Maintaining Your Pool: A Comprehensive Guide by Elite Pool Builders

Twice a Week:

1. Ensuring Water Balance

• Regularly assess and maintain your pool water’s chemical balance using a test kit.
• Keep pH levels within the optimal range of 7.4 – 7.6.
• Maintain the free available chlorine level between 1.0 – 3.0 ppm.
• Don’t forget to empty the skimmer basket and remove leaves, insects, and debris from the pool surface.

Once a Week:

2. Thorough Cleaning

• Brush the pool walls and use a pool vacuum for floor cleaning.
• Clean tile at the waterline using a suitable tile cleaner.
• Consider investing in an automatic pool cleaner for convenient daily cleaning.
• Shock the pool by adding the recommended product amount from your pool professional.
• Additional shock treatments may be necessary after heavy rain, high bather loads, or extremely hot weather.

Monthly:

3. Professional Water Testing

• Monthly, take a water sample to a professional Water Testing Service for a complete analysis of swimming pool chemicals.

Plus…

4. Filter Maintenance (Twice a Year):

• Ensure optimal filtration by cleaning your pool filter with a filter cleaner.
• Remove any accumulated oils and grease that may affect filter performance.

5. Post-Rain or Windy Days:

• Always test your pool water after rainy or windy weather to maintain its quality.

Regular Pool Cleaning Tips:

• Skim off leaves and larger debris daily to prevent contamination.
• Use a long-handled skimmer for efficient removal of debris.
• Covers can be a great aid in keeping waste out of your pool.
• Brush the sediment from the sides and floor of the pool weekly.
• Direct it toward the main drain for efficient removal by the filter system.
• Alternatively, use an automatic pool cleaner for hassle-free dirt removal.
• Clean skimmers daily to prevent larger debris from obstructing them.
• Ensure the water level remains about halfway up the skimmer.
• After rainfall or similar events, reduce the water level if necessary.
• Operate your pool’s pump daily to maximize chemical effectiveness and safety.
• Follow the manufacturer’s pump usage instructions meticulously.
• Weekly, inspect and clean the pool filter to remove any debris.
• Backwash it occasionally to eliminate accumulated grit.
• Most pools use sand, cartridge, or vertical grid filters for water cleaning.
• Just like the pump, follow the manufacturer’s directions when cleaning filters.
• Regularly test your pool water to measure chemical levels.
• Some chemicals require daily use, while others are applied weekly.
• Administer shock treatments as needed to maintain chemical balance.

Determining Cleaning Frequency:

• The frequency of pool cleaning depends on various factors, including the type of pool.
• While it should always be safe for swimming, outdoor pools typically require more frequent cleaning due to exposure to dirt and debris.

Pool Maintenance by Elite Pool Builders

Bi-Weekly Maintenance:

1. Optimal Water Balance

• Routinely monitor and adjust your pool water’s chemistry using a test kit.
• Maintain the pH levels between 7.4 – 7.6.
• Ensure that free available chlorine levels are within the range of 1.0 – 3.0 ppm.
• Keep your pool pristine by regularly emptying the skimmer basket and removing any floating leaves, insects, or debris.

Weekly Maintenance:

2. Thorough Cleaning

• Devote time to brushing the pool walls and using a pool vacuum for comprehensive floor cleaning.
• Eliminate any residue along the tile waterline using a suitable tile cleaner.
• Consider upgrading to an automatic pool cleaner for effortless daily upkeep.
• When necessary, administer a shock treatment as recommended by your pool professional.
• After rainstorms, periods of heavy use, or exceptionally hot weather, additional shock treatments may be required.

Monthly Maintenance:

3. Professional Water Testing

• On a monthly basis, entrust a professional Water Testing Service with a comprehensive analysis of your swimming pool’s chemical composition.

Plus…

4. Bi-Annual Filter Maintenance:

• Preserve the effectiveness of your pool’s filtration system by cleaning the filter with a specialized filter cleaner.
• Eliminate any accumulated oils and grease that may have collected on the filter.

5. Post-Inclement Weather Checks:

• Always assess your pool water after rainy or windy conditions to maintain its quality.

Proactive Pool Cleaning Techniques:

• Daily skimming is essential to prevent contamination. A long-handled skimmer is ideal for efficiently removing leaves, insects, and debris.
• Invest in pool covers to minimize waste entering your pool and reduce the need for skimming.
• Weekly brushing of the pool’s sides and floor directs sediment towards the main drain, facilitating removal by the filter system.
• Alternatively, automate the process with an automatic pool cleaner, simplifying dirt removal.
• Regularly clean skimmers to prevent larger debris from obstructing them. Maintain the water level at approximately halfway up the skimmer.
• Following rain or similar events, adjust the water level as needed.
• Maximize chemical effectiveness and pool safety by running your pool’s pump daily, adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Weekly filter inspections and occasional backwashing to eliminate built-up grit are essential. Pool filters come in various types, including sand, cartridge, or vertical grid filters.
• For chemical balance, perform regular pool water tests. Some chemicals require daily use, while others have weekly applications. Apply shock treatments as necessary to maintain optimal chemical levels.