Wouldn’t it be great if our pools took care of themselves? Or better yet, if they didn’t need any care? Unfortunately, our pools need us as much as we need them. Here are some simple steps that will help keep your pool clean, clear and healthy throughout the season. Why? So that it can keep you relaxed, refreshed or revitalized whenever you need it.

4 easy steps to crystal clear pool water:

Test:
Test your pool water weekly with a 2-way OTO test kit or water testing strips.

Chlorinate:
Fill your chlorine floater with your preferred chlorinating tablets to to keep your pool clean, clear and healthy to swim in.

Shock Treat:
Treat your water once a week, using shock. Use one bag of shock per 10,000 gallons of pool water.

Algae Prevention:
To prevent algae, add a dosage of your preferred algaecide one a week.

Don’t let the length of this list frighten you. Many of these points aren’t even “tasks” – just tips. Our pool care experts recommend them as guidelines. The goal is to help you spend less time ‘repairing’ your pool water and more time relaxing, enjoying it. As you’ll see, it’s actually quite simple.

Daily:
Test pH and chlorine levels daily. Add the appropriate products as soon as readings deviate from the recommended ranges. Run the filter 12 to 24 hours. If pool water appears cloudy, re-check and, if necessary, adjust the pH and alkalinity, then run the filter continuously until the water is clear. Good filtration goes hand in hand with the right chemical balance in your pool water to keep it crystal clear and healthy for all swimmers. Use a leaf skimmer or rake to remove leaves or any other debris that gets into your pool.

Weekly:
Vacuum manually once a week (more if needed). If you have an automatic cleaner, run it for 8 to 12 hours at least 2 or 3 times during the week. Cleaning helps lower the chances of an algae outbreak in the pool water and reduces your chlorine demand. Give the sidewalls a quick brushing at least every other week. Shock the pool. This helps keep your pool water safe and inviting for swimmers. If you have a diatomaceous earth (DE) or cartridge filter, watch the pressure gauge and clean the filter according to the manufacturer's directions. Choose a day for once-a-week duties, but be flexible.

Monthly:
Clean pool walls to remove the scum ring that forms at the waterline. Check the TA and calcium hardness (CH) and adjust accordingly.

As Needed:
Your pool will need immediate attention after a day of heavy use. Extremely high temperatures, heavy winds or rain will also affect your pool water's chemistry. Following these conditions, test your pool to ensure that your water is in proper balance. Use our Water Testing feature to get specific recommendations driven by your test results. Clean the skimmer and pump baskets as often as you can, especially when nearby trees are shedding seed pods and leaves. Always check the skimmer and pump baskets following a rainstorm. Removal of debris from the pool and pump basket reduces the amount of chlorine necessary to keep your pool clean and healthy. If you have a sand filter, monitor the filter pressure gauge and backwash whenever the pressure is 5 to 8 psi (pounds per square inch) above the normal level or as directed by filter manufacturer. Backwash one to two minutes until the water is clear, then switch to rinse for one minute to eliminate residue that otherwise would have been left in the filter and carried back into the pool.