How to Maintain a Clean Pool: 10 Key Maintenance Tips

Keeping your pool water crystal clear is easier than you think. While each pool has its own needs, with time and attention, you'll learn how to clean a pool effectively.

All pools have one thing in common: regular and consistent maintenance is the key to their health and longevity.

If you opt to handle common issues like cloudy water or broken pumps yourself, always refer to the manufacturer's manual before attempting repairs or using equipment. Even if you hire a service company, there are still tasks you'll need to take care of to keep your pool in prime condition for years to come.

10: Remove Debris and Empty Baskets

Skimming the pool's surface every few days is one of the quickest and easiest ways to maintain a clean pool. Floating debris will eventually settle at the bottom, becoming harder to remove. Use a long-handled net, like a hand skimmer or leaf skimmer, to scoop out leaves, insects, and other debris.

Skimming the surface helps improve the pool's circulation system, reducing the amount of chlorine needed. Cleaning the strainer baskets at least weekly also promotes circulation and cuts down on chlorine usage.

Find the strainer baskets located on the sides of aboveground pools or in the pool deck of inground pools. Simply remove the plastic basket, shake it out, and spray the inside with a hose to loosen any stubborn debris.

9: Clean the Pool by Vacuuming and Scrubbing Walls and Tiles

Your pool should be vacuumed weekly to keep the water clean and reduce the need for extra chemicals. Pool vacuums come in various types. If you're using a manual model, move it back and forth across the pool's surface like you would when vacuuming a carpet. Make sure to overlap each pass slightly. Always check and clean the filter after every vacuuming session.

Vacuuming is just one part of the weekly maintenance. Brushing the pool walls and tiles also helps control algae growth and prevent calcium build-up, ensuring these issues don't develop into bigger problems. The type of material your pool walls are made from will influence the cleaning tools you'll need to use.

Use a stiff brush for plaster-lined concrete pools and a gentler brush for vinyl or fiberglass walls. For tiles, a soft brush is best to avoid damaging the grout. You can also use a pumice stone, putty knife, or a mixture of water and muriatic acid for stubborn spots.

8: Maintain the Pool Filter

There are three main types of pool filters: cartridge, sand, and diatomaceous earth. Each type has its own maintenance needs, but all of them require occasional cleaning based on the filter type and the frequency of pool use.

Cleaning the filter more often than necessary can actually reduce its effectiveness. A slightly dirty filter works better than a completely clean one, as the dirt helps trap additional particles, improving the filtration process.

That said, you don’t want the filter to get too clogged. A good indicator that it's time to clean the filter is a noticeable increase in pressure between the pressure gauge and flow meter. Clean the filter when the pressure difference reaches 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kilograms) per square inch.

7: Get Professional Heater Maintenance

Pool heaters usually require the least upkeep compared to other pool equipment. Gas heaters can operate efficiently without maintenance for a couple of years, and electric heaters can last even longer without service.

Refer to your manufacturer’s manual for specific maintenance guidelines. Occasionally, calcium deposits can accumulate inside a heater’s tubes, restricting water flow and preventing the heater from working effectively.

If calcium build-up occurs, it’s best to call a professional. The heater may need disassembly, and the tubes cleaned with a wire brush or acid. Professional service can cost upwards of $100 or more per month, depending on the pool's maintenance needs.

6: Monitor and Adjust Water Levels

Throughout the swimming season, water levels drop due to evaporation and regular pool activities such as swimming, splashing, and exiting the pool. When removing debris with your skimmer during the week, it’s a good opportunity to check the water level. Make sure it doesn’t drop below the skimmer’s level, as this could damage the pump. If necessary, use a garden hose to replenish the water to safe levels.

If you drain your pool for maintenance or at the end of the swimming season, avoid leaving it empty for too long. It’s generally recommended to leave some water in the pool during winter, as the weight of the water counterbalances the forces from the ground pressing upward against the pool.

5: Keep the pH Level in Check

It’s important to regularly test your pool water to ensure it stays clean and safe. The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water, ranging from 0 to 14. The ideal pH level for pool water is between 7.2 and 7.8, which is safe for swimmers and helps sanitizers work effectively.

You can monitor your pool's pH level using a testing kit. Many types of kits are available, with most homeowner versions being either reagent kits or test strips. Reagent kits are simple to use—just take a sample of the pool water, add a liquid or tablet, and the water will change color, indicating its chemical balance.

Test strips function in a different way. After you dip them in the pool for a few seconds, the dyes inside them trigger a color change. Then, compare the strip to a color chart to determine your pool's pH level. This will help you understand the type and amount of chemicals your pool requires.

4: Shock the Pool Water

Over time, organic materials such as ammonia and nitrogen accumulate in your pool. If these contaminants build up in large quantities, they can combine with chlorine, forming chloramines, which are responsible for the sharp chlorine smell we often associate with swimming pools.

To eliminate this strong odor, you need to superchlorinate—or shock—the water to restore the chlorine levels. While it may seem counterproductive, adding a large dose of chlorine helps to clear out the unpleasant smell.

Some pools require shocking once a week, while others can go much longer without it. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations before superchlorinating to achieve the best results.

3: Detect and Fix Leaks

It can be tricky to tell if your pool's water levels are low due to evaporation or a possible leak. A simple bucket test can help you determine if there's a leak. Fill a plastic bucket about three-quarters full with water.

Mark the water level inside the bucket. Then, place the bucket in the pool and mark the water level on the outside of the bucket. (If the bucket has a handle, remove it to ensure better stability while floating.) Let the bucket sit for two to three days.

If both the water inside and outside the bucket drop by the same amount, then it's just evaporation causing the drop. However, if the water level in the pool drops more than the water inside the bucket, then you've got a leak, and it's time to contact a professional for repairs.

2: Winterize Your Pool

Whether or not you need to winterize your pool depends on your location. If you live in an area where temperatures fall below freezing, you’ll need to take specific precautions to protect your pool during the colder months.

Water left in pool pipes can freeze and cause significant damage. To avoid this, use an air compressor to blow out the water from your pool's plumbing once the swimming season ends.

Additionally, drain as much water as possible from the filter and heater. Any remaining water can be removed with non-toxic antifreeze (not the kind used for vehicles). Be sure to disconnect the heater, pump, and chemical feeders, cleaning and storing them properly.

Next, give your pool a thorough cleaning: skim the surface, brush the walls, vacuum the bottom, empty the skimmer baskets, close the skimmer line valve, and lower the water level to about 18 inches (45 centimeters) below the coping. Superchlorinate the water, and finally, cover the pool to keep debris out during the winter months.

1: Open Your Pool for Swimming Season

If the pool has been properly winterized, it should be a breeze to get it ready for the season. Before removing the cover, clean the area around the pool. Sweep or hose off any debris to avoid it falling into the water.

Then, use a garden hose to refill the pool to its usual water level. Reconnect all the equipment that was disconnected for winterization. Open the skimmer line valve to allow water to flow through the circulation system, and check the pH level. Once everything looks good, shock the pool.

It will take several days to a week for the pool to stabilize and become swim-ready. Keep the pump running continuously, reducing the operating time by one or two hours each day until the water reaches the right balance.