The easiest way to embrace Australian life is to own your own swimming pool. However, skimming a few leaves off the surface isn’t enough to keep your swimming pool in good nick.
Our regular swimming pool maintenance guide keeps your pool water crystal clear, hygienic, and refreshing for your next swim. Cleaning and checking your swimming pool regularly is essential to ensuring that all parts of a swimming pool are in good working condition. Follow our swimming pool maintenance guide below to ensure your pool lasts longer, stays in top condition, and retains its sparkle.
Neglecting the correct water levels will let your pool water become stagnant, a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms. The more a swimming pool is used, the more sanitizer is required and the more the water balance is disturbed. Frequent water level monitoring and adjusting are a must in busy pools.
If you are serious about long term care and maintenance, here’s your essential guide to proper pool maintenance in every part of a swimming pool.
Understanding Your Pool’s Key Components
Use this complete swimming pool maintenance guide to every step in pool maintenance:
Learn how to properly care for pool equipment and prevent algae growth, how to balance water chemistry, and how to choose the best cleaning tools to keep your pool looking great.
Filter System
Your pool’s filter system is the centre of your pool’s circulation system. It helps keep the water moving in your pool, trap floating debris, and help prevent algae build up. The type of filter you have could be a sand filter, cartridge filter or a diatomaceous earth filter. It is important to clean and backwash according to the filter’s instruction manual. A clogged pool filter will slow down water flow in your pool which can cause cloudy water.
Pump and Filtration System
Your pool pump and filtration system circulate the water in your pool, remove contaminants and helps to keep the water clear. Pump baskets are designed to catch large debris and prevent clogs in your circulation system. A well-maintained pump and filter system also helps keep chemical balance in check. Your pool filter should run 8 to 12 hours a day to cycle and adequately filter the entire volume of pool water in the pool. A timer can help automate your pool pump maintenance and keep the water circulating.
Pool Walls and Surfaces
Your swimming pool surfaces and pool walls are in constant contact with pool water. Without regular water chemistry checks, algae growth and staining can damage the surface of your pool. Regularly cleaning and maintaining your pool will keep the aesthetics of your pool in good condition and prevent long term damage. Brushing your pool walls weekly will help remove debris and other smaller particles that may be missed by your filter. Adding algaecide once a week will help to prevent algae formation in your pool. Be sure to repair any damage to your pool surface and equipment immediately.
Skimmer Basket and Main Drain
Skimmer baskets collect surface debris before they have a chance to sink to the floor of your pool. The main drain pulls water through your filtration system. Cleaning both of these out regularly ensures good water flow and keeps your pool equipment in good working order. Emptying the skimmer and pump baskets regularly helps prevent cloudy water and algae build-up. Use a skimmer net to allow swimmers to easily remove fallen leaves and other debris from the surface of the pool.
Water Chemistry
Water chemistry is an important part of your maintenance program in keeping your pool clean and swimmers healthy. Chlorine plays a vital role in killing bacteria and keeping pool water sanitary. Check water chemistry weekly during high swimming season and monthly during cooler months. A test kit will allow you to monitor chemical levels and make any necessary changes before problems arise. Weekly testing helps prevent algae and bacteria growth, cloudy water which can damage your pool equipment and can be hazardous to the health of swimmers. After any event that upsets your water chemistry, like a pool party or a heavy rain event, shock the pool to quickly restore water balance and sanitizer levels.
Key levels to maintain:
- pH level: Keep between 7.2 and 7.6 to prevent skin and eye irritation and protect pool equipment.
- Chlorine level: Aim for 1.0 to 3.0 ppm to kill bacteria and prevent algae growth. Chlorine tablets are a convenient chlorine option for maintaining levels.
- Total alkalinity: 100 to 150 ppm to stabilise pH levels.
- Calcium hardness levels: 175 to 225 ppm to protect pool walls from damage.
- Cyanuric acid: Around 50 ppm to shield chlorine from sunlight in outdoor pools.
- Water balance: Keep your levels stable to avoid corrosion or scaling.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
A clean pool not only looks better but also functions better. Every week during the swimming season you should:
- Skim floating debris from the water surface
- Vacuum the pool floor to remove dirt and other debris
- Brush the pool’s walls and pool floor to prevent algae buildup
- Check pool equipment for wear and tear
- Empty pump baskets and the skimmer basket
- Backwash the filter system when needed
- A manual pool vacuum can remove debris from the bottom of the pool that skimmers may miss.
A robotic pool cleaner can save you time and keep your swimming pool in top condition. Modern robotic pool cleaners are designed to navigate the floor and walls of your pool. They can remove those smaller particles that are often missed, and are perfect for scrubbing and vacuuming. As well as scrubbing the floor and walls, many robotic pool cleaners can also clean the waterline. Find a pool cleaner that will work best for you.
Essential Pool Chemicals and Supplies
| Product | Purpose | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|
| Pool Shock | Oxidises contaminants and restores water clarity | Use after heavy use or rain |
| Chlorine Tablets | Sanitises water to kill bacteria and prevent algae growth | Maintain chlorine levels |
| Algaecide | Prevents and treats algae buildup | Weekly during warm months |
| Stain Remover | Removes discolouration from pool surfaces | As needed |
| Balancing Chemicals | Adjusts pH levels, alkalinity, and calcium hardness | Weekly checks |
| Pool Cover | Keeps your pool clean by reducing surface debris | Use when pool is not in use |
Seasonal and Year Round Care Checklist
Weekly (Peak Swimming Season)
- Test pH levels and chlorine levels with a test kit
- Skim surface debris and vacuum the pool
- Brush pool walls and pool floor
- Empty skimmer basket and pump baskets
- Backwash filter system if water flow is reduced
Monthly
- Test calcium hardness levels and cyanuric acid
- Inspect filtration system for wear
- Check for algae growth and treat with algaecide
Year Round
- Keep your pool covered when not in use to reduce cleaning needs and minimize evaporation, which helps keep the water level stable.
- Run the circulation system for at least 8 to 10 hours a day to maintain water clarity
- Maintain your pool’s chemical balance even outside the swimming season
- Have your water tested by a local pool shop to confirm accuracy
- Maintaining correct water levels is crucial in summer to ensure effective filtration and prevent algae growth.
- It’s advisable to rinse or backwash your filter more frequently in summer due to increased usage.
- A daily pool maintenance checklist includes checking the water level and circulation, removing debris and conducting water tests.
Keep Your Pool Clean and Inviting
Follow your swimming pool maintenance guide all season long to make sure that your pool water is crystal clear and ready for swimming. Proper care and maintenance of your pool equipment, water balance, and regular cleaning and filtering will prevent algae growth, and protect your investment. A yearly swimming pool maintenance checklist should also include more detailed inspections of the pool structure and the surrounding area to identify problems before they occur.
If you want to upgrade your pool care with the highest quality pool equipment, chemicals, and accessories, backed with expert advice and great pool service and value, 1 Pool Care is here to help.
With over 20 years of industry experience, Adrian Mole is the founder of 1 Pool Care, a leading mobile pool service in Perth. Known for his expert knowledge and reliable service, Adrian delivers professional pool cleaning, equipment repairs, and water balancing across the metro area. Backed by SPASA accreditation, he’s committed to quality, convenience, and customer satisfaction.
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