One of the biggest benefits of concrete pools as opposed to pools made from other materials such as fibre glass, is their longevity. Pool builders advise that the lifespan of a concrete pool can be decades, however, that will only be the case if the pool is maintained properly. This is something which you can do for yourself, although there are companies you can hire to do the maintenance for you.

Regardless of whether you pay someone to do it for you, or you do it yourself, you certainly need to know what maintenance is required to keep a concrete pool in good condition so here are some of the main ways it should be done.

Skim The Surface

Inevitably the surface of your pool is going to have leaves, dead insects and other debris floating on top of the water. These can all cause algae to start growing if they are not removed therefore you should use a long-handled skimmer or net to remove anything that is floating on the surface of the pool as often as you can.

Brush The Floor And Walls

As well as the aforementioned algae, bacteria is also something which you do not want to linger in your concrete pool. The prime areas for algae and bacteria are the walls and the floor of the pool therefore these should be brushed at least once a week. Ideally use a brush with hard bristles, and if necessary attach a longer pole so you can reach the floor.

Vacuum Your Pool

In addition to weekly brushing, you can use a vacuum which can remove items of debris that have sunk to the floor such as leaves. Many home vacuums that are used for wet vacuuming can do the job. Alternatively there are special vacuums designed specifically for vacuuming pools.

Balance The Water

Chemicals in swimming pool water can impact the concrete and reduce its life so you need to ensure that the balance of chemicals in the water is optimum. Using a water testing kit check the pH level regularly to ensure it remains between 7.2 and 7.6.

Inspect For Cracks Regularly

Concrete can crack for all kinds of reasons such as soil erosion underneath, so another part of your maintenance should be to check regularly for cracks on the walls and floor of your pool. Apart from the danger of someone cutting themselves if they stand on or rub against a crack, it is also a sign that some repair work is necessary.

Inspect And Clean The Filter

Concrete pools may require heavier filtration than others due to the risks with regards to acid and alkaline levels. For this reason, a top-quality filter should be used, and it should be cleaned and checked for damage on a regular basis.

Acid washing

If, despite all your best efforts, the walls and floor of your pool still seem to be dirty, or you have an infestation of algae, then it may be time to have your pool acid washed. Normally this is a job for a professional pool cleaning company, and it is not something you should have done too often as it causes the layers of the walls and floor to thin.

Resurfacing

Around every 7 to 10 years your pool’s walls and floor will need resurfacing albeit in warmer climates the frequency may be less. Resurfacing will fix many issues such as low pH levels and algae growth. Normally, resurfacing needs to be undertaken by a professional pool maintenance company.