Gunite pool maintenance is necessary to keep your pool clean and in good condition. These beautiful, custom pools can be a valuable addition to your home, and if you maintain them, they could continue to provide that for years to come.
If you have a custom gunite pool, like those we offer at Edge Landscape Co, proper pool maintenance is critical to ensuring they last and maintain a healthy swimming environment for you and your family (and even future generations).
Tips for Gunite Pool Maintenance
While we recommend hiring a professional for many aspects of gunite pool maintenance, there are several things you can do for regular care:
1. Remove Debris Regularly
Consistency is key here. Because gunite pools are porous, debris from trees like leaves and twigs, insects, and other materials can create a significant risk of staining if not consistently removed. Use a skimmer frequently to remove anything floating on the surface. Clean out the filter baskets often and more frequently when leaves begin to drop..
If you don’t do this, the debris will break down and degrade water quality. Over time debris may stain plaster finishes and impact the filter’s circulation. Use of the skimmer for debris removal is one of the easiest steps and one of the most important to perform throughout the open season.
2. Proper Cleaning Techniques
If you’re handling the gunite pool maintenance yourself, consider these strategies to help you ensure the best possible outcome:
- Always follow any recommendations from the manufacturer. That helps protect your warranty.
- Use friction to remove material. A brush, for example, is more effective than simply using chemicals. Apply only a soft brush to the walls to avoid damaging the material.
- Robotic Vacuums are an excellent investment. They operate automatically and can scrub the surfaces of your pool while you’re not using it.
Avoid using any chemical not recommended by the manufacturer. Even when opening the pool for the first time, using only safe materials for the gunite itself is critical.
3. Importance of a High-Quality Filtration System
No matter how much vacuuming and scrubbing you do, it does not replace the need for an effective and efficient filtration system. This system’s goal is to remove the small debris and microscopic elements you may not see.
Invest in a high-quality filtration system, and you’ll minimize the gunite pool maintenance work you do. Look for ones designed specifically for your pool’s size and with as much power as your budget allows.
Then, learn how to use the filter, maintain it, and consistently keep it clean. That will improve pool conditions whenever you want to dip your toes in.
4. Maintain the Chemical Balance
More chlorine or additives aren’t always better. Although you’ll find products like pool shock and clarifiers out there that promise to provide sparkling clean water, you don’t want to swim in highly chemical-filled pools.
The better option is to choose a quality product and learn about chlorine, pH balance, and alkalinity. Ask our team to help you determine the best balance of pool chemicals for your specific environment, pool size, and your goals (such as a natural pool water balance).
Then, be sure to test the water throughout the use season. This will protect swimmers and pool equipment from too many or too few chemicals.
5. Using Algaecides to Prevent Algae Infection
One of the biggest concerns with gunite pool maintenance is controlling algae. Algaecides can prove valuable here because they minimize algae growth in your pool or on the pool walls. Application type and frequency really depend on your environment, pool size, and how frequently you use the pool. You can also avoid algae growth by using your filtration system throughout the week.
Thinking About a Custom Gunite Pool?
Gunite pool maintenance is simple when done right, helping you enjoy your pool for years to come. If you’re ready to dive into custom designs or need new automation and cleaning systems, contact us at Edge Landscape Co.—we’re here to help make your backyard dreams a reality. For expert pool maintenance, we also recommend our trusted partner, Carolina Swim, to keep your pool in top condition year-round.