Keeping your pool in pristine condition doesn’t have to be a daunting task. 

With just a few minutes of daily attention, you can ensure it stays clean and safe for use. Weekly or bi-weekly maintenance might require a bit more effort, and monthly checks – especially for beginners – may require professional assistance.

Proper pool maintenance isn’t just about keeping your water crystal clear – it’s a safeguard for your pool’s health, your safety, and your wallet. If you neglect routine checks, small quick-fix issues can cause severe structural damage, pose health risks, and skyrocket your energy bills.

1. To Prevent Costly Repairs by Extending Pool Lifespan

Skipping regular upkeep can cause minor issues – like debris buildup or unnoticed leaks – to escalate into major problems. For example, unchecked debris can clog filters, overwork the pump, and even cause permanent damage to the lining or structure. 

Similarly, algae buildup can eat away at surfaces, while small cracks, when left unattended, can grow into leaks requiring significant repairs. 

Routine maintenance, like vacuuming and inspecting the pool system, prevents these problems and ensures your pool stays functional for years to come.

2. Avoid Health Risks from Contaminated Water

Without regular cleaning and chemical balancing, you would be making your pool a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, algae, and viruses. 

Under-sanitized and contaminated water promotes the growth of pathogens like E. coli and Pseudomonas, which can cause skin rashes, eye infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses. Also, poorly balanced chemicals can irritate swimmers’ skin and eyes or even trigger respiratory issues. 

3. Maintain Chemical Balance to Prevent Equipment Issues

Incorrect chemical levels don’t just affect swimmers – they can damage your pool equipment over time. 

For example, high acidity corrodes metal parts like ladders and pool heaters, while high alkalinity causes cloudy water and scaling on surfaces. So, testing your pool water at least once a week ensures a balanced pH (7.2-7.6) and proper sanitiser levels. 

4. Save Big on Energy Bills 

Neglected equipment, like a dirty filter or an unserviced pump, forces your pool system to work harder, consuming more energy. 

For instance, a clogged filter can restrict water flow, making the pump overcompensate and wear out faster. Similarly, leaks in suction or return lines can create air bubbles in the pump, causing it to lose prime and waste energy. 

Pool maintenance is an ongoing task that requires attention to detail. Here’s a basic schedule to help you stay on top of it.

Daily Tasks

Run the Filter System

• Summer: Run the filter for 8 to 12 hours a day, with 12 hours being optimal in hot weather for maintaining clarity.
• Winter: Reduce filter time to 4 to 6 hours a day but keep the pool open to avoid freezing and algae buildup.
• Nighttime: Running the filter at night is more energy-efficient and can save you money.

Check the Pump

Ensure the pump is running smoothly. If you have a variable-speed pump, set it to low speed to save energy. Running it at low speed all day saves money and increases efficiency.

Skim the Surface

Use a skimmer net to remove leaves, bugs, and debris from the surface. Regularly empty the skimmer basket to prevent contamination. Clean the strainer basket to avoid clogging the filter and maintain clean water.

Monitor Water Levels

Check that the water level is at the correct height, typically at the midpoint of the skimmer. This helps the skimmer remove debris effectively and prevents the pump from drawing in air, which could cause damage.

• Low Water: If the water level is too low, the skimmer will malfunction and won’t catch debris.
• High Water: If the water level is too high, the pool may overflow, and the skimmer will not be able to draw water effectively.

Test Water Chemistry

There are three methods to test pool water chemistry:

• Test Strips – Easy and quick, measuring pH, alkalinity, and chlorine.
• Pool Testing Kits – Collect small water samples that change colour to indicate levels of pH, alkalinity, and chlorine.
• Digital Testers – Devices that connect to smartphones for more detailed readings.

Ideally, the pH should be between 7.2-7.6, alkalinity should be between 100-150 ppm and chlorine should be between 1.0-3.0 ppm.

Brush Walls and Steps

Scrub the walls and steps to remove visible algae or dirt. This helps prevent algae growth and debris buildup.

Weekly/Bi-Weekly Tasks

Vacuum the Pool

If you’re not skimming or brushing your pool daily, vacuum the pool once every 2 weeks, or best, once a week. You can use a manual vacuum cleaner or invest in an automatic pool cleaner (pressure-side, suction-side, or robotic cleaner).

Shock the Pool

Shocking is the process of adding a concentrated amount of sanitiser to the pool to prevent bacteria, algae, and cloudy water. This can be done using chlorine, salt, or bromine. Shocking is especially important twice a month during the hot summer season – when pool usage is at its highest.

Add Algaecide

Apply algaecide weekly to prevent algae growth, particularly during the summer when water temperature rises.

Balance Pool Chemicals

Test the pool water for alkalinity, calcium hardness, and stabiliser levels to maintain proper chemical balance. This ensures swimmer comfort and prolongs the life of the pool equipment.

Cover the Pool

If the pool is not in use, cover it to prevent debris accumulation and help maintain heat. This also makes cleaning easier when you’re ready to use the pool again.

Monthly Tasks

Inspect the Equipment

Regularly inspect the pool liner for any tears or holes. Check the filters, heaters, and pumps for signs of damage. If any parts (such as gaskets or O-rings in the union) are worn or damaged, replace the filter and look for chemical scale or corrosion that may need attention.

Complete Water Test

• Test all water parameters to ensure they are within ideal ranges. This includes checking for metals like copper and iron as well, which can stain the pool.
• Also, test the stabiliser levels, which should be between 30-50 ppm. Stabiliser protects chlorine from degradation by UV rays, maintaining its effectiveness.

Watch out for algae

If algae is starting to form, shock the pool with a high-dose chlorine treatment and brush the surfaces thoroughly. Be sure to follow the product instructions for the correct amount of shock treatment.

While many of these tasks can be done by yourself, when you’re new to pool care, it’s a good idea to bring in a professional for a monthly maintenance check. This ensures that everything is in the right place, working properly, and that potential issues are caught early, giving you peace of mind.

Every pool has unique maintenance needs. How often you have to perform basic tasks like skimming the surface to advanced treatments, such as chlorine shocking, depends on a variety of factors. Such as;

1. 1. Bather Load

2. The more swimmers in the pool, the more maintenance it needs. Increased use adds debris, body oils, sweat, and sunscreen, which affect water chemistry and cleanliness. During peak seasons, you’ll need longer filtering time, more frequent chemical testing, and extra cleaning.

3. For pools with less use, only basic tasks like filtering, skimming, and chemical testing are necessary.

4. 2. Pool type (Inground vs Above-ground)

5. Inground pools require more maintenance as they have a large size and have more complex filtration systems. Maintenance tasks usually include regular cleaning, chemical balancing, and equipment inspection.

6. Above-ground pools are easier to handle and less time-consuming due to their smaller size and simple filtration systems. They require regular cleaning, water testing, and ensuring that the structures remain intact. 

1. 3. Weather conditions

2. In hot weather, the sun degrades the chlorine faster, and debris like leaves and pollen accumulates in the water as the pool remains open for most of the time. And so it consistently requires chlorine and shock treatments (every 2 weeks) to ensure water is clear and safe.

3. In cold weather, winterisation has to be done to prepare pools for freezing temperatures and prevent damage to the system. This process involves draining water from the pipes and equipment and using special chemicals to protect the pool’s surfaces while the pump runs periodically. This prevents water from freezing in the pipes, which could otherwise cause cracks and other damage.

Rainfall can also introduce debris and dirt into the pool and can dilute pool chemicals. Therefore, more frequent pH and chlorine tests are implemented, along with skimming, vacuuming, and chemical testing.

7. 4. Pool Materials and Liners

Concrete pools: They have porous surfaces which collect dirt and algae. These pools need to be brushed and their chemical balance has to be checked more often.

Vinyl pools: They are prone to punctures and require careful chemical balance and regular inspections for holes and tears.

Fiberglass pools: Low maintenance is required owing to their smooth and non-porous surface.

1. 5. Chlorination system

Saltwater chlorinators: Saltwater chlorinators use electrolysis to convert salt into chlorine, creating a more natural chlorine source. While these systems are generally low maintenance, they can produce chlorine in abundance, so regular checks on chlorine levels are needed. Additionally, electrolysis can increase the risk of corrosion in filter parts, so it’s important to monitor the system and keep it in good condition to prevent damage.

Manual Chlorination: This system requires the most maintenance. You need to manually add chlorine to the pool and constantly monitor both free and combined chlorine levels to ensure water quality. This process demands more vigilance and regular adjustments.

Automatic Chlorination: Traditional automatic chlorinators, such as those using stabilised dichlor tablets, require the least maintenance. They automatically add chlorine to the pool, keeping levels consistent without much effort. While periodic checks are still needed, they save time and reduce manual work.

1. 6. Filter’s Run Time

2. To keep your pool clean and in good condition, you should run the filtration system for 8 to 12 hours a day. For inground pools, maintenance tasks are usually done 1-2 times per week. Above-ground pools typically need daily filtration for 8 to 12 hours.

3. Also, it’s important to backwash the filter every 2 weeks to a month, depending on the pool size and usage.

We recommend doing simple tasks such as skimming the surface, running filter systems, checking water levels, vacuuming, brushing the walls and floors, and covering the pools – all by yourself. They don’t require professional expertise, and hiring someone $50-$100/hr for things you can do yourself is definitely NOT cost-effective.

That being said, there are other tasks that are best left to professionals. While you can shock the pool yourself, if the water chemistry is significantly off balance, it’s safer to call in a professional – especially when you’re new to this. 

Similarly, when pool equipment needs repair – from replacing loose gaskets or o-rings to checking for leaks in union fittings and fixing drain valves – it’s best to let someone with technical pool knowledge handle the job. 

While we can all agree that there’s quite a bit more to the care of pools, one thing to note is that if you master the basics, you’re set for long-term success. 

As you gain experience, the daily tasks and periodic maintenance will become easier and more effortless. With the right approach, attention to detail, and a little patience, you’ll be set for years to come as a pool owner.