Having a swimming pool in Dubai can be a wonderful way to find relief from the hot summer months. However, without proper care and maintenance, your pool can quickly become an eyesore instead of the oasis you envisioned. By following some basic guidelines, you’ll be able to keep your pool cleaning Dubai sparkling all year long.
Choosing the Right Chemicals
The right pool chemicals in the correct ratios are essential for preventing algae growth and debris buildup. Chlorine is the most common pool disinfectant used to kill bacteria, while algaecides prevent green, black or mustard algae from taking over. When used together with mineral clarifiers and stabilizers, these chemicals will keep your pool water balanced and crystal clear.
Test kits are crucial to maintain proper chemical levels. Too little chlorine leaves water vulnerable to contaminants. Too much can irritate skin and damage pool surfaces. Testing pH weekly and chlorine every other day lets you make precise adjustments for clean, healthy water.
Maintaining Proper Water Levels
Evaporation causes water levels to drop over time, allowing more room for dirt and debris to accumulate. Check the skimmer and tile markings weekly for accurate water levels. Top up with fresh water as needed to prevent difficult stains and ensure optimal pump performance.
Using a pool cover when not in use also helps reduce evaporation and cuts back on chemical usage. Just be sure to occasionally clean covers to prevent organic matter like leaves from blowing in and decomposing when you reopen the pool.
Cleaning the Filter
Pool filters trap leaves, dust and other debris, preventing it from endlessly circulating through your pool system. As filters become clogged, water flow is restricted, chemicals diffuse less evenly, and pumps have to work harder.
Cartridge filters should be removed and rinsed every two weeks with a garden hose. DE and sand filters need to be backwashed, rinsing debris out of the filter bed about once a month or whenever pressure rises 8-10 PSI over starting levels. Refer to your model’s manual for step-by-step instructions.
Removing Debris
Daily removal of leaves, bugs and other visible contaminants before they sink or decompose will significantly cut back on chemical usage and staining. Fine debris and organic matter that makes it past the skimmer will settle along pool walls and floors. Use long-handled brushes weekly to agitate these areas so they make their way to the main drain.
Robotic cleaners are also highly effective at scrubbing and vacuuming pool surfaces if operated several times per week. Models with caddy wheels make it easy to drop them in wherever needed most.
Circulating the Water
Running your pool pump every day is what keeps water moving through the filter system to be chemically sanitized and debris captured. Time requirements vary based on pool size and other factors, but 8-12 hours daily is typical. Use a timer to ensure the pump runs during cheap electricity rates unless cleaning, which requires maximum flow.
Occasional hose brushing along pool steps and corners will prevent dead spots where water can stagnate instead of circulating. Waterfalls, fountains, or side wall water jets can also help push water to poorly circulating areas.
Maintaining Water Balance
Balanced water ensures chlorine works effectively and prevents dissolved metals, scale and staining. Test pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness and cyanuric acid levels monthly. pH between 7.4-7.6 is optimal. Boost alkalinity to 80-120 ppm, calcium to 200-400 ppm based on vinyl or plaster, and cyanuric acid to 30-50 ppm.
Imbalances can be difficult to correct once out of range, so stay on top of regular testing. Record all chemical additions too since certain combinations can be hazardous when mixed.
Shocking the Water
Periodic shocking helps maintain sanitizer levels and prevent organic compounds from building up. Add extra chlorine weekly to burn off contaminants and reactivate bromide tablets. For even stronger oxidation of waste and improved filtration, occasionally substitute dichlor or potassium monopersulfate shock treatments.
Shocking works best when chlorine levels drop below 1 ppm, so test first instead of overchlorinating. Only swim again once chlorinestabilizes below 5 ppm to avoid irritation.
Stain Identification and Removal
That brown mark on the bottom step or black spot on the wall didn’t appear overnight. Stains result from neglecting pools for just a short time. Oils, lotions, leaves and other organic material decompose, etching surfaces with stubborn stains.
Identify stains – are they metal, organic or other – to select the right remover. Let it sit as directed before scrubbing and vacuuming away. If stains resist treatment, you may need to resurface affected areas. Staying on top of maintenance is easier and cheaper!
Cleaning the Tiles
Pool tiles host some nasty grime, oils and hard water deposits that simple brushing leaves behind. Spray down tiles with diluted tile cleaner using a garden sprayer. Let it soak 5-10 minutes before aggressively scrubbing stains with a tile brush. Rinse thoroughly.
For a stronger clean, mix one part muriatic acid to nine parts water in an acid-resistant container. Wet tiles first before carefully pouring diluted acid only on vertical surfaces. Scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse immediately and thoroughly. Never use acids on pool decks.
Maintaining the Deck
The area surrounding your pool takes abuse from weather, debris and foot traffic. Keep it looking neat by spraying down the deck monthly with garden hose, brush and diluted deck cleaner. Pay special attention to corners and under railings where leaves accumulate.
Annually, clean underneath removable matting to prevent organic matter from decomposing and staining the underlying surface. Use brick paver cleaners on natural stone materials as needed to prevent permanent etching from spilled chemicals.
Repairing the Plaster
Plaster is porous and damaged by prolonged chemical imbalance, improper winterization and age. Minor cracking and chipping expands over time, becoming major hollows and splits that make resurfacing inevitable. Stay ahead by patching small flaws early.
Drain the pool, chisel out all loose material and thoroughly clean the area first. Apply bonding agents so new plaster adheres properly. Mix hydrylic patching cement per instructions and trowel over damages in thin layers, smoothing with a wet sponge. Mist cured patches daily for a week before gently refilling.
Handing Off Maintenance
Maintaining your own Dubai pool can be extremely time consuming when also juggling family, work and an active social life. Consider hiring a professional pool service company to handle all the maintenance hassles for you.
Reputable services test and balance the water, handle all chemicals and ensure proper circulation. They scrub surfaces, clean filters, replace parts and handle repairs. Some even monitor equipment remotely via smartphone apps and sensors. Optimal convenience lets you simply relax and enjoy your pool again!
Conclusion
By following these tips for swimming pool cleaning Dubai you’ll be able to spot potential issues early and prevent major headaches later. Test water regularly, clean surfaces frequently, and fix little repairs immediately to keep your backyard oasis sparkling and inviting year-round. With some consistent care, your pool will provide your family endless hours of safe recreation and relaxation.