Cleaning the bottom of a swimming pool is essential for ensuring that there is no floating debris while you are swimming around. It also helps to keep your water clear daily, reducing algae growth and clogged filters.
If your pool looks a little off-colour or you can see particles floating about, you shouldn't put off cleaning the bottom of your pool for another day.
The article below will discuss how to clean your pool and whether you should tackle this task independently or recruit professionals for help.
How to Clean the Bottom of a Pool
If you are ambitious and looking to save money by cleaning the bottom of your swimming pool yourself, follow this guide to help you get it done correctly.
Step One: Brush the Walls of the Pool
Since you are cleaning the bottom of the pool already, you might as well start by clearing off the sides. This will help keep the pool water crystal clear in the future, limiting the amount of debris that can potentially contaminate the pool.
You brush the walls of the pool with a special pool brush. This brush is equipped with a long rod, making it easy to reach around the pool and from the top all the way to the bottom.
Step Two: Grab a Skimmer
If you own a pool, you better have a durable hand skimmer ready to go during the summer months. This is the best method for removing large debris, like leaves, from the pool floor.
Using a skimmer net daily is one of the best ways to keep the bottom of your pool clean and free from large dirt and debris.
Step Three: Run the Vacuum on the Floor of Your Pool
Another tool you should have as a pool owner is a vacuum. You can get a simple vacuum that connects to your hose or something more elaborate that connects to your pool pump and will continuously remove debris and sediment from the floor of your pool.
To use a vacuum for pool cleaning, connect it to the filter, set your pump's multi-port to "waste," and turn it on. As the vacuum moves across the bottom of the pool, it will remove the waste and debris through suction.
Step Four: Learn all About Pool Chemicals
Keeping the chemicals in your pool balanced will help ensure the bottom of your pool doesn't get dirty in the first place. For starters, you should check the pH levels of your pool often.
Too much or too little can significantly affect whether algae and bacteria form in your pool and on the pool floor.
Chlorine is a crucial chemical to keep in your tool kit when cleaning your pool. Chlorine is the go-to product to kill whatever happens to land in your pool that doesn't belong. You never want your chlorine levels to drop, so check the levels consistently.
Lastly, you should always have some algaecide on hand. Algae is the leading cause of slippery, slimy, green pool floors. Algaecide kills Algae and stops it from multiplying.
If your swimming pool uses a filter cartridge, make sure to change it out often. You can visually inspect them to see if there is build-up, which will impede your attempts to clear the water.
Step Five: Stay Vigilant and Set Rules
The best way to clean the bottom of your pool is by staying on top of what goes into it. Make sure everyone cleans their feet before jumping in and put the cover on whenever possible.
Avoid eating food or bringing products into the pool that do not belong there. Issues will arise when leaves blow off trees and land in the water or when grass clippings fly from the lawn mower and land in the pool.
DIY Cleaning vs Professional Cleaning
Many people worry that they won't have the ability to clean out their pools as well as the professionals. This simply isn't true. Just because you might not have the amount of experience or the industrial tools, you can still keep your pool crystal clean all on your own.
The best way to get your pool as shiny and clean as the pros do is by doing your homework, understanding what type of pool filter system you have, how to maintain it, and taking the time to tend to your pool frequently.
Maintenance is key when it comes to ensuring the bottom of your pool is debris free. To do this, follow these steps:
- Purchase the proper chemicals and know how much and when to use them
- Use a hand skimmer daily to remove all large debris and sediment from the top of the water to prevent it from going under
- Use your pool's vacuum whenever necessary to keep dirt and debris from building up
- Set up a bucket of water to step in before jumping in the pool with dirty feet
- Change out the filter as needed
Why spend a ton of money on professional cleaning when you can purchase top-of-the-line products locally or by ordering them from a reputable company online today?
FAQs
Can you clean the bottom of your pool by yourself?
Yes, cleaning your pool yourself is a great way to save money. You can get the same great clean as professionals with the proper chemicals, tools, and knowledge.
What is the best way to clean the bottom of your pool?
The best way to clean the bottom of your pool if there is dirt and debris is by using a pool vacuum and a hand strainer.