General maintenance
Keeping up on the chemical balance of your pool is important, but so is the maintenance of your pool and pool equipment. When your pump, filter, vacuum, skimmer and other pieces of pool equipment are clean and in working order, your pool will stay cleaner longer, cutting back on chemical expenses. Follow this advice in making a foolproof pool maintenance schedule.
- Run your filter pump at least 12 continuous hours a day
- Backwash filter regularly according to manufacturer’s instructions
- Clean the skimmer and pump strainer basket as needed
- Chemically clean your filter at least twice a swim season
- Skim surface of the water daily
- Brush pool floor and walls on a regular basis
- Vacuum as needed and after brushing your pool
- Keep your pool covered when not in use
- If you have a sand filter, change the sand annually
- If you have a DE filter, clean it then backwash
- If you have a cartridge filter, rinse the pleated filter elements individually with a hose
Pool water maintenance chart
| Test component | Test Frequency | Test Method | Recommended Range |
| pH | Weekly | Test Kit | 7.4-7.6 |
| Total Alkalinity | Weekly | Test Kit | 60-150 ppm |
| Calcium Hardness | Monthly | Test Kit | 200-500 ppm |
| Chlorine | Daily | Test Kit | 1-1.5 ppm |
| Chlorine Shock | Weekly | Test Kit | 1-4 ppm |
