How to turn a cloudy pool sparkling blue

For a clean, clear and sparkling pool with water that’s safe to swim in, you’ll need to follow a regular maintenance routine.

Skim leaves and clear the water surface as needed.

For pool water that’s safe to swim in, Builders shares a list of maintenance tasks to do once a day, once a week and once a month.

Everyday

- Skim leaves and clear the water surface as needed.

- If you use chlorine granules, sprinkle them into the pool at night, around the edge of the water.

Chlorine tablets can be replaced when necessary.

If your pool is stabilised at the optimum level of 40 ppm (parts per million), add chlorine at night when no one’s swimming.

Determine the pH, total alkalinity and amount of free chlorine (depending on which test kit you’re using), and get it into the 7.2 to 7.4 pH zone by adding the appropriate amounts of acid or alkaline additive.

Once a week

- Determine the pH, total alkalinity and amount of free chlorine (depending on which test kit you’re using), and get it into the 7.2 to 7.4 pH zone by adding the appropriate amounts of acid or alkaline additive.

Use soda ash for plaster (Marbelite) and fibreglass pools.

Remember to wait two to three hours after a storm before checking the pH, as fresh rainwater can lead to inaccurate readings.

- Shock the pool at night during summer, when it is ‘resting’.

- Brush the walls and floor to prevent algae from growing on them.

- Clear the weir and pump baskets. A full basket can reduce the efficiency of your pump, so check your baskets a couple of times a week.

- Backwash and rinse your filter.

Check that your pump, filter and automatic pool cleaner are all working well.

Clear the weir and pump baskets. A full basket can reduce the efficiency of your pump, so check your baskets a couple of times a week.

Once a month

To prevent algae and keep your pool water clear, use a clarifier like Bluechem Blue Boost. To get it right, follow these steps…

1. Brush the walls, then backwash and rinse the filter.

2. Check the pH and adjust it so that it is between 7.2 and 7.4.

3. Disconnect the automatic pool cleaner from the pressure plate in the weir.

4. Switch the pump off, turn the filter valve to bypass or circulate, then switch the pump back on.

5. Add clarifier to the weir and allow the water to circulate for 10 minutes before switching the pump off and turning the valve back to filter.