Weekly Pool Maintenance Guide
A consistent maintenance routine keeps your pool crystal clear and prevents costly problems. Follow this schedule for a healthy pool.
Sample Weekly Schedule
Monday
15 min• Test chlorine and pH
• Add chemicals as needed
• Skim surface debris
Wednesday
20 min• Test chlorine and pH
• Brush walls and steps
• Check water level
Friday
30 min• Test chlorine and pH
• Vacuum pool
• Clean skimmer basket
Saturday
20 min• Test alkalinity
• Shock pool (evening)
• Clean pump basket
Daily Tasks (5 minutes)
Visual Inspection:
• Check water clarity - should see bottom clearly
• Look for debris on surface
• Check pump is running
• Verify water level is at proper height
Quick Tasks:
• Remove large debris with leaf net
• Empty skimmer basket if full
• Check for leaks around equipment
• Note any unusual sounds or smells
Weekly Tasks (1-2 hours total)
1. Water Testing (2-3 times per week)
Test and adjust chlorine and pH levels. These are the most important parameters to monitor. Test in the evening before adding chemicals for most accurate readings.
2. Skimming and Brushing
Skim surface debris daily if possible, at least 3 times per week. Brush walls, steps, and ladder once per week to prevent algae attachment. Pay special attention to shaded areas and waterline.
3. Vacuuming
Vacuum the pool floor once per week. If you have an automatic cleaner, let it run several hours. Manual vacuuming is more thorough but takes 20-30 minutes.
4. Filter Maintenance
Check filter pressure gauge. Backwash or clean when pressure rises 8-10 psi above normal. For cartridge filters, rinse weekly and deep clean monthly.
5. Shock Treatment
Shock your pool once per week in the evening. This oxidizes contaminants, kills algae spores, and reactivates your chlorine. Use 1-2 lbs of shock per 10,000 gallons for maintenance.
6. Equipment Check
Clean pump strainer basket. Check for proper water flow. Listen for unusual pump sounds. Verify automatic chlorinator has sufficient tablets.
Monthly Tasks
Testing:
• Total alkalinity
• Calcium hardness
• Cyanuric acid (stabilizer)
• TDS (if available)
• Take sample to pool store for full analysis
Equipment:
• Deep clean filter cartridge or DE grids
• Inspect pump lid o-ring
• Check salt cell (if applicable)
• Lubricate o-rings as needed
• Inspect pool cleaner for wear
Seasonal Considerations
Summer (Peak Season):
• Test more frequently (daily if heavy use)
• Shock after pool parties
• Monitor CYA - may need to dilute
• Check water level daily (evaporation)
• Run pump 10-12 hours daily
Winter/Off-Season:
• Reduce pump run time (4-6 hours)
• Test weekly instead of multiple times
• Use winter algaecide
• Keep debris off cover
• Maintain 1-3 ppm chlorine
Spring Opening:
• Remove and clean cover
• Shock heavily (2x normal)
• Test all parameters
• Inspect all equipment
• Run pump 24 hours initially
Fall Closing:
• Balance all chemistry
• Super chlorinate
• Add winterizing chemicals
• Lower water level (if required)
• Blow out lines (freeze areas)
Order of Chemical Addition
When adjusting multiple parameters, follow this order for best results:
Total Alkalinity - Stabilizes pH
pH Level - Affects everything else
Calcium Hardness - Protects surfaces
Stabilizer (CYA) - Protects chlorine
Chlorine - Sanitizes water
Wait at least 4 hours between adding different chemicals. Run the pump continuously while adjusting chemistry.
Common Problems & Quick Fixes
Green Water (Algae)
Shock to 30 ppm chlorine, brush walls, run pump 24/7, clean filter repeatedly until clear.
Cloudy Water
Check filter pressure, shock pool, verify pH is balanced, consider clarifier or flocculent.
Chlorine Smell
Actually means combined chlorine is high. Shock to break up chloramines. Test total vs free chlorine.
Eye/Skin Irritation
Usually pH imbalance, not chlorine. Check and adjust pH to 7.4-7.6. May also indicate high combined chlorine.
Pro Tips for Easy Maintenance
• Set phone reminders for testing days to build the habit
• Keep all supplies organized in a dedicated pool storage area
• Stock up on chemicals at the start of season for best prices
• Consider a robotic cleaner to reduce weekly vacuuming time
• Maintain a log book to track chemical additions and test results