How Often Should You Clean Your Pool?

April 12, 2022

Having a place to swim is fun and increasingly common among homeowners, but it comes with a responsibility to keep it clean and safe to swim in. If you want to enjoy your pool for as long as you can, it's worth it to extend its life by keeping it well-maintained.

So, how often should you clean your pool? It depends, but anywhere from every day to every other month.

Daily Pool Cleaning Tasks

These pool cleaning tasks are simple and can be done every day as needed. Missing a day here or there won't hurt, but staying on top of pool maintenance will prevent worse issues down the line.

Skimming the Water

Using a skimmer, remove any visible debris such as dead bugs, leaves, dirt, trash, or anything else floating on the water. This is the pool maintenance you will be doing most often, especially after a storm or having guests over. 

You can reduce the amount of pool cleaning by investing in a cover for when you're not using the pool.

Spot-Checking

Check the water for things that are obviously wrong on a daily basis, such as algae, discoloration, or a lot of debris. Finding problems early can save you a headache later, so you don't have to deal with them when it's time to go swimming. 

You should also break up larger pool maintenance tasks into smaller pieces so you're not overwhelmed at the end of the week.

Weekly Pool Cleaning Tasks

The majority of pool maintenance should be done on a weekly basis, though it can be done more often if necessary. If these tasks are too much for a busy schedule, consider hiring pool service professionals to take care of the pool cleaning for you.

Testing the Water

You need to make sure that the water is in the correct range for pH and chlorine levels. You can do this with water testing, either with a kit or a dedicated pool service store. 

The pH of your pool should be between 7.4 and 7.6. The chlorine levels should be between 1.0 to 3.0 PPM. If the water levels are outside these ranges, you'll need to adjust the chemicals to balance them out.

Keeping a healthy range in your water is important for sanitation. Otherwise, dangerous bacteria could grow and potentially get you sick.

Vacuuming

Another important pool service is vacuuming. This will keep your water's pH level balanced and prevent the buildup of algae and debris. Skimming regularly will help reduce the need to vacuum, and both will extend the life of your filters.

This pool service can take up a lot of time, especially since it needs to be done at least once a week. If you're too busy, automatic pool vacuums are available on the market, or you could hire a professional pool service.

Tile Brushing and Cleaning

You also need to stay on top of keeping the tiles clean and free of dirt or algae. This contributes to an overall nicer look and prevents unsightly buildup. All you need is a tile cleaner and a brush of your choice, preferably with a long handle to reach deep.

Algae Preventative

Algae growth in your pool can be unpleasant and even dangerous. Growth on the tiles can cause slipping and accidents, and the presence of algae at all can indicate poor sanitation, which means there may be other bacteria present. 

To prevent this, stay on top of the pool cleaning, cover it up when not in use, and use algaecides if necessary.

Shock Treatments

If algae has managed to grow despite preventative measures, you'll need to shock the pool with chlorine treatment. This will clear out the excess algae, and taking care of this pool service weekly ensures that you never have to deal with the unsightly green of an overgrown pool. 

Depending on the surface area and method used, the shock process may take several days, so plan ahead. If you're unsure about the process, it may be worth it to leave this type of pool maintenance to a professional.

Bi-Monthly Pool Cleaning Tasks

Some types of pool cleaning only need to be done every other month but are still important for the health of the water.

Filter Cleaning

Filters catch anything that the skimmer and vacuum miss. If you keep up with maintenance, they won't need much attention but should still be cleaned with a filter cleaner or occasionally replaced to keep your water at the highest quality. 

Stay On Top of It

This may seem like many steps, but breaking it up into smaller chunks will make maintenance more manageable. Take care of things as soon as you can, so they don't pile up at the end of the week. You also won't be disappointed when an afternoon meant for swimming is cut short by a dirty pool.

Still, even the bare minimum can be overwhelming for a busy schedule. If all the upkeep is too much, consider hiring a professional service. That way, you can focus on the fun part and enjoy your pool.

You can explore our website for more information on how to clean your swimming pool.

If you are in the Riverside, CA area and you are looking to find a pool service company to take over your regular care and maintenance, we encourage you to check out our Google Reviews to learn more about how we've successfully help customers just like you!