How to Maintain a Pool Yourself
There’s nothing quite like diving into a clear, sparkling pool on a warm, sunny summer day. It’s the perfect way to cool off, relax, and enjoy time with family and friends. But behind every beautiful, inviting pool is consistent, year-round care. Keeping your pool in top condition takes more than just skimming the surface—it requires regular maintenance, attention to detail, and a bit of planning. Whether you're a new pool owner or just looking to improve your upkeep routine, we've put together a helpful list of 7 essential tips to keep your pool healthy, clean, and swim-ready all season long.
1. Skim & Scrub
Regular maintenance to your pool starts with plenty of skimming and scrubbing. Skimming is one of the most common and regularly done types of maintenance that you'll be doing for your pool. Learning how to maintain a pool yourself starts with simple daily tasks—like skimming. Skimming involves removing leaves, insects, and other debris from the surface of your pool. It’s a quick chore that, when done regularly, helps keep your pool looking clean and inviting every day.
Scrubbing won't have to be done as often but should be done every other week at least. Remember to scrub the sides of your swimming pool with a scrub brush to make sure the walls and floor are looking great. Watch out for any algae growth and use the scrub brush to ensure it doesn't build up.
2. Rake & Vacuum
Use a pool rake or net to scoop out debris such as leaves, twigs, and branches. While there are plenty of options on the market, we recommend you invest in a high-quality scoop. It should feature a sturdy, lightweight design and an extra-wide net with a telescopic pole. This makes it easier to access all areas of your pool.
Use a pool vacuum to remove leaves, dirt, and other debris that has fallen to the bottom of the pool. If you have a bit of money to spend, consider buying a robot vacuum that will clean the bottom of the pool for you.
3. Clean the Filter & Baskets
A dirty filter can have a dramatic effect on water circulation. This is what can lead to a green or cloudy pool, even if the chemical levels are fine. When water passes through the filter, millions of tiny particles cling to the filter. The accumulation of such particles can lead to a sluggish pump that doesn’t do its job. Thus, a clean filter is crucial to helping you maintain a healthy pool. There are several different kinds of filters and all come with a unique cleaning process, so learn how to properly service yours (or let a pro handle it for you). Skimmers draw in water from the surface of the pool, where most pollutants including debris, and sunscreen are to be found. They collect the dirt before it has time to stinks to help maintain clean water. You’ll need to check and empty the skimmer basket weekly to keep your skimmer working at its best. If your pool has a debris or leaf basket, be sure to empty those weekly, as well.
4. Check & Balance pH Levels
One of the very most important steps to maintaining your pool is testing the water quality often. When you do that, you’ll know which chemical to add to the water to keep it balanced and clear. You must keep the chlorine levels consistent at all times.
Water quality should be checked at least once per week during the summer months, but even more often if possible. That’s because a pool without the right chemical balance can harbor bacteria, look murky, and be dangerous to swim in.
Even in the winter, you should check your pool water’s pH levels, though less frequently. And keep in mind that the pH should always stay between 7.4 and 7.6. An off-balance pH can lead to calcium buildup around the sides of your pool and a host of other problems. Thus, you must be checking and balancing pH levels properly.
5. Maintain Water Level
Maintaining a stable water level can keep all the various aspects of your pool in harmony and is a great way to maintain a healthy pool. A water level that is too low can create problems with the pump, causing it to run dry or burn up. Water levels that are too high can cause the skimmer door to not work as it should.
Pools lose water through evaporation and use, and this is most apparent in the summer. Simply put a running garden hose into the water for a few minutes every few days to refill the pool. However, make sure you check if there are any local water restrictions so you remain in compliance.
6. Shock the Pool As Needed
Shocking refers to drastically raising the chlorine levels for a short period of time to kill bacteria. It’s done by diluting three to five times the normal amount of chlorine or other chemical sanitizers with water. Then you administer the solution by slowly pouring it into the pool’s return line, letting it filter throughout the pool, and then slowly refilling the pool with water over time.
But don’t be afraid to shock your pool when necessary. If you’re noticing that after heavy use your pool is looing a bit murky, shock is the answer. That’s because that murkiness is bacteria that you’ll want to get rid of as soon as possible. While shocking too often would risk damage to your pool’s siding, you should aim to shock the pool at least twice every season.
7. Hire a Professional
Sometimes when you want to maintain a healthy pool, you need to trust an expert. This is especially true when it comes to your pool’s mechanical equipment. You may lack the proper knowledge to properly care for your pool’s pumps, filters, and heating systems. Even if you are doing a great job maintaining your pool yourself, it’s a good idea to have a professional come out and service your pool once a year.
Ready to Dive into Hassle-Free Pool Care?
A professional can save you money in the long run. At The Pool Butler, we are expertly trained and experienced to detect and fix pool issues. And what is only a small problem now can save you from having to fix a huge crisis later down the road. So while you can do a lot on your own to ensure that your pool is well-maintained, nothing beats a professional pool service.
