The Manly Guide to Seasonal Pool Maintenance – Fiberglass

One of the top reasons people choose to install a fiberglass pool is the minimal pool maintenance they need. But even these pools can use a little attention now and then.

Regular maintenance tips for your fiberglass pool include:

• Chemistry: at least once each week, you should check the level of your pool sanitizing agents and pH. While topping up your chlorine or other sanitizer levels is recommended on an as-needed basis, pH should not be adjusted more than once each week
  
• Water level: the optimal fill level for your pool is the midpoint of your skimmer, so when there are plenty of kids splashing away use your hose and top the level up. Similarly, if you have a heavy rainstorm or accidental overfill, a submersible pump might be a good option – but contact your pool professionals for specifics to avoid damage.
  
• Skimming: empty the skimmer every few days, but also use a net and skim leaves and other floating debris off the surface of the water
• Scrubbing: to avoid discoloration, brush your pool down at least twice a week – if you have a pool vacuum, run it on the same schedule.
• Filtration: be sure your filter basket is emptied regularly, at least once a week and always after large gatherings. Also, set your filter on a regular schedule so that it’s running for at least six hours a day during peak season. In addition, occasionally you should undertake monthly maintenance tasks like:
• CHEMICALS: in addition to your ongoing checks for sanitizer and pH levels, you should do a monthly test of your pool water that includes pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid.
• FILTERS: whether you have a cartridge, sand, or diatomaceous earth filter, it is one of the most important keys to your pool operating smoothly. Cleaning your filter and regularly back flushing your filtration pipe work is important to ensuring reliable pump function.
• INSPECTION: for a fiberglass pool, one of the most important regular checks is a visual inspection for cracks.
• STAINS: while you’re inspecting for cracks, make note of any stains or discoloration, particularly along the water line. A Magic Eraser can work wonders on these with a little elbow grease – and for tougher stains, you can try treating the area with ascorbic acid.

Many of the maintenance steps for your vinyl liner pool are the same as those you would undertake for a fiberglass pool, but there are several differences worth noting.