Clean Pool: How Often Should You Clean Your Pool?

While some pools may look clean and inviting, an expert pool cleaner is able to tell when the pool itself is suffering from a poor maintenance schedule.
Your pool may look clean and clear with the addition of chemicals, but this doesn't always make for a healthy swimming environment. To add to this, excessive chemicals deteriorate the finish of your pool and its equipment over time. In short, if your pool does not receive the minerals it needs from the water, it will start taking them from somewhere else!

Many homeowners have the misconception that because their pool is small, it does not require the same amount of maintenance. This is couldn't more inaccurate. The size of your pool does not dictate how long chemicals will last or how often it should be cleaned. The key to a sparkling, healthy pool is to maintain a consistent cleaning schedule.

This helps to maintain the best balance possible in your water- making your pool a healthy, refreshing place to cool off.

While some pool maintenance tasks should be performed weekly, there are a few that only need to be performed seasonally. Let's get into what these are...

It's important to keep your pool pump clean on a consistent basis by keeping an eye on pressure levels. As soon as you notice that the pressure is high - in the 40s and over - you'll need to backwash your pump right away.

Make sure you clean your pool pump twice throughout each season. You should open them up and clean them thoroughly. This is an important task to do regularly, especially when your pool is being used frequently.

The same goes for your pool skimmer. If you have plenty of trees, bushes, and other foliage near your pool, your skimmer should be cleaned daily. If not, you should clean your skimmer once a week, at least.

A great way to tell if you have the best maintenance schedule is by the number of times you need to backwash your pool pump. If your skimmer and plumbing become clogged with debris regularly, you should up your maintenance routine!

Here's what your weekly pool maintenance schedule should consist of -- especially during the spring and summer when your pool is being used the most.

You should regularly test the pool pH level -- it should read between 7.4 and 7.6
If the pH levels are off, adjust them as needed
Test your free available chlorine levels -- these shouldn't exceed 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million
Adjust chlorine levels if they are too high or low
Skim your pool regularly for debris such as leaves, branches, hair, insects
Empty out your skimmer basket on a regular basis

Aside from all of the above tasks, one of the most important is consistent pool vacuuming. This should be done at least once or twice a week, especially in summer. Vacuuming not only helps to balance the pH levels, but helps to keep debris, grime, and algae build-up at bay.

Some other important tasks which should be carried out on a weekly basis include:

Chlorine shock treatment -- essential after large storms, plenty of swimming, and pets in the pool
Shock treatments vary, but the best amount to add is usually one bag of shock treatment to every 10,000 gallons of water
Treat your pool with algae preventative, always use a maintenance-level dose
Regularly clean the tile waterline of your pool to prevent scum and grime collecting in this area
Brush your pool walls on a weekly basis

While these tasks should be performed on a more regular basis, there are some which only require monthly maintenance.

Every month or so, collect a sample of pool water and take it for a water testing service. Here the chemical balance of your pool water can be thoroughly tested.

Every two-three months you should use a filter cleaner and degreaser on your pool filters. This removes any accumulation of oil and grease over time.

Another recommended task is to dose your pool with a flock or metal remover. Allow the dose to sit in your pool water for two-three days, them thoroughly vacuum the pool.

Ultimately, two of the most important maintenance steps for a clean pool include regular vacuuming and cleaning out your filters.

Other than this, keep a close eye on your pool, year-round. Just because you don't use it in winter , does not mean it should be neglected. You can avoid the headache of bringing a green pool back-to-life with these simple yet effective maintenance steps.

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