HOT PROPERTY
This advertising supplement is produced by the L.A. Times B2B Publishing team. This did not involve the editorial staff of the L.A. Times.
A CLEAN POOL FOR
SUMMER FUN
Having
a home with a pool is a joy in Southern California – after all, there are only a few places in the country where you can maximize enjoyment from your man-made pond without ever worrying about overwinter care or draining. But for safety and longevity, it’s important to keep a pool properly maintained.
Luckily, pool care is more about scheduled maintenance than skill or hardship. And while many employ dedicated service providers for convenience and time savings, there’s no reason homeowners can’t take charge of their own pool.
Keeping the water clean and hygienic for use is the most important part of ownership. Doing so is achieved with chemical additives, regardless of whether your pool is standard or salt-water based. Standard pool formulations use added chlorine to sanitize water, killing any microbes like bacteria or fungi, while saltwater pools use special systems to create chlorine from
the added salt.
Either way, you’ll be adding something to the water at regular intervals to maintain cleanliness. This is where some simple chemistry comes in handy: Knowing how much sanitizing agent is in your pool is important, as well as knowing the PH balance – pools are best kept at a neutral PH level to prevent corrosion or buildup, just like a home water supply. Special chemicals and tests need to be applied regularly to maintain these levels, as factors such as frequency of use, rain, dust, or even sunlight can change water chemistry.
Filtration and cleaning are equally important.
Pools should be cleaned of debris weekly, and filters should be checked for cleanliness and functionality – replace any with rips, as any dirt that gets past a filter can damage important pool components. The old fashioned way to remove dirt is with the iconic net on a pole, but for the modern pool owner, an installed pool vac does the job for you while also scrubbing the sides and bottom of the pool.
Keeping on schedule is simple – setting smartphone reminders can keep you on top of pool care. Or go high-tech: App-based pool water monitors can take the guesswork out of care, sending alerts when chemistry needs adjustment, filters need cleaning, or even when water levels get low.
Of course, given Southern California’s abundance of pools and pool culture, there are many highly qualified pool maintenance companies and individuals more than happy to maintain your “cement pond” for you.
Contact us with comments or questions at b2bpublishing@latimes.com
Regular pool care is a part of owning the home feature.
Photo by AdobeStock
