Weekly Pool Maintenance: What You Should Be Doing 🧼🏊‍♂️

Skim, Scrub, and Scoop — Your Weekly Physical Cleanup 🧹

Start your weekly routine by physically cleaning the pool. Use a skimmer net to remove floating leaves, bugs, or other debris. This isn’t just cosmetic — organic matter can break down quickly in the sun and throw off your pool’s chemical balance. Don’t forget to scrub the pool walls and steps using a soft-bristle brush to prevent algae buildup, especially in corners and shaded spots. If you have a vacuum or robotic cleaner, run it weekly for a thorough bottom sweep. Regular manual cleaning helps your filtration system work more efficiently and extends its lifespan.

Test and Balance Your Water Chemistry ⚗️

Water that looks clean isn't always safe. Testing your water weekly — using either test strips or a liquid test kit — ensures it stays balanced and swim-ready. Focus on key levels: chlorine (or bromine), pH (should be 7.2–7.6), alkalinity (80–120 ppm), and calcium hardness. If your chlorine is too low, bacteria and algae will thrive; if it's too high, swimmers may experience irritation. Adjust chemicals as needed, and remember: small tweaks are safer than big dumps. Proper chemical balance prevents corrosion, scale, and costly long-term damage.

Empty and Clean Your Skimmer and Pump Baskets 🧺

It’s easy to forget about the baskets that collect debris behind the scenes — but they’re crucial to your pool’s health. Once a week, turn off your pool pump and empty out the skimmer basket and the pump strainer basket. These can fill up quickly with leaves, bugs, and small debris, reducing water circulation and straining your pump motor. A clogged basket also encourages the growth of mold and mildew, especially in hot weather. Cleaning them weekly keeps your filtration system running smoothly and helps your water stay clean longer.

Backwash or Clean Your Filter System 🌀

Your pool filter — whether sand, cartridge, or DE (diatomaceous earth) — is what keeps your water sparkling. But it can’t do its job if it’s full of gunk. Check the pressure gauge weekly. If it’s reading 8–10 psi above the normal range, it’s time to backwash or clean. For cartridge filters, rinse thoroughly with a hose and soak them monthly in filter cleaner. A neglected filter not only reduces water quality but also shortens the life of your pump system, which can be a costly fix. Keep it on your weekly checklist for long-term savings.

Shock the Pool When Needed 💥

While shocking your pool (adding a high dose of chlorine) isn’t always necessary weekly, it should be part of your regular routine — especially after heavy use, storms, or heatwaves. Shocking kills bacteria, neutralizes contaminants, and brings clarity back to dull water. Choose a chlorine-based shock or a non-chlorine oxidizer depending on your setup. Always shock at dusk or night to prevent sunlight from breaking down the chemicals too quickly. Don’t forget to run your pump overnight after shocking to fully circulate the treatment.