Pool maintenance is very important if you want your pool to be in good condition. One of the things that help in the effective maintenance of your pool is brushing the pool or using a brush to clean. The importance of brushing your teeth is well-known. It is probably difficult even to imagine not brushing your teeth daily. In the same way, you need to brush your pool regularly to ensure it is properly cleaned and well maintained. We tell you all you wanted to know about pool brushing.
Why brush your pool?
Before going into how to brush your pool, it is necessary to understand the benefits of doing so. There are many reasons why you need to brush your pool regularly.
- Keeps the pool clean: The main reason for brushing your pool walls and the floor is to keep the pool clean. Brushing ensures any debris that is stuck to the walls or floor of the pool is dislodged. This can then be easily removed through the filtration system. Not brushing can cause debris to build up, making it all the more difficult to clean.
- Prevents algae: Algae can build up inside your pool very quickly. It can turn your pool water green. One of the best ways of preventing algae build-up is through regular brushing. This ensures any algae spores attached to the walls and floors are removed. This prevents algae from growing.
- Can clean stains: Stains in your pool can be caused by excess algae build up. Getting rid of this stain requires a proper brushing of the walls and floor of the pool. This helps your pool look better.
- Prevents biofilm: Biofilm can form a layer on your pool. Once formed, it is not so easy to get rid of it. Regular brushing ensures that such a biofilm will not be formed in your pool.
- Brushing ensures proper disinfection: Yes! Brushing the pool ensures it is disinfected effectively. When you add chlorine to your pool water, it may not spread evenly over the entire pool. By brushing the pool walls and floor, you are stirring up the water. This prevents chlorine from settling in a few places and spreads it all over the pool. This ensures that the pool is completely disinfected.
- Prevents etching: Corrosive etching is a problem that can affect your pool. Regular brushing makes the pool smoother and also softer. This prevents etching.
- Allows you to inspect your pool: When you brush the pool walls and floor, you are doing a complete inspection of your pool. It allows you to take a closer look at the pool. This can help you find any problems at an early stage so it can be solved before it becomes a major issue.
- It is a good exercise: Last but not least, spending some time brushing your pool is good exercise.
When to brush?
Unlike your teeth, you need not brush the pool daily. Brushing once a week should be sufficient unless you have a heavy-duty pool that is used every day. In such a case, you may need to brush twice or thrice a week. The best way to approach pool brushing is to brush two walls one day, the other two the next day, and the floor on the third day. Repeat this cycle after a day’s gap so you would have brushed your pool completely twice a week. If you live in Newcastle speak to your Newcastle Swimming Pool installer to find out your best options.
Which type of brush to use?
There are different types of brushes. Ideally, you need to have the following two types of brushes to get the best results from your brushing.
- Nylon bristled brush: This is the best type of brush to use for regular cleaning of your pool walls and floor. The nylon bristles are strong enough to ensure proper routine cleaning of the pool.
- Steel bristled brush: A brush with steel bristles is the best solution to tackle algae and to clean stains. This brush is heavy and abrasive. Moving it around the pool is not so easy. You cannot use this brush for routine cleaning. It is used only when you want to get rid of a stain or target any trouble spot in the pool. NOTE: If you have a fibreglass or vinyl pool, then DON’T use a steel bristled brush as it could damage the material.
Apart from these two brushes, there are corner brushes available to help you reach the corner of the pool. This can be helpful to clean jets and skimmers if you have them installed.
Once you are done brushing, store the brush away from the sun and elements of the weather. When the bristles wear down or once in four or five years, get a new brush.
How to clean?
Now that you know why you should clean the pool and which brush to use, the next thing to know is the cleaning process.
- Brush from the same point: Start brushing the pool from the same point every time. This ensures you clean in a pattern and will not miss out on any part of the pool. Cover every inch of the walls and surface so you don’t miss any area.
- Start from the steps: It is advisable to start the cleaning from the pool steps. The steps can be stained easily and can breed algae. So brush the steps regularly.
- Push don’t pull: While brushing, don’t pull the brush towards you! Push away towards the pool center. This ensures any debris removed is vacuumed out from the pool.
- Target the inside edges: While brushing, people tend to miss the inside edges of the pool. It may take a bit of effort but do it so the brushing is effective.
- Brush by hand: For difficult areas like skimmer ports, you can remove the brush from the handle and brush by hand. Take care so you don’t fall into the pool accidentally.
Brushing your pool regularly can definitely make a difference. It allows you to keep your pool clean, free from algae and stains and ensures the best maintenance of the pool. Brush the pool walls and floor once or twice a week for the best results.