Pool Maintenance 101: How to Keep Your Pool Clean, Clear & Ready to Dive In

Owning a pool is fantastic — until the water turns cloudy, the chlorine disappears, or algae shows up uninvited. But here’s the good news: with just a few simple steps each week, you can keep your pool sparkling clean and always ready for fun.

Whether you’re a first-time pool owner or want a quick refresher, here’s your go-to guide for **routine pool maintenance** done right.


 🧽 1. Skim, Brush & Vacuum (2–3x Per Week)

Leaves, bugs, and debris don’t just look bad — they feed algae and mess with your water chemistry.

Skim the surface daily or every other day
Brush the pool walls and steps to remove buildup
Vacuum the pool floor at least once a week (manual or automatic)

💡 *Tip:* Don’t forget to clean out your skimmer and pump baskets too!


 🧪 2. Test & Balance Your Water (2x Per Week)

Water chemistry is key to a healthy, safe pool. Testing your water regularly helps prevent algae, cloudy water, and irritation.

Test and adjust:

• Chlorine: 1–3 ppm
• pH: 7.2–7.6
• Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
• Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm

• Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer): 30–50 ppm for chlorine pools

Use test strips, a liquid test kit, or bring a sample to your local pool store.

🧴 Need to adjust?

• Low chlorine = add sanitizer or shock
• Low pH = add soda ash
• High pH = add pH reducer (muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate)
• Low alkalinity = add baking soda
• High phosphates = use a phosphate remover

🚿 3. Shock Your Pool Weekly

Shocking (also known as superchlorinating) kills bacteria, breaks down organic matter, and restores your chlorine levels.

• Shock once a week — or more after heavy use, storms, or algae
• Always shock in the evening or at night to prevent sunlight burnoff
• Let your filter run for 8+ hours afterward

  🔁 4. Run the Pump & Filter Daily

Your pool’s circulation system is its best defense against dirty, cloudy, or green water.

• Run your pump at least 8–12 hours per day   during summer
• Backwash sand or DE filters   when the pressure rises 8–10 psi above normal
• Clean cartridge filters   every 4–6 weeks (or as needed)

💡 A clean filter = cleaner, clearer water.

🌧️ 5. After Rain, Parties, or Windy Days…

Heavy rain and wind bring in pollen, debris, and phosphates — and big parties bring in everything else.

After those events:

• Skim and vacuum
• Test and adjust water chemistry
• Shock the pool if the chlorine is low
• Check and clean the filter
  

🧼 6. Don’t Forget the “Invisible Stuff”

Some pool issues don’t show up until it’s too late — like scale buildup, metal staining, or algae spores. Preventive maintenance goes a long way.

Consider adding:

• Algaecide weekly for prevention
• Clarifier to improve water sparkle
• Enzymes to break down oils and lotions
• Stain & scale control   for hard water areas

🔧 7. Monthly: Do a Deep Dive Check

Once a month, take a few extra minutes to:

• Inspect your filter, pump, and skimmer for wear
• Check for leaks or cracks
• Inspect the waterline for scale or buildup
• Test for phosphates and metals (especially if you’re on well water)