You’re the proud owner of a brand new pool. Now what? The first thing to do is make sure you have all the swimming pool products you need to keep your pool clean and safe.
While it might seem a little overwhelming at first, all these products are easy to use. They also make it easier to enjoy your pool all year long.
All it takes is a little regular maintenance for a pool you can jump into to cool off after a long hot day.
1. Skimmer Net
This simple net on a long pole is every pool owner’s best friend. A skimmer is one of the most important swimming pool products. You’ll use it nearly every time you use your pool. Safely reach out to scoop out debris that’s floating in the water.
Ideally, invest in a multi-purpose pool pole that has different attachments, such as the next item on our list.
2. Scrubber Brush
A two-in-one pole allows you to switch between the skimmer and the scrubber brush. Or, you can easily just have two different poles. The brush allows you to clean the sides of your pool before bacteria is able to turn into dangerous algae. This also helps you pool walls last longer.
As an important side note, if you have a granite or concrete pool, a steel-bristled algae brush works great. For vinyl pools, buy a nylon brush instead to avoid damaging the liner.
3. Testing Kit
There are several different testing kits to test your pool chemistry. Testing strips are the most common, but other options are available, including a digital version.
This is one of the most important swimming pool products. Your water chemistry can change quickly, especially after heavy use or bad weather. If the numbers aren’t safe, it can be dangerous for you to swim. A quick test lets you know if the water is safe or if you need to add more chemicals to balance it.
4. Pool Vacuum
You can choose between manual and robotic vacuums. These are incredible using swimming pool products as they suck up all that debris that drifts into the bottom of your pool. They also suck up what you remove when you scrub the sides of your pool.
Most pool owners opt for a manual vacuum because it’s cheaper, more effective and not that difficult to use. If you have a telescoping multi-purpose pole, you may be able to use that with your manual vacuum head. You’ll also need a hose and vacuum plate (this may come with your vacuum head.
5. Pool Chemicals
Pool chemicals are some of the more confusing swimming pool products, but necessary to keep your pool water safe and clean. You likely already know that chlorine is used to help sanitize the water, but did you know you need to shock the water from time to time to kill what chlorine doesn’t?
Pool chemicals are divided into the following categories:
- Balancers
- Sanitizers
- Algaecides
- Shocks
- Supportive chemicals
You won’t need to use every type of chemical all the time. It’s also important to read the directions on any chemical you use and test the water after the chemicals have had time to spread through the water to ensure the water is safe to use. Know Your Pool has a great description of each type of chemical as the various types of chemicals for each type.
6. Filter Cleaner
As the name implies, this product helps clean your filter. Residue builds up on it over time, making it less effective. As a result, you might notice cloudy water. Cleaning your filter regularly, which will depend on how often you use your pool, helps keep your pool water filtered and cleaner.
7. Pool Cover
A pool cover is a must-have anytime you’re not using your pool. It actually serves two purposes. First, it helps keep your pool cleaner by preventing debris and rain water from getting in.
Second, it’s a safety precaution. If someone was walking by and fell, they wouldn’t fall into the water. This is especially true for young kids that may not know how to swim.
Bonus: Pool Safety
In addition to the swimming pool products above, ensure you have pool safety barriers in place. This helps you enjoy your pool without worrying about someone sneaking in and getting hurt. Fencing, a locked gate and even an alarm system are all great ways to protect your pool.
If you don’t want to have to worry about how to use all these swimming pool products, Koko Head Pool Service can help with all the regular maintenance, though we still highly recommend having a skimmer for quick cleanups.