What is the maintenance of natural pools like?
The maintenance of natural swimming pools is essential to prevent the proliferation of algae and other living organisms in the water that can eutrophy the water and affect the health of the people who bathe in them.
But if ecological pools do not contain chlorine or any other chemicals, then what does their maintenance consist of?
In this article we will explain how to carry out the optimal maintenance of a natural swimming pool so that you know everything that is involved.
But first, you will see exactly what these pools are, how they can benefit you and the importance of regular maintenance.
What are natural pools?
Natural pools are those that use environmentally friendly water purification systems, such as plants, instead of using chemicals to keep the water in perfect condition, such as chlorine.
Plants oxygenate the water and ensure the removal of nutrients that can turn into algae and other types of unwanted microorganisms, such as mosquito larvae.
In addition, a natural pool has natural filtration systems, such as gravel, volcanic rocks, plants and sand.
One of the usual characteristics of these pools is that the purification area is separated from the bathing area, and the water is recirculated by means of an external pump to and from the pool.
Benefits of ecological swimming pools
The advantages of having a naturalised swimming pool are:
- No chemicals are used for water maintenance: ecological pools avoid using chemicals for maintenance, which means that the water is much healthier and more tolerable for skin and eyes.
- You save water: with these pools you do not have to empty and refill your pool from time to time, as is the case with traditional pools. Therefore, water consumption is greatly reduced, and with it the cost for you to refill the pool.
- You save energy: traditional pools need a 1 horsepower pump to purify the water through the sand filter all the time. With natural pools you will also need a pump, but with much less power, which will reduce the energy consumption by 6 times.
- Self-regulating pH ecosystem: Bionatural pools have a self-regulating ecosystem that keeps the pH of the water in balance. This means that there is no need to add chemicals to adjust the pH of the water as in a traditional pool.
- They offer greater landscaping aesthetics: the natural elements, such as plants, wood, trees and rocks that you add in the design will make everything look homogeneous and the natural landscape will be much more aesthetic than a traditional pool.
Importance of the maintenance of natural pools
It is true that ecological pools require less maintenance than any type of pool, but it is still necessary to make sure that the pool is clean and hygienic.
And, to keep your pool water in optimal condition, you need to treat it.
By doing this, you extend the life of the water and the pool, and ensure that the swimming experience is optimal for everyone.
Maintenance of natural pools
Now it’s time to talk about the maintenance you need to apply to your pool, how you should do it, how often and where to start.
So, once a year it is advisable to carry out a thorough cleaning of the natural pool.
This includes draining the water and cleaning all surfaces and decorative elements.
It is also a good time to check the general condition of the pool and make any necessary repairs.
The working system we recommend to keep the pool in perfect condition is:
General overhaul of the natural pool
General maintenance of the natural pool consists of the removal of leaves or any debris floating in the water to prevent the proliferation of algae and other living things.
On the other hand, it is important to check regularly that the water level is optimal and, if necessary, pour in as much water as necessary to ensure that the pool is 100% full.
Finally, it is highly recommended to clean the bottom of the pool to avoid slipping and possible accidents.
This cleaning can be done with a pool cleaner or an aquatic hoover, and all you have to do is run it over the floor to pick up the existing debris.
Annual pool cleaning
However, there is a type of maintenance for natural pools that is much more thorough, and this should be carried out once a year.
We recommend that you start early and set aside a couple of hours for cleaning.
And, remember that it is not necessary to empty the entire pool for this maintenance.
The activities you have to follow in this maintenance plan are:
Maintenance of the pool lights
Most modern swimming pools today have solar LED natural pool lights that enhance the aesthetics of the space and keep it well lit at night.
And the best thing about these lights is that they are recharged by the sun, so they don’t cost money to maintain.
However, they do need routine cleaning every year.
So, take a brush and remove any residue stuck to the LED light. Then take a rag and finish scrubbing it.
Cleaning of decorative elements
We are talking about rocks and plants. For example, rocks get algae and slime on them, so remove the dirt with a brush.
And the plants should be pruned with special shears to reduce their size if they have grown too much and to remove those that have already died.
Cleaning the biological filter
Remove the filter from the system and use a pressurised hose to remove the accumulated dirt.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the maintenance of natural pools is simple because they have no chemicals and the water almost cleans itself.
But it is important that every year you apply the proper maintenance so that the decorative elements, the filter and the water are clean.
Also, don’t forget that good solar LED lights can enhance the swimming experience on a summer night.