Have you ever noticed that when you are swimming in your pool, the water comes off looking like it has oil in it? You are not alone. It seems like every other swimmer has this problem at one time or another. The oil appears clear when the water is new. However, as soon as your pool water gets about a day or two old, the oil starts to come through. It also appears that this oil is somewhat stubborn and will not wash off easily with a simple cleaning.
If this issue concerns you, then there are a few ways that you can remove the oil from your pool. Keep reading for some guidance.
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Option One: Use Mechanical Equipment
There are a few different pieces of mechanical equipment that you can use to remove oil from your swimming pool water. The most basic and popular among pet owners is a water strainer. Simply put, a water strainer is a piece of metal or wire that sits near the surface of the pool. When the water flows by, gravity will pull any contaminates towards the strainer. Once the water has been strained, it is then pumped out through a convenient handle or spout. A mechanical advantage made this equipment extremely practical for use during heavy rainstorms or hurricanes when you can’t use your hands for other activities.
Other popular mechanical pool oil removal equipment includes a skimmer, automatic drain opener, and vacuum pump. A skimmer is simply a small device that sits on the surface of the water and helps in the circulation process. It is also responsible for removing dead fish and algae from the pool which is good for the overall health of the water. An automatic drain opener is a device that connects to your existing drain line and automatically opens the valve when water is removed from the pool. This ensures that your pool stays clean by preventing any straining or manual opening of the valve when you are done using it.
A vacuum pump is an essential part of any swimming pool because it allows you to remove the majority of the air from the pool while still keeping the fish alive. The downside of a vacuum pump is its size which makes it a bit harder to transport in and out of your home. Still, most pools now have a designated spot for it where you can easily reach when needed.
Option Two: Use Chemical Cleaning
While mechanical equipment takes care of the large majority of oil in your pool, occasionally you may need to give it a bit of a helping hand. Chemical cleaning is the process of using different chemicals to kill the oil molecules and leave the water crystal clear. There are a few different chemicals that you can use for this task but the most popular among pool owners is diatomaceous earth (MEG). MEG is a soil-based product that is completely harmless and natural. It is most effective at neutralizing oil while leaving your pool water crystal clear. This makes it excellent for use during extreme heat waves or hurricanes when you need to ensure that your pool stays clean without risking the health of your fish.
Option Three: Use a Combination Of Techniques
For particularly stubborn oil, you may need to try a combination of the above techniques. Most people, myself included, start by using a water strainer to remove as much of the oil as possible. If this isn’t effective, then they switch to using a skimmer and vacuum pump to get the last bit of oil. Still, not all oil can be removed with these devices so for those stubborn spots, they switch to using MEG or Dawn dish soap (yes, that stuff you wash your dishes with) to get the last bit of oil out. If this still isn’t effective, then they resort to using a scrubber brush or even a cloth to the finalize the process.
Now that you are armed with some basic information on how to remove oil from your pool, you can get back to swimming and enjoying your time with your pet. Remember, the key to keeping your pool clean is regular cleaning which can be easily done with the help of a few simple tools. Make sure to clean all underwater surfaces including the walls, bottom, and even the sides of the pool to ensure all germs and bacteria are removed. Also, whenever you use any cleaning product, make sure to disinfect the area afterward to prevent any potential irritation to your skin or eyes. If you want to keep your pool clean and healthful, then you must practice good pool hygiene by washing your hands before and after cleaning the pool area, using a disinfectant spray or solution, and changing the water often.