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It is absolutely crucial to use swimming pool chemicals to keep your pool water free from algae and other bacteria. This treatment is needed as part of a regular maintenance routine to ensure a safe swim for you and your family.

The most commonly used pool chemical to kill bacteria is chlorine - you buy it in the form of "chlorinating agents" which gradually releases the active chemical as they dissolve in water. You can also buy calcium chloride to lower water hardness, algae eaters and pH balancers, all of which will help you keep your swimming pool in a healthy condition.
The following guide will further describe some of the main factors involved in maintaining your swimming pool.

Importance of Regular Pool Maintenance
It's highly important to maintain the correct pH levels in your pool water as well as to use the right amounts of chemicals - these two points go hand in hand. In addition, you need to do regular checks to ensure the water and chemical levels are always as they should be. Neglecting your vigilance in this could not only affect swimmers (e.g. burning eyes, bacterial infection causing diarrhoea), but also damage the structure of the pool.

Top Tips
When you open your swimming pool after the winter (for those who don't have a heating system and only use their pool in the summer months), you should always administer chemicals called "Shocks", which are high dosage amounts of pool chemicals to properly clean the water before you start using it again.

There is a wide range of swimming pool chemical treatments available these days - the type and amount you use depends on understanding their different qualities as well as what you feel comfortable with and what your budget allows. Once you've done your research and made your decision, you can usually find the cheapest deal online.

Finally, if you have a family, always keep the swimming pool chemicals in a place where the kids cannot get at them easily. It's also important not to place the different chemicals close to each other, not to mix them and to store them at the correct temperature. Above all, read the directions for each product carefully.

Above Ground Swimming Pool Maintenance Explained
The following advice relates to the steps to take to keep above ground swimming pools in great condition.

Filter and Pump.
The most important factor when dealing with above ground pool maintenance is the pool's pump - this cleans all debris from the pool and helps prevent bacteria growth by circulating the water through its attached filter. The best way forward for optimal performance is to keep the pump running for at least 8 to 10 hours every day during summer or whenever the pool is being used.

You will also need to keep the filter clean. It must be backwashed and the cartridge filter changed when it gets dirty. The truth is that many above ground pools have small cartridge filters that don't do the best job - if this is the case with your pool, you're advised to get a bigger sand filter and pump.

Pool Chemicals
The pH level of your pool water needs to be checked at least once a week to make sure that the correct level is maintained, which is between 7.2 and 7.6. This is also highly important since if the water is anywhere outside this range, the pool chemicals will not be as effective as they should be.

If you use your pool every day, that means more contaminants. You'll want to oxidise these contaminants with a "pool shock" - this frees the chlorine in the swimming pool which keeps the water clean and also kills algae. To maintain the optimal range of 10 ppm chlorine in the water, buy pool test strips to measure the chlorine and alkalinity levels. As a general rule of thumb - for every 44,000 litres of pool water, add 1 bag of shock per week.

General Do's and Don'ts
• Every time your pool is being shocked, vacuum and run the filter for about 8 hours. If you notice that the water appears slightly cloudy, simply run the filter continuously until it's clear.
• It's also a good idea to add algaecide once a week to thoroughly knock out any algae growth.
• On a weekly basis, you're advised to scrub all the sides of the pool.
• Don't drain the pool as this will dry the liner, which could result in having to replace it.
• Ensure that whoever enters the pool has clean feet.