POOL MAINTENANCE AND CARE
So if you read the previous post, now is the time to head out and get a great above ground pool. This has seriously been the best money I have ever spent as the kids LOVE the pool and are in it just about everyday during the hot months. This actually saves us money in the long run because the kids aren’t going to the public pool as often and don’t beg to go to an expensive water park or play area. Instead all they need is a bunch of good ol’ fun in their own yard with a few friends, some lemonade and cucumber sandwiches and they are set for the day.
What wasn’t great and was more than unexpected was the fact that the pool needed care. I figured if you fill it up with water and just let your kids enjoy it, that would be enough, but I was very wrong. The first thing I discovered was…
DEBRIS
Yep, it was really hard keeping stuff from floating in (or shh….dying in) the pool. In fact it was pretty much an every minute sort of problem. Bugs would get in there, leaves would get in there, bigger bugs…you get my point.
I discovered that I needed a POOL SKIMMER and a VACUUM, which I found online at Walmart.
I found this simple version for $20.00 Sunshine pool maintenance kit which includes a small skimmer and vacuum, that are great for above ground pools 10 to 12 feet in diameter, but for larger pools, you may want something like The Heritage Pool Maintenance Kit which is meant for pools 48 to 52 inches deep.
Also you need a POOL COVER, a large tarp will work, or if you wanna get really fancy you can buy a solar pool cover that will warm your pool, while keeping it protected from debris, when you are not using it.
So with the basic vacuum and skimmer for debris removal, I really thought I had conquered the pool nasties and my kids were once again enjoying themselves until a few weeks went by and I found Algae growing in the pool. At first I just brushed it away with a broom, but as the days went by, my pool turned totally green.
I have to say that it was absolutely disgusting and I was really kicking myself for thinking that I could expect that my $149 dollar pool to be a worthwhile investment over the years. I had to tell the kids that they could no longer swim in their pool for fear of becoming toxic green avengers. Then, I had to deal with a lot of long faces, so I went to the internet and discovered my problem. I had not chemically treated my pool…at all. Now, I feared all the microbiol ickies my kids were being subjected to and rushed out to find the chemicals I was missing.
First I had to SHOCK THE POOL. Which is a blast of chlorine that kills the algae and cleans the pool. Specialty Pool Products has a great selection of starter kits and water testing kits at reasonable prices and since most stores don’t carry these chemicals it is sometimes easier to buy them online.
Much to my joyous surprise “shocking” the pool will clear up the algae and make the water swim-able again, which made my kids very happy.
After (or hopefully before) you do an algae treatment, make sure to test the water and maintain the chemical balance by using balancing chemicals. You really don’t need to go crazy with chemicals in an above ground pool, but you do need to use them otherwise you are waiting for an unsanitary, gross disaster.
POOL FUN
Add a few items from The Pool Store is a one stop online shop for everything your above ground pool will need for family fun in the sun. I love the fun children’s inflatables their site offers.
