the water drained from such a pool harms the environment.
How to do better
Bromine-based disinfectants can be used. They cost more than those that contain chlorine, but they smell less and are not as harmful to the skin. Oxygen-based drugs are the safest. Some products combine bromine and organic acids. But they are usually used in advanced cases. Ultraviolet lamps and ozonizers will also help purify water.
3. Add chemicals by eye
Many people make the mistake of adding too many cleaning products to the water to ensure it is disinfected. Or, conversely, too little. In the first case, water can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. And in the second, bacteria will continue to multiply.
How to do better
Carefully read the instructions for the drug and calculate its amount based on the volume of the pool. For a large pool, it is worth purchasing a dispenser. This could be a float with chemical tablets that gradually dissolve in water. Or a complex electronic system that itself will measure the degree of pollution and introduce chemicals into the water.
4. Ignore pH
Pool water has its acidity. Increased or decreased levels of acidity negatively affect human health.
How to do better
It is worth purchasing instant tests to measure acidity. The norm is 7-7.4 pH. If there is a deviation, add special drugs to increase or decrease acidity.
5. Avoid winter storage
Not all pool owners are attentive to conservation: they empty the reservoir and leave it open, which leads to rapid failure of all parts.
How to do better
Preservation begins as soon as the temperature drops to 10-12 °C. Drain the water, clean the walls and floor. The equipment is washed, and all removable parts are removed, cleaned, and taken into the house. The last step is to cover the pool with a protective cover.
6. Place a frame pool next to a tree
It seems logical to place a frame or inflatable pool under the canopy of a tree. In the shade, it will not heat up too much, the water will remain cool, and bacteria will multiply in it more slowly. But in this case, there will be a problem with the leaves. The pool will have to be constantly cleaned of leaves, branches, and fallen insects.
How to do better
It is best to place the pool whereas little debris as possible will reach the water. A place next to a house or fence is suitable – they also provide shade. You can also purchase an outdoor parasol: choose a model that can be tilted to adjust the shade.
