As the sight of a pool on a hot day of summer quenches your spirit, the thought of maintaining one may dampen it. If you are a newbie in pool ownership and maintenance and cleaning the pool makes you super anxious, fret no more! Walk through this list of five key pool care steps and enjoy your dip to the fullest.

Before you delve into the maintenance process, make sure you buy a pool cover.

Since above ground pools come in all shapes and forms it is important to understand the kind of care your pool needs. Commonly what helps any pool stay clear for long hours, is a five step process. This includes circulation, filtration, cleaning,testing and chemical care.

We all know moving water is cleaner than the one that stands still, well that’s the whole idea! Circulation helps spread or circulate water through a pump all across the pool. Circulating water allows motion that prevents algae and bacteria from settling in and growing. Make sure you circulate water regularly and make your pool pump run at least 12 hours each day.

The next step works very closely with the first. In a way circulation and filtration are interdependent. The pump enables the filter to clear all visible and microscopic debris from the pool. You must also wash the filter weekly and treat it with chemical seasonally. Filter is an integral part of the pool equipment and it makes maintenance super easy.

The next very critical and indispensable step is – cleaning. Yes, both filtration and circulation do help clean the pool, however, isolated and remote corners may still need some brushing off once a week. To keep the entire pool clean, you must also brush the floor to get rid of algae.

Step four is Testing. Every pool should be tested with a test kit for sanitizers, free chlorine, Ph and alkalinity. Make sure these levels are measured, monitored and tested at least once a week. You can refer to the recommended level of these elements online and adjust it according to the pool you own.

The last crucial step in the maintenance program is chemical care. This step is to be followed in the very end after all the cleaning is over. Application of chemicals to the pool water not only makes it crystal clear visually, it also makes swimming safe and hygienic. Chemicals also prevent damages to the floor surface.

Clean and hygienic water not only makes swimming a delight, it also adds life to your swimming pool. Regular and periodic maintenance helps increase pool life and prolongs the joy that swimming brings with it.