From being a healthy way to cool off in the summer heat to offering low-impact cardiovascular workouts, pool ownership has myriad benefits.
But to own a pool means regular upkeep, and that involves both weekly and monthly maintenance. And it’s far better to keep a regular maintenance schedule than to have to spend a lot of money on getting your pool up and running again after long periods of neglect.
So what does weekly and monthly pool maintenance look like? We’ve put together this short primer on regular pool care—let’s dive in! (Sorry. We couldn’t resist!)
Weekly Pool Maintenance
Three main things to keep in mind for weekly care are cleaning, equipment maintenance and chemical management. And performing weekly maintenance ultimately means cost savings as you may catch small problems early before they become big ones.
Removing Leaves and Other Debris
At a minimum, you should skim your water using a pool pole once a week (and even more if you live in a region with regular high winds that can throw debris into your pool).
Not only does this make for a nicer swim, but it also increases the lifespan of your filter.
Cleaning Pool Walls and Surfaces
Algae buildup, tile damage and leaks are just some of the problems you may encounter if you don’t regularly scrub and clean exposed pool walls and surfaces.
Some owners opt to use a robotic pool cleaner while others like the convenience and peace of mind of a more robust, comprehensive cleaning that a professional pool company can offer.
Either way, be diligent about removing dirt, algae and grime regularly to prevent them from building up and causing big problems.
Pump and Filter Maintenance
At the heart of a pool’s health is its filter system, which is why it’s so important to check the pump and filter regularly.
Be sure to find out whether your filter cartridge needs to be replaced, and inspect the overall pressure to determine if backwashing is necessary to improve it.
Keep an eye on the water levels. If they’re too low, it puts additional strain on the pump, and if they’re too high, you may have a problem keeping your water chemically balanced.
Chemical Management
Pool water analysis is hugely important if you want to keep your pool (and you!) healthy.
You should test your pH levels each week and adjust as necessary to keep it in a safe range. However, be advised that adding too many pH altering chemicals to the water makes it tough to get accurate test results and makes it more difficult to achieve the proper balance.
Chlorine being the most common way to sanitize a pool, aim for a balance of one to three parts per million to make the levels safe for swimmers’ eyes and skin.
If you prefer to automate this whole process it’s worth considering a Smart Skimmer, which monitors the water’s quality and chemical levels. With a free app, you can easily access data that you’d otherwise need to routinely collect by hand.
Monthly Pool Maintenance
Make time each month to carefully inspect the perimeter of your pool for any signs of leakage or damage. Remember, an ounce of prevention here can save a whole lot of cash.
As part of your monthly to-do list, add checking your vinyl liner for any tears, holes or irregularities. While small tears may be patched easily with a kit, larger tears can be more troublesome, and patching becomes a less reliable solution. If you notice tears that are over two inches long, it’s probably time to call in the professionals.
It’s also a good idea to test for total dissolved solids (TDS) each month with the goal being under 1,500 ppm.
Be sure to double-check seals in the pool’s motor and pump to make sure they haven’t been compromised.
Finally, inspect the pool’s safety equipment and features like stairs and railings to make sure they’re still in good condition.
Eliminating Worry and Hassle
One of the biggest pain points of owning a pool is the maintenance required to fully appreciate its benefits. Spartan offers weekly and monthly pool cleaning services so that you can spend more time enjoying your pool and less time cleaning and maintaining it.
From pump repairs to weekly chemical analysis, Spartan takes the worry and hassle away. Contact us today to get started on a regular maintenance plan!
