Pool Maintenance Schedule

April 4, 2020 sandeelane

No need to get upset and worry. Getting your pool from YUCK to clean and clear is EASY!! It only takes a few basic steps and very little time! I’ll show you exactly how I do that and show you the schedule I use to keep it that way. I’ll also let you in on a few little personal techniques I’ve adapted to keep our pool clean and clear longer so we can have more time swimming and enjoying, and less time cleaning. In my post, HOW TO HAVE CLEAN, SAFE POOL WATER, I quickly explain why the basic steps – chemicals, circulation and filtration are necessary. The items similar to what I use are listed in my post EASY CRYSTAL CLEAR POOL WATER and it easily explains what is used to maintain beautiful water and what each product does. In this post, POOL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, you will see the schedule I use to maintain great pool water and the items similar to what I use to accomplish that. The brand names may be different, but the result will be the same, beautiful swimming water! You can do this too! Within a very short time frame, your pool will transform, and you and your family and friends will be cooling off, relaxing and creating fun memories.

Shark Inflatable

It’s important to read the chemical instructions on the packages for amounts needed and how long to wait to swim. I often will add the chemicals in at the end of the day, after the last swim, so I don’t really have to think too much about it. Leave the pump running a few hours or overnight so they will be well circulated. Never mix chemicals together. Avoid letting chemicals drop straight to the bottom of the pool as it will fade the design of the pool floor.

Tankini Set

Swim Dress with Bikini Bottom

Remember it’s easier to add more chemicals than to take them out of the water. But if you do put too many chemicals in, don’t worry, this would be a good time to vacuum or do a back wash and you’ll have to add water after doing either of those maintenance routines. Water tends to evaporate quickly and lots will get splashed out as well. I tend to add quite a bit of water all summer long, so as you add more water, the chemical levels will quickly balance again.

In The Swim Super Pool Opening

Chemical Start Up KitHere is the schedule I use to keep my pool clean and clear:

POOL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Monday:

AQUACHEK 4 in 1 Test Strips – This is the first step each day to ensure your chlorine, stabilizer, ph and alkalinity are all at the correct levels.
Make sure a Chlorine Tablet, (or 2 or 3), is in the Floating Chlorine Tablet Dispenser or in the filter basket – chlorine is a constant in pool maintenance, it keeps your pool safe from bacteria and algae. On hot days the chlorine will dissipate quickly, so you may need to add more than one tablet and more often, I’ve used 4 at times. The size and use of your pool will influence the amount needed.
Add Chlorine Stabilizer – Some brands have chlorine tablets that are stabilized already so it may not be needed as often. In the Swim brand needs to have the Stabilizer added separately. It is the Cyanuric Acid level on the AquaChek Strip. Once you’ve done the initial pool opening and have your chemicals at the correct levels, and depending on your water, you probably won’t have to add very much stabilizer.
Clean debris from filter basket.

AquaChek Yellow – Water Testing Strips
checks: Free Chlorine, pH
Total Alkalinity, Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer)

Tuesday:

AQUACHEK 4 in 1 Test Strips
Check Chlorine Tablet. – If chlorine is low add a 2nd puck.
Add Stain Away. – This is added once a week and will prevent brown stains and scaling on your pool walls. It’s a good investment as those can be very difficult to remove.
Clean debris from filter basket.

Wednesday:

AQUACHEK 4 in 1 Test Strips
Check Chlorine Tablet.
add Algaecide – This is added once a week. Another good investment. This, along with chlorine, will prevent the cloudy and green pools you see all over the internet. It is far easier to prevent an algae outbreak than to clean it up after it has taken over your pool.
Clean debris from filter basket.

Thursday:

AQUACHEK 4 in 1 Test Strips
Check Chlorine Tablet.
Clean debris from filter basket.

Friday:

AQUACHEK 4 in 1 Test Strips
check Chlorine Tablet
clean debris from filter basket

Saturday:

AQUACHEK 4 in 1 Test Strips
check Chlorine Tablet
Vacuum – best to do this first thing in the morning before anyone hops in the pool and everything on the bottom gets stirred up.
Maintain filter system – I have a sand pump and filter system so I: back wash to waste, then rinse, then wait a minute before turning system back on to filter-turn the motor off before each switch – be sure to back wash once a week, it will keep you filter system clean and working at top efficiency levels. If the pressure of water entering your pool doesn’t seem quite as strong as normal, that is a sign that it is time to backwash.
Add more water.
Clean debris from filter basket.
Add Shock – Add in the evening after the last swim. I leave the system running so it is well circulated. I add Shock once a week – especially if I’ve added a lot of water, there has been lots of swim time or after a big rainfall – shock is a super chlorinating product that kills bacteria and destroys organic material in the water. It will help to keep your water crystal clear.
Add stabalizer if needed (also called cyanuric acid or CYA)

Sunday:

AQUACHEK 4 in 1 Test Strips
Check Chlorine Tablet.
Clean debris from filter basket.

Pool Float Lounge

See, super easy, right? The most to do is Saturday, but to be honest, sometimes I vacuum every 2nd weekend depending on how the bottom of the pool looks. If you use a foot bath before entering the pool and use the leaf skimmer net often, there will be little or no debris in your pool.

T-Rex Giant Ride on Float

Intex Foot Bath

Now, here are a few easy tips to help keep the pool a bit cleaner. Put a little foot bath or kiddie pool by the ladder. Everyone will be able to give their feet a quick swish to rinse off any grass and debris before they hop in the pool. I keep a bucket in the same area and each day I take a bucket of water from the pool and throw it into the kiddie pool foot bath. That will prevent the little pool from getting slimy and slippery and prevent the need for daily scrubbing since there is algaecide and chlorine in the pool water. I found this Foot Bath for Pool Ladders on line. It’s cute and connects neatly to the ladder legs and has a nonslip bottom.

If the first person in the pool each day uses the Leaf Skimmer to scoop out leaves and other debris it will keep your pool a lot cleaner for longer periods of time. Be sure to get one with a telescopic handle. You’ll appreciate the longer reach as it is especially helpful when you are cleaning the pool while walking around the outside. It’ll reach to the middle of the pool and also pick up leaves and such from the bottom while you are swimming as well.

I like to keep a patio umbrella beside my pool to provide a bit of shade while I’m in the water. It prevents sunburn and allows me to stay in the water much longer. My favorite thing to do in the water – stretching! It makes me feel amazing!

Keeping all the pool toys in a netted mesh organizer will keep them dirt and grass free, allow them to air dry, and keep them out of the pool when people aren’t using them. This also keeps fun toys from blocking the out take of water going to your filter system. You want to keep that clear so your filter system doesn’t get damaged.

Now, go grab a beverage and relax! It’s time for you to enjoy your pool!! Have a great summer!!