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A Guide to Servicing Your Swimming Pool at the Right Intervals

Chad Maag • Jun 17, 2024

You may have dreamed about the day you’d have your very own swimming pool, and finally the day arrived when it was fully installed and ready to be used. I love seeing my clients’ excitement about being able to jump into their own long-awaited pools! Sometimes, however, people are unsure about swimming pool maintenance.

In this article, I’d like to address how to keep your swimming pool looking and functioning its best. We’ll go over:

Daily pool maintenance
Weekly pool maintenance
Monthly pool maintenance
Seasonal pool maintenance
Professional pool maintenance

At Green Ideas, we specialize in installing gorgeous, high quality fiberglass inground swimming pools. We can also provide comprehensive pool maintenance services. Our business has been locally owned and operated for nearly three decades, and we are your go-to pool company if you’re looking for excellent service and top customer satisfaction.

Let’s talk about what you need to know about keeping your pool maintained. Keep reading to learn all about it.

Daily Pool Maintenance

Doing just a bit of work every day will help keep your pool in top condition. In order to make sure it’s safe and clean on a daily basis, here are some of the tasks you’ll need to do:

Skimming the surface: Use a pool skimmer to remove leaves, insects, and other debris from the surface of the water. If left unchecked, these small pieces of nature can get clogged in your filtration system or cause algae to build up.
Emptying baskets: Check and empty the skimmer and pump baskets each day. This will ensure that the water is circulating and being filtered properly.
Checking water levels: Ensure the water level is at the proper height, typically halfway up the skimmer opening. Watch the weather reports; during dry seasons, you might need to add hose water to your pool.
Testing water chemistry: Use test strips or a test kit to check the water’s pH, chlorine, and alkalinity levels. Adjust as needed to maintain your family’s safety.

Some of the benefits of daily maintenance are:

Preventing debris buildup: Regularly removing debris keeps the pool clean and prevents larger maintenance problems down the road. It’s also more pleasant for everyone to swim in a clean pool.
Maintaining water clarity: Consistent checks and adjustments of water chemistry ensure crystal clear water. This keeps algae from forming and, again, makes it nicer to swim in.
Enhancing safety: A well-maintained pool reduces the risk of slipping on algae and prevents harmful bacteria growth that could cause eye irritation, skin infections, or other issues.
Prolonging equipment life: Keeping the pool clean and the equipment in good working order extends the lifespan of the pool system components.

Tips for implementation:

Set a routine: Dedicate a specific time each day for pool maintenance. Early morning or late evening can be ideal times. Don’t add chemicals right before anyone swims; the water needs some time to circulate the additions.
Use the right tools: Invest in quality skimmers, brushes, and testing kits to make maintenance easier.
Keep supplies handy: Store all necessary chemicals and tools in a designated location near the pool. They should be easy for you to access but impossible for children or pets to get into.
Stay organized: Keep a log of your daily checks and adjustments. This helps track trends as far as water chemistry goes and can help you troubleshoot issues.

Weekly Pool Maintenance

Each week, you’ll want to do a few more tasks to make sure your pool is in good shape.

Vacuuming the pool: Use a pool vacuum to clean the pool floor and walls – removing any dirt or debris that has settled.
Brushing the walls: Brush the pool walls, steps, and tile line to prevent algae buildup and keep the surfaces clean and slip-free.
Checking water chemistry: Conduct a more thorough water test than you do on a daily basis. You’ll need to check levels of chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and stabilizer. Adjust chemicals as needed to ensure balanced water chemistry, and remember to add the results to your log.
Cleaning the filter: Backwash or clean the pool filter to ensure it isn’t clogged and that it’s running correctly. You can find information on this on The Spruce.
Inspecting equipment: Check the pool pump, filter, heater, and other equipment for any potential issues. Check that everything is running as expected and that nothing is leaking or making strange sounds.

Some of the benefits of weekly maintenance are:

Balanced water chemistry: Regular testing and chemical adjustments prevent cloudy water, algae growth, and respiratory or skin irritation.
Extended equipment lifespan: Regular inspection and cleaning of equipment help to prevent issues. You’ll also catch problems before they become out of hand.
Improved water quality: The water will be cleaner, healthier, and more appealing to swim in when the pool is kept clean and the water has the proper chemical balances.
Reduced long-term costs: Preventative maintenance can reduce the chances of needing costly repairs in the future.

Tips for implementation:

Schedule a specific day: Choose a consistent day each week for your pool maintenance routine – making it easier to remember and maintain. Many of my clients choose the weekend, but any day you’re available will work.
Invest in quality equipment: High-quality pool vacuums, brushes, and testing kits can make the job easier.
Follow instructions carefully: When adding chemicals, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid adding too much or too little to the water.
Seek professional services as needed: If you are noticing problems or aren’t sure how to proceed with any of the weekly tasks, give us a call for professional pool services.

Monthly Pool Maintenance

Monthly maintenance involves deeper cleaning and comprehensive inspections. You will be doing the same water chemistry testing and equipment inspections that you do each week, but you’ll also do a few more essential tasks:

Deep cleaning: Perform a thorough cleaning of the pool, including vacuuming and brushing all surfaces to remove any stubborn dirt, algae, and calcium deposits.
Filter maintenance: Conduct a detailed cleaning of your pool filter. This might involve backwashing or manually cleaning the filter elements.
Lubricating O-rings: Check and lubricate O-rings on the pump and filter to prevent leaks.
Checking for leaks: Inspect the pool area for any signs of water loss that could indicate leaks. This includes the pool surface, plumbing, and equipment connections. If the water level is dropping and it seems unrelated to the weather, you may have a leak that needs to be detected.

Benefits of monthly swimming pool maintenance

Early detection of issues: Regular inspections help identify potential problems before they become major repairs – saving you both time and money.
Improved pool efficiency: Keeping the filter and equipment in top condition keeps your pool running more efficiently.
Enhanced water quality: Deep cleaning and regular chemical testing keep the water clean and safe for swimming.
Extended equipment lifespan: Regular maintenance reduces wear and tear on your equipment – helping it to last longer.

Tips for implementation

Set a reminder: Schedule monthly maintenance on your phone’s calendar. It’s easy to forget a monthly maintenance obligation, so a notification will help.
Use a checklist: Create a detailed checklist to ensure nothing is missed.
Keep spare parts handy: Keeping some spare parts, such as O-rings and filter elements, on hand will allow you to address concerns right away.
Get professional assistance: Consider having a professional pool technician conduct an inspection to catch any issues you might miss.

Seasonal Pool Maintenance

The tasks you do throughout the year will keep your pool in tip-top shape. Here are some of the seasonal tasks you’ll be doing:

Spring/Summer: Opening the Pool

Removing the cover: Carefully remove and clean the pool cover – allowing it to dry before storing it.
Refilling and cleaning: Refill the pool to the appropriate level, remove any debris, and perform a thorough cleaning.
Replacing accessories: Reinstall the accessories removed during winterization, such as ladders, diving boards, and skimmer baskets.
Testing and balancing water: Conduct a comprehensive water test and balance chemicals – focusing on pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels.
Inspecting for damage: Check for any damage that may have occurred during the off-season and make necessary repairs.

Fall: Closing the Pool

Deep cleaning: Clean the pool thoroughly, including vacuuming, brushing, and removing all debris.
Lowering the water level: Reduce the water level to below the skimmer and return jets to prevent damage from freezing during the winter.
Draining and storing equipment: Drain water from pumps, filters, heaters, and other equipment. Store them in your basement, crawl space, or somewhere else where they’ll be protected.
Adding winterizing chemicals: Add winterizing chemicals, such as algaecides and chlorine. Ask us for our recommendation if you aren’t sure.
Covering the pool: Securely cover the pool with a winter cover to keep falling leaves, twigs, and other debris out.

Benefits of seasonal maintenance:

Protects the pool during the winter: Proper winterization prevents damage from freezing temperature – saving on costly repairs. It will also keep a lot of debris out of your water – making for an easier spring or summer opening.
Ensures smooth seasonal transitions: Thorough opening and closing procedures make the pool ready for use in the summer and secure during the winter.
Extending pool lifespan: Regular seasonal care helps maintain the pool's functionality over the years.

Tips for implementation

Plan ahead: Start preparing for seasonal maintenance a few weeks in advance, so you can have all of your supplies ready.
Follow a checklist: Use a detailed checklist for opening and closing tasks, so you know everything was completed.
Store equipment properly: Keep stored equipment in a dry, safe place to prevent damage and wear while also keeping it out of the way. A basement or outdoor crawl space is a great choice.
Inspect regularly: Even during the off-season, periodically check the pool cover and surrounding area to make sure everything looks to be in good condition.
Consider hiring a professional: Green Ideas provides pool services for opening and closing; this can help you rest assured that everything has been done correctly and completely.

Professional Pool Maintenance Services

At Green Ideas, we can help you keep your pool in great condition all year long. Here are some of the ways a professional pool company can maintain your swimming pool:

Regular inspections: Professional technicians have the training to identify potential issues and to make sure all components are functioning.
Deep cleaning: We can perform deep cleaning tasks, such as thorough vacuuming, brushing of walls, and removing stubborn algae and calcium deposits.
Equipment repair: Our techs handle the service and repair of pool equipment, including pumps, filters, heaters, and automation systems. We can replace worn-out parts, too.
Water chemistry management: Weekly testing and balancing of water chemistry will maintain safe and healthy swimming conditions and can prevent issues, like algae growth and skin irritation.
Opening and closing the pool: We can efficiently handle the seasonal opening and closing of your pool, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Benefits of hiring a professional:

Expertise: We have extensive knowledge and experience in pool maintenance.
Time savings: Outsourcing those maintenance tasks frees up your time – allowing you to enjoy your pool without the hassle.
Preventative maintenance: Regular inspections and service help address issues early, before they turn into costly problems.
Consistent water quality: Our team can ensure that your water chemistry is consistently balanced for a safer and more appealing swimming experience.

Tips for choosing a service provider:

Check credentials: Ensure any company you’re considering is licensed, insured, and certified.
Read reviews: Look for reviews and testimonials from other customers to determine the company’s reputation and quality of service. Positive feedback from satisfied clients is a good indicator of reliability. So is negative feedback that’s been resolved. You want a company who will quickly address any problems that come up.
Request references: Ask for references you can contact to learn more about their experiences with the company.

Conclusion

Maintaining your pool can feel overwhelming, but when you break it down into daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal tasks, it isn’t as large of a project. At Green Ideas, we’re happy to give you our best advice when it comes to keeping your swimming pool in the best condition possible. We also provide pool maintenance services that will lengthen the lifespan of your pool and keep it in good shape for safe and enjoyable swimming. Contact us today to learn more!