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Tools and materials
- Detergent for cleaning the surface
- Anti-mold product
- Hose
- Brushes or a high-pressure cleaning device
- Disinfectant
- Chloro-rubber paint for swimming pools
- Brushes and rollers
- Chlorine tablets
- Anti-algae product
- Detergents for removing grease and calcium
- Equipment for analyzing chlorine and pH
- pH corrector

Use gloves at all times.

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Why must you clean the pool?
- Even if the water in the pool seems perfect, this may be just in appearance. There are many agents which can contaminate it, from swimmers' sweat to makeup, insects and plants.
- Most of the time it is impossible to remove all these agents with the traditional pool filter, so from time to time you must use chemical products to prevent contagion and avert growth of fungus, algae, bacteria and viruses.
- Chlorine is the most commonly used product for treating swimming pool water. But you must use it properly and carefully to avoid other problems. The proper level is between 0.5 and two. Measure it several times a day.

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What is pH?
- It indicates how acidic or alkaline a water-based solution is. The scale runs from 0 - high acidity - to 14, high alkaline content. The average value is neutral, and set at 7.
- The figure for your pool should stay between 7.2 and 7.6. If it is higher the water will be cloudy and film will form. If it is lower, the water will irritate people's eyes and skin, and corrode materials.
- Measure the pH periodically with a test kit.

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Cleaning the pool
- First empty the pool and remove the dirt from the surface. Spread detergent on the walls and floor of the pool with a brush or sponge, and leave it there however long the manufacturer recommends.
- When this product has dried, wall the walls with lots of water. You can do it with a regular hose and a brush, but you will probably be better off with a high-pressure cleaning system. The pressure and the ability to regulate the flow of water will be useful and save you time.
- If the residue does not come off the first time repeat the operation.
- Pool mold tends to come off with products based on trisodium phosphate or hypochloride bleach. If you are going to paint afterwards, you will have to wash the surfaces with abundant water.

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Painting the surface
- Before undertaking this job you must examine the condition of the entire surface. If it is made of ceramic tile, make sure none of the tiles have come off. If so, clean that spot, put another tile in place and seal it with cement glue or some other kind of adhesive.
- If the walls are made of concrete or cement mortar, check for small cracks.
- Check the existing coat of paint. Symptoms to look out for are cracking and warping.

- When you apply paint, do so in a small area and wait 30 minutes to see if bubbles form. If they do it means the paint is not adhering well. Try somewhere else to see if the problem is widespread and you have to remove the old layer of paint with either steel-bristle brushes or chemicals.
- Apply two diluted layers of chloro-rubber paint and third one non-diluted. Let each coat dry as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Apply the first coat with a brush so it will penetrate better. If you use rollers, choose ones made of cloth or nylon, not fiber.
- Do not paint in the sun or when the temperature is above 30 degrees.
- After a week has gone by, fill the pool, add chlorine and check the pH.

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Tips
- Do not empty the pool after the summer season. This way there will be less lime and dirt on the surface the following year. Don't let the pool freeze over in winter.
- Cover the pool with a polyester cover when it is not in use for extended periods. This will also prevent accidents, especially if there are children around.
- Keep leftover cleaning products in cool, dry, well ventilated places and out of the reach of children.

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