Three Maintenance Tips For Concrete Pools
It does not matter what time of year it is, the installation of a swimming pool is going to provide year-round enjoyment for you and your family. Having decided to install a concrete pool, it is important you know the correct maintenance tips from the day it is installed. Concrete pools have their own set of rules when it comes to maintenance, and if you get these wrong, you could damage the pool. These three tips specific to concrete pools ensure your pool looks magnificent for many years to come.
Concrete Is Porous
Unlike vinyl or fibreglass pools, concrete is made from natural materials, and once it sets, concrete has a surface similar to a rock. Within the concrete, there are tiny holes that allow air to pass through, but these holes are also a trapping space for bacteria. If the bacteria are allowed to build up on the sides of your concrete pool, it will stain the pool and taint the water quickly. Therefore, to protect the concrete from bacteria, you must regularly:
- Treat the water with chemicals to eradicate the bacteria
- Scrub the concrete walls and floor to remove any bacteria which is attempting to grow
The scrubbing action is only required if the bacteria takes hold, so speak to your pool supplier about the correct chemical processing of the water to keep bacteria at bay.
Concrete Erosion
If you do find bacteria buildup on the surface of the concrete, do not be tempted to take the quick repair route of using very strong chemicals to kill the bacteria off. Some chemicals are too strong for use in a concrete pool, and using these will cause the concrete to fail and erode which significantly reduces the lifespan of your pool. If you do not wish to manually scrub the bacteria away, speak to your pool supplier about which chemicals can be used in your pool and heed their advice.
Concrete Cracks
Finally, as part of your maintenance routine, it is important you carefully check your pool for small cracks. If the soil around your pool subsides or erodes, then there is less pressure supporting the pool shell. Small cracks in the concrete are easily fixed by the pool supplier but left unattended small cracks will become big cracks, which are a much bigger issue to repair.
Your concrete pool will supply endless enjoyment for your family, and using these three maintenance tips, you can be sure it will look picture perfect for many years after installation.