Swimming pools are great to have at home; especially during the hot summer months when a dip in the cool water is a few steps away in your own backyard is the height of convenience. But owners also have to remember to maintain their pools because an unkempt pool can irritate skin, make eyes burn, and become a place for bacteria to accumulate.

Although swimming pool supply merchandisers manufacture and sell a lot of products to help with pool maintenance such as automatic cleaners and automatic pool cleaner parts, it wouldn’t be amiss to learn at least the basics of maintaining your pool. There’s more to it than just keeping your cartridge pool filters, which capture the debris and prevent it from mixing with the pool water, clean. Here are three other things to remember when it comes to pool maintenance.

First, chlorine levels must be between 1 to 3 ppm. Chlorine binds with the organic contaminants in the pool in order to keep it clean. Remember that it shouldn’t be dumped into the pool water all at once. Rather, chlorine should be added gradually. To help with this, a pool owner can use automatic or floating chlorine feeders.

Second, pH levels should be anywhere from 7.6 to 7.8. Chlorine levels above or below this range can cause pool water to become corrosive. In connection with this, alkaline (which helps balance the pH) levels should be around 80 to 120 ppm.

Third, check for calcium hardness at least once a year as this can cause buildup in your pool. The levels should be between 150 to 250 ppm.

For the safety and health of everyone using your pool, always keep it clean and ready for use.