Essential Pool Equipment List

Having a pool is a great way to have fun in the hot summer months and can provide hours of outdoor enjoyment for your family and friends. But unless you want it to be a dangerous, murky mess, it’s important to keep up with essential pool equipment. Not only is pool equipment vital to keeping the pool safe and healthy, but it may also prevent the need for a major repair bill in the future. By including these 9 essential items you can be confident your pool will continue to be a pleasant hot day past time for years to come.

1. Chemicals: Chemicals are essential to keep the water free of pathogens, bacteria, and other things that cause cloudiness, skin and eye irritations, and in the worst cases, damage to the pool itself. The art and science of balancing the perfect combination of chemicals may take some practice, but it will ensure the healthiest possible environment for your pool.

2. Filter: A pool requires a filter to sift out larger impurities that may accumulate. There are three main types of filters: sand, cartridge, and Diatomaceous Earth (DE). Sand filters are the most basic and least expensive, but requires a lot of maintenance and remove impurities only down to 20-40 microns. Cartridge filters are like a carpet vacuum and only require cleaning 2 times a season and can remove particles down to 10-15 microns. DE filters are the most powerful and can filter down to 2-5 microns in size but require frequent backwashing, depending on the water pressure in the pump.

3. Vacuum: Pool vacuums come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and prices that range from $40 to $2000. While some require manual operation, others have a self-powered crawler system that will do the job while you’re sleeping.

4. Caulk: Pool caulk should be inspected once a year and if necessary, replaced. Caulking around your pool will keep moss and mildew from forming, as well as prevent water from seeping and possibly freezing, causing damage to the pool or surrounding area.

5. Pumice: Mineral build up inside your pool can cause staining and should be monitored at least once a year. If necessary, lower the water level below the stained tiles and use a pumice stone to scrape the stains away. This is also a good time to re-grout and/or replace any damaged tiles.

6. Fiberglass Cleaner and Polish: It’s also important to keep fiberglass parts such as diving boards and slides maintained with a fiberglass cleaner. This will help protect them from the sun’s UV rays. The polish will help keep the slide slippery and safe.

7. Skimmer Net: Skimmer nets are important tools used to remove debris from the pool without the need to vacuum. Keep a few on hand to make skimming faster and easier.

8. Brushes: Long handled brushes are perfect for deep cleaning hard-to-reach places such as corners, steps, and ladders. A medium-stiff bristle brush is versatile for most cleaning tasks and should do the job for you.

9. Test Strips: Test strips are one of the most important pool maintenance tools. Keeping up with the chemical balance ensures a healthy pool and can prevent skin and eye irritation. Test strips are easy to use and tell you the exact chemical balance in your pool at any given time.

By having all the essential pool equipment on-hand, you can be sure that your pool continues to be an enjoyable and safe place to cool off during those hot summer months. Maintaining the propper chemical balance in the water and keeping regular cleaning and maintenance on your pool will help keep the pool beautiful and healthy for years to come.