Easy Pool Care Between Service Visits: Essential Tips Every Pool Owner Should Know

Owning a pool is amazing, especially when it’s sparkling clean and ready to use. While professional pool services keep your pool in top shape, there are a few basic maintenance tasks that every pool owner can do between visits to keep things running smoothly. These quick, simple steps will help keep your water clear, your pool equipment working well, and your swim time worry-free. Let’s dive in!

1. Emptying the Skimmer and Pump Baskets

Every pool has a skimmer basket and usually a pump basket. These collect leaves, bugs, and other debris to prevent them from clogging your pool filter or pump.

• Skimmer Basket: Located on the side of your pool, this basket pulls in floating debris.

• Pump Basket: Found inside your pool pump, this basket collects debris before water enters the pump system.

Why This is Important: When baskets get clogged, they make it harder for water to flow through your pump and filter, which can overwork and even damage your equipment.

How Often to Check: Check and empty these baskets at least once a week, or more often if you notice lots of leaves or dirt in your pool.

2. Skimming the Surface of Your Pool

Skimming is one of the simplest ways to keep your pool looking great. Just like sweeping dust off the floor, skimming removes floating leaves, bugs, and debris.

• Use a Skimmer Net: A skimmer net is a long-handled tool with a mesh net at the end, perfect for reaching across your pool and grabbing anything that’s on the surface.

Why This is Important: Skimming reduces the amount of debris that can sink to the bottom, where it’s harder to clean. Plus, it keeps your pool water looking fresh and inviting.

How Often to Skim: Skimming a few minutes each day is ideal, especially if your pool is near trees or plants that shed a lot.

3. Brushing the Pool Walls and Steps

Just like skimming, brushing your pool helps keep it clean, especially on surfaces where algae and dirt like to gather.

• Get the Right Brush: Choose a brush that’s safe for your pool type. Soft brushes work well for vinyl or fiberglass pools, while stiffer brushes are better for concrete or plaster.

Why This is Important: Algae, dirt, and minerals can build up on pool surfaces over time, especially in areas that don’t get a lot of circulation, like steps and corners.

How Often to Brush: Brushing once a week helps keep algae and other buildups from forming. If you participate in our weekly pool service program, this may not be necessary as your pool technicians will take care of it on routine visits. 

4. Checking Water Levels

Water evaporates from your pool naturally, especially in warm weather, but leaks or excessive splashing can lower the water level too.

• Why Water Levels Matter: Your pool’s water level should be at about the halfway point of your skimmer opening. If it’s too low, your pump could run dry, which can damage the motor. If it’s too high, it can reduce the skimming efficiency.

How to Adjust Water Levels: If the water is too low, add water with a garden hose until it reaches the proper level. If it’s too high, you can drain some of the water or wait for it to lower naturally.

How Often to Check: Check your water level weekly, or after heavy rain or lots of pool activity.

5. Testing Pool Water

Even though your pool service takes care of water chemistry, it’s still a good idea to check your pool’s water between visits to catch any big changes.

• Test Kits and Test Strips: These simple tools let you check for things like chlorine levels, pH, and alkalinity. Test kits are easy to use and give you an idea of what’s happening in your water.

Why This is Important: Balanced water keeps your pool safe and comfortable to swim in, and it also protects your equipment from wear and tear. If the water balance gets too far off, it can cause cloudy water, algae, or even damage your pool liner or surfaces.

How Often to Test: Try to test your pool water weekly, especially during hot weather or if your pool gets heavy use.

6. Keeping an Eye on the Pool Filter Pressure Gauge

The filter in your pool system keeps your water clear by catching tiny particles that would otherwise make the water cloudy.

• What to Check: Most filters have a pressure gauge, which tells you how hard the filter is working. When the gauge reads about 10 psi (pounds per square inch) higher than its normal reading, it’s time to clean or backwash the filter.

Why This is Important: A filter that’s too full of dirt and debris won’t work effectively, and it could even put strain on your pump.

How Often to Check: Check the pressure gauge weekly to see if the filter needs attention. If you notice it needs attention, give us a call.

7. Checking for Unusual Noises or Signs of Trouble

Your pool pump, filter, and other equipment should all run fairly quietly. Any new or loud sounds could be a sign that something isn’t working as it should.

• What to Listen For: Whining, grinding, or other unusual noises from your pump or filter system.

• Look for Leaks: Also check for leaks around the pump or filter. Pool equipment should stay dry—leaks can signal a problem with seals or fittings.

Why This is Important: Addressing minor issues early can prevent more costly repairs later.

How Often to Check: Keep an ear out for changes each time you check on your pool, especially if you hear something unusual.

8. Keep Pool Chemicals Stored Safely

If you keep any pool chemicals at home, make sure they’re stored safely and out of reach of children and pets. Pool chemicals, like chlorine, need to be handled with care to avoid accidents.

• Use Proper Containers: Keep chemicals in their original containers with labels.

• Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Make sure they’re stored somewhere safe, away from sunlight and other chemicals.

Why This is Important: Safe storage helps protect everyone around the pool area and ensures that chemicals stay effective.

In Summary

Taking care of a pool doesn’t have to be difficult, and these simple maintenance tasks can make a huge difference in keeping your pool clean and your equipment in top shape between service visits. Emptying baskets, skimming the surface, brushing the walls, and checking water levels are all quick tasks that every pool owner can manage.

By following these steps, you’re doing your part to keep your pool beautiful and ready for swimming.

And remember, if you ever notice anything unusual, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Infinity Pool Solutions. Regular maintenance is the key to a long-lasting, healthy, and beautiful pool!