Keeping Up With Pool Maintenance

Posted by Lauren Johnson on Monday, March 18th, 2024 at 7:15pm.

It's almost summer, so bring on the sunshine! With warmer weather approaching, it's time to uncover those pools. Whether you currently own a pool or are looking to purchase a home with one, we've got some tips for prepping and maintaining your own private oasis.

Opening Your Pool

Algae grows faster when temps are higher than 65, so don't wait too long to open your pool.
Pool water should be fully drained and replaced every two to three years to avoid a build-up of algae and to extend the life of your investment.
If you notice there's standing water on your cover, be sure to use a sump pump to drain it. This will help you avoid damaging the cover and will prevent too much of the excess from leaking into your pool water.
It's also helpful to clean up any landscaping around the pool area before taking the cover off, that way you're not dealing with immediate leaves or other debris getting into your soon-to-be fresh pool. (Work smarter, not harder!)
Make sure to clean and store your cover in a dry place to make things a lot easier when it's time to winterize.
Before you start to treat the water, make sure you clean any metal fixtures first to prevent the metal from staining.

Tips for Cleaning

The water level should be filled to the middle of the skimmer opening to ensure correct filtering. (You can speed up this process by putting your water hose under a section of the cover, filling the pool while waiting for the cover to drain.)
If your pool looks green with a lot of debris, make sure you're running the filter 24/7, at least at the beginning. This will help circulate the water and get some of the gunk out.
Before testing your water, scoop out everything you can possibly see, let the pool sit overnight, and then vacuum any additional debris that has settled on the bottom. This will also circulate the water so that you get a full picture of the pool levels when testing, not just the top layer.

Keep That Water Sparkling

Make sure to be diligent in testing, treating, and checking filters every week. Otherwise, you can expect to do a lot more work trying to reverse the mess.
Don't forget to brush! Your pool, that is. Pool steps and interior walls often get overlooked while vacuuming, and brushing them helps slow algae growth.
Toss in a tennis ball! Old tennis balls can act as a sort of "dryer ball" for your pool by absorbing oils, like sunscreen, that can unbalance water levels.
Invest in a summertime pool cover. There are tons of options for easy covers (automatic or not) that can be used to protect your pool from debris while not in use. This is especially handy if you know you'll be out of town for an extended amount of time.
Don't be afraid to ask for help! Keep things stress-free by enlisting the help of a local pool professional.

Utilize these tips and you'll be floating with a cool drink in no time. Just make sure to invite us!