Most pool issues don’t start as major problems. They build gradually, often from small things being missed in day-to-day maintenance.
New pool owners are particularly vulnerable to mistakes, as they may not have developed an optimal maintenance routine and do not always have a keen eye for common complications.
Developing a weekly pool maintenance routine is a necessity for new and experienced pool owners alike. A simple, consistent routine keeps your pool clean, balanced, and ready to use without unnecessary effort.
Daily Pool Tasks
Owning a pool is a responsibility, and certain tasks do need to be performed every day to ensure hygienic conditions. Most daily pool maintenance tasks are very simple in nature but go a long way in nurturing ideal conditions. A few simple checks each day help keep your pool clean and balanced:
- Run your filter. Depending on the type of filter and size of your pool, a typical filter cycle takes 8-12 hours to complete. Doing this not only removes contaminants from the water but helps distribute chemicals like chlorine evenly.
- Examine your water. Take note of any natural or artificial debris that may have entered your pool, or cloudy/miscolored water. Ideally, there should be nothing more than crystal-clear water in your pool.
- Skim your pool. Use a skimmer or other net to pick up large debris, such as leaves, twigs, bugs, or any other large, unwanted material. They may not seem large, but such items can clog your filter and promote algae/bacterial growth.
- Consider a pool cover. Use a pool cover whenever the pool is not in use. Automatic covers make this quick and consistent, helping reduce debris and maintain water quality.
2-4 Times A Week
Certain pool maintenance tasks do not have to be performed every day but require frequent attention. Placing them into the “weekly” category would not be the optimal move. Instead, aim to do the following roughly 2-4 times per week:
- Check your strainer baskets. Strainer baskets are the last line of defense for large debris before water enters the filter. Accumulation of items like leaves or twigs can block out your filter, and cracks in the baskets can suck larger debris in.
- Brush your pool walls. Giving the walls, stairs, and ladders of your pool a scrub dislodges algae or any other substances stuck to the surface. This makes it easier for your filtration system to remove them.
- Vacuum the pool floor. After cleaning the walls, use a pool vacuum to suck up dirt and other small, unwanted particles off the pool floor.
- Check the water level. The ideal pool water level sits about half the level of the skimmer baskets. This is the easiest and most effective level for filtration. If the levels are too high or low, add or drain more water.
- Test chemical levels. Use a water test kit to determine pH, alkalinity, chlorine, and bromine levels. If any of these are too low, add the necessary chemicals. If chemicals are too high, certain materials can bring them down.
Weekly Pool Tasks
Aim to take care of the following once a week. These do not need attention daily, but are important, routine parts of weekly pool maintenance.
- Clean your filter. If you have a sand or D.E. filter, consider a backwash if it seems necessary. If you have a cartridge filter, take the cartridge and hose it off.
- Check pool jets. If your pool jets don’t seem to be returning much water, that is a sign your filter may be clogged or soon to expire. Make sure they are also angled at 45° for optimal efficiency and function.
- Check your pressure gauge. If the filter pump is off, the pressure gauge should read 0 psi. Your pressure gauge should be replaced if it reads anything different. If the pump is on, 8-15 psi is a proper baseline; anything higher means your sand or D.E. filter needs a backwash, or your cartridge filter needs a hose wash.
- Shock your pool overnight, or on a day when nobody intends to swim. A weekly shock helps kill algae and bacteria and oxidizes the chlorine in the pool.
Common New Pool Owner Mistakes
Skipping or forgetting routine cleans, water checks, or examinations are a common mistake new pool owners make. Many new pool owners do not yet understand how quickly dirt, bacteria, and algae can build up in their pools. Without that daily skin or biweekly wall scrub, preventable natural debris can multiply and leave families with cloudy or green water.
Neglecting or simply not understanding the pool filter system is another mistake new pool owners make. Your filter exists to suction and block toxic dirt and grime from the water. If it gets jammed or stops working, there is not much preventing your pool from quickly becoming difficult to manage.
Sand and D.E. filters can create a false sense of security. Because they need to be cleaned less frequently and last longer to cartridge filters, this can lead to pool owners neglecting or forgetting about them.
Not keeping water chemicals in balance can result in problems as well. Chlorine is a necessary part of pool ownership; too little chlorine results in bacterial and algae growth. Too much Chlorine, however, irritates skin and has a strong chemical smell. 1-3 ppm is the optimal level; it keeps your pool bacteria-free without unpleasant smells or skin irritation.
Improper pH and Alkalinity can have similar unpleasant effects. The optimal pH is between 7.2 to 7.6, a balanced number. Low pH causes damage and erosion to pool surfaces, while higher pH makes water harder and cloudier. pH plays a role not only in how comfortable your pool water is, but also how effectively chlorine does its job.
All these mistakes are easily avoided through a proper maintenance routine. Daily, biweekly, and weekly cleans ensure your pool runs properly, and save your household confusion about why your water has a green tint.
Kickstart Your Pool with Shoreline Pools
Shoreline Pools has worked with new pool owners for decades, helping them avoid common maintenance issues and keep their pools running properly from the start. A well-managed pool should feel easy to maintain and ready to enjoy, not something that constantly needs fixing.
If you’re looking to simplify pool ownership, call Shoreline Pools at (203) 967-1203 to speak with the team.
