Pool Maintenance Tips

Keep the water balanced – pH 7.2-7.8, total alkalinity 80-120 ppm, calcium hardness 150-250 ppm.

Maintain sanitizer 2-4 ppm free chlorine and shock after heavy use or rain.

Brush walls and floor once a week.

Skim daily & vacuum weekly (robotic cleaner if budget allows).

Run the pump long enough to turn the water over each day (≈ 8 hrs) — or 24/7 on low-RPM with a variable-speed pump.

Back-wash sand / rinse DE or clean cartridge when filter pressure rises 8–10 psi.

Swap sand every 3-5 yrs or cartridges every 1-2 seasons.

Keep water level mid-skimmer.

Protect the liner: ladder mat, ground cove, no sharp toys; patch pinholes immediately.

Cover the pool when not in use (solar or safety cover).

Open early (water ≤ 60 °F) and close late with proper winterization: drop level below skimmer, blow out lines, add air pillow, antifreeze, and cover snugly.

Test water daily for pH & chlorine; test full panel weekly.

Aim return jet 45° down and opposite the skimmer.

Shade and ventilate the pump (slatted cover or pergola).

Replace O-rings & gaskets each spring and lube with silicone.

Proper balance prevents vinyl-liner brittleness, rust on the frame, and scale on the filter and heater.

Consistent sanitizer stops algae before it damages the liner seams and fades prints

Brushing removes the biofilm that lets algae anchor; a soft-bristle vinyl brush is safest.

Debris left to decay raises phosphates and stains liners.

Continuous low-speed flow uses less power and is easier on the motor, extending pump life.

A clogged filter strains the pump and shortens its life.

Fresh media restores filtration efficiency.

Too low lets the pump suck air; too high reduces skimming action.

Small punctures spread quickly under water pressure.

Blocks UV (slows chlorine loss) and keeps leaves out.

Prevents freeze damage and spring algae blooms.

Quick strip tests catch problems before they grow costly.

Creates a slow whirlpool that stirs “dead spots.”

Heat is the main killer of pump motors; cooler units last longer.

Fresh seals stop air leaks that cause cavitation and pump wear.