Express Pool Care professionals explain vinyl pool care
Just as every swimming pool and every swimming pool owner is unique, so too is the way in which a pool is cared for based on its building material. Vinyl, fiberglass and concrete swimming pools all pose unique cleaning and maintenance challenges for the seasoned swimming pool service contractors at Express Pool Care.
If you own a vinyl liner pool, you are in the majority as studies show that close to 70 percent of all the pool owners in the United States opt for vinyl liner pools. The reasons are varied but likely include the fact that the pools are durable, affordable, easy to clean and come in myriad colors and styles.
As with any type of pool material, vinyl liners are exposed to chemicals, light and weather, 
temperature fluctuations and the potential for careless cleaning if you don’t quite understand what you’re doing when cleaning it without the expert help of a pool service pro.
If you own a vinyl liner swimming pool here are some items you will want to keep in mind:
- Even if you’re working with a pool professional, it’s still wise for the pool owner to understand the chemical manufacturers’ guidelines for care. Most vinyl liner issues arise because of chemical misuse.
- Your pool service contractor understands that chemicals need to be added one at a time.
- Dissolved chemicals should be added through the skimmer for best dispersion to the pool (trough the filtration system.
- Proper water balances need to be maintained — not too high or too low.
- Chemical balances of pH in the range of 7.2 to 7.6; total alkalinity at 80 ppm to 100 ppm; and calcium hardness at 200 ppm to 300 ppm are optimal.
- Free chlorine levels should be kept at 1.5 ppm to 2.5 ppm. If the concentration gets lower than 1.5 ppm, algae and bacterial growth can take hold and cause staining of the liner. If active chlorine concentration is greater than 2.5 ppm, liner wrinkling could happen.
Tips from pool contractors on seasonal swimming pool care
- Don’t use abrasive cleaning agents
- Use brushes that are designed for vinyl liner pools.
- Clean the pool with items specifically designed for vinyl liner pools
- Keep sharp objects away from the pool as they could tear the liner
- Once chemicals have been added, and dissipated, cover the pool to protect it from the sun’s rays
- Never drain the swimming pool without working with a pool professional. The older the liner, the higher the risk that it will shrink and not stretch back into its original shape.
- Don’t close up the pool without circulating the water for several hours after chemicals have been added. Your pool contractor will let you know how long the water should circulate
Regardless of the building material of your swimming pool, working with a pool professional will assure the water is always bacteria-free and that the pool is maintained at highest quality levels.