What Is Swimming Pool
Maintenance?

Swimming pool maintenance is all the regular tasks pool owners must do to keep their pools in good working order. BHP Pool Services and Remodeling divides maintenance into three categories: circulation, cleaning, and chemistry.

Circulation: Keep the Water Fresh

The most important factor of pool maintenance is circulation. Flowing water prevents algae infestation and cloudy water; these issues can quickly develop in still water.

Your pump should run for a minimum of 6-12 hours a day to remove debris and filter all of the water in your pool. Ideally, the water should be pumping 24/7, but your budget may not allow for such high energy use.

Cleaning: How to Clean the Pool

The more exposure your pool has to the outdoors or multiple swimmers, the more contaminants it collects. You’ll want to keep the following tools handy to clean your pool:

  • Net skimmer –retrieve any floating insects or leaves from the pool’s surface
  • Pool brush – the firm bristles clean the hard-to-reach pool walls
  • Pool vacuum – this specialized vacuum head suctions dirt from the pool’s floor

Use these tools at least once a week to ensure that your swimming pool stays sparkling.

Chemistry: Ensure Safe pH Levels

To keep your pool bacteria-free and safe to use, balancing the pool chemicals is a must. Your water’s pH level should be between 7.4 and 7.6. Anything less than 7 is too acidic, and anything higher than 8 is too basic.

You can purchase a liquid test kit to test your water’s pH or chlorine levels.

 Pro Tip: Baking soda is your friend. Use it to clean your tiles or balance your pool water if it becomes too acidic.

The Parts of Your Pool

The standard parts of your pool are the pool’s interior or lining, filter, and the water itself. You want to keep these parts clean and functioning at all times.

Interior

The pool’s walls and floor are in constant contact with the water. Water is a prime environment for algae, mold, and other debris.

Pump & Filter

Your filter & pool pump are your main defense against bacteria and dirt collecting in your pool. It circulates and cleans the water, preventing algae build-up and removing dirt particles.

Your skimmers also require some attention. Remove any leaves, sticks, or debris in the skimmers once a week.

Water

The most important part of your pool is the water. You can’t swim in a polluted pool! Pay close attention to your water quality, pH level and chlorine content, and water levels to avoid more expensive equipment repairs later on.