Learn what weekly pool maintenance chores will keep your pool operating all season long. Prioritize these tasks, and you’ll cut down on expensive maintenance.
Weekly pool maintenance is a necessary part of owning a pool, allowing you to enjoy your pool regularly without the need for frequent, expensive repairs. Weekly maintenance reduces your risk of things breaking and ensures you have the best chance of enjoying your pool without worry. It reduces wear and tear on your equipment, prevents issues like algae growth, and helps you keep chemicals in balance before problems arise.
But what tasks are needed on a weekly basis to extend the life of your pool and keep swimming as hassle-free as possible?
Here are some tips for what you need to do every week to make the most of having a pool.
Why Is Weekly Maintenance Important?
Before we get to the specific tasks to include on your weekly to-do list, it’s important to first know why you’re investing time and effort on a weekly basis.
Not keeping up with maintenance puts your pool at risk. Debris taxes your filter, and imbalances in water chemistry can lead to faster bacterial and algal growth. Weekly tasks are an investment of time, but they save you time and money over the long haul by helping your pool equipment work as efficiently as possible.
Weekly Pool Maintenance Checklist
So, what should you include on your weekly list of pool maintenance tasks?
1. Test and Balance Water Chemistry
Testing the pH, chlorine level, and alkalinity of your pool water ensures that everything is in balance. This cuts down on algae growth and prevents injury and skin irritation from oversaturation of chemicals. It also keeps the water clear and inviting.
Adding a stabilizer helps your chlorine last longer in the sun, keeping your pool consistently sanitized throughout the week.
We like the Pool Pure Chlorine Stabilizer Pucks (SKU: 47030P15PP) for an easy and convenient way to keep your chlorine levels balanced. These pre-measured 3-inch tablets sanitize pool water by destroying bacteria and algae. The stabilized formula resists ultraviolet rays, providing longer-lasting protection.
2. Skim and Remove Debris
Skimming the pool surface and removing any debris is one of the easiest and most impactful things you can do to keep your pool functioning as it should. Skimming removes bugs, pollen, leaves, and other things that can clog the pool’s filtration system. This not only keeps the water clean, but it also reduces wear and tear on your pool’s filtration system.
3. Brush Walls, Steps, and Tile Lines
Brushing the walls and the nooks and crannies in your pool helps loosen any algae and prevents a significant buildup of dirt. It also lessens the load on your pool vacuum and enables the vacuum to do a thorough job because the surface dirt has been brushed away.
4. Vacuum and Deep Clean the Floor
Vacuuming might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider pool maintenance, but it’s actually one of the most effective things you can do to keep your pool clean and clear. If you’d rather not manually vacuum your pool, there are automatic vacuums that make the process as efficient and “hands-off” as possible.
One of our favourite vacuums is the Hayward AquaVac QC Robotic Pool Cleaner (RC9730CTB). This robotic cleaner is equipped with intelligent microprocessor-based technology, ensuring that every area of your pool gets much cleaner during its fast 90-minute Quick Clean cycle.
5. Empty Skimmer and Pump Baskets
Emptying the skimmer and pump baskets each week keeps water flowing smoothly and prevents unnecessary strain on your filtration system. If you do this before brushing and vacuuming, the system can efficiently collect the debris you loosen during cleaning.
6. Monitor Water Level
Monitoring your pool’s water level keeps your pump operating as it should and prevents other equipment issues due to water levels that are too high or too low.
Additional Tips
In combination with what’s listed above, here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
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Run the pump long enough to ensure that the chemicals you’ve added properly disperse throughout the water.
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Retest the chemical balance after heavy rains and storms, which can change your pool’s chemistry.
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Create a consistent weekly routine so it’s easier to remember what you’ve done and when you’ve done it, so none of the tasks fall by the wayside.
Get the Support You Need to Keep Your Pool Functioning
Weekly maintenance on your pool might seem like a lot, but it actually saves you time (and money!) in the long run.
Need assistance with your weekly maintenance routine? Our experts are ready to help you choose the tools and supplies that make weekly pool care easier and more effective so that you can enjoy a clean, worry-free pool all season long.