A pool is a lovely addition to any backyard - as long as it is cleaned and maintained properly. These large vessels filled to the brim with water require daily care to keep them safe and clean for your family to enjoy.  Establishing a daily, weekly and periodic maintenance schedule of your swimming pool ensures that the water remains clean and the equipment functions at peak efficiency. Check out these tips for swimming pool cleaning and maintenance to keep your backyard pool in top condition.

Daily Chores

A few minutes of daily care can save you tremendously on maintenance over the long haul. Most pool owners find that daily care can be as easy as skimming debris off the surface of the pool and cleaning out skimmer baskets to avoid a buildup of dirt. If you live in an area that gets frequent afternoon storms, you might need to clean the water twice a day to keep out leaves and other debris. To prevent the need for double duty, use a pool cover in the afternoon if there is a good chance of a storm. Clean dirt off of the cover before removing or you may find the majority of it heading straight into your pool water.

Weekly Chores

Pool water requires chemicals to keep it safe and clean for swimming. If the balance of these chemicals is askew, it can create a potentially dangerous environment for your family. Testing your pool water weekly will ensure the levels remain within acceptable levels. You can also take a sample of your water to a professional service once every month or two for a thorough testing and troubleshooting. It is a good idea to test the water well below the surface for an accurate reading.

Since the walls and floors of a pool can get a dirty buildup, weekly cleaning is important. The easiest way to do this is with a brush, vacuum and cleaner designed specifically for this purpose. If you want to make this process quicker, spend a few minutes a day using the brush to wipe down the walls, and you will have less buildup to worry about at the end of the week. It is also a good idea to hose off the pool decking while you are performing your weekly maintenance to keep it looking clean and attractive.

Periodic Chores

Most pool owners take a sample of their pool water in for testing every month or two. You can find a professional service in your area or use the company from whom you bought your pool. Some will provide the service for free to customers. It is also a good idea to "shock" your pool every two weeks. Shocking involves a process of oxidization that breaks down waste like dead skin cells and body oils so they can be removed from the pool. The process is done using a special product for this purpose.

Keeping your swimming pool clean is the first step to keeping it safe. With a regular maintenance schedule, you will have peace of mind in knowing that your family is enjoying healthy, safe summer fun.