Swimming Pool Maintenance: Guide, Tips & Procedures
Are you a pool owner who wants to ensure that your swimming pool is always in the best condition possible? Maintaining your swimming pool is essential for keeping it safe, clean, and enjoyable – and we’re here to help you do it right.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide all of the information you need as a pool owner to properly maintain your swimming pool. We’ll discuss topics such as key swimming pool maintenance procedures, if and when you need pool maintenance, plus all of our top tips and guidelines for maintaining your pool with ease.
With these helpful tips and advice from experts in the field, you can make sure that your swimming pool remains healthy year-round. So let’s dive right in!
First things first: what does proper pool maintenance involve?
Pool maintenance involves a host of activities, from regular chemical testing and balancing to cleaning the pool area and filter. These procedures should be followed regularly to ensure that your pool remains clean and safe for swimmers.
Pool maintenance usually involves the support of expert pool service providers, who should always be called in for more complex maintenance tasks such as pump repairs or filter replacements. It is also important to have a pool cover on hand to help keep debris out of the water and minimise evaporation from the sun if you have an outdoor pool.
Swimming pool maintenance services may include:
- Quarterly indoor pool service (Optional fully inclusive)
- Monthly Indoor pool service (Optional fully inclusive)
- Indoor Pool De-commissioning & Re-commissioning (Periodic shutdowns)
- One-off attendance (Service & Breakdown)
- Seasonal pool opening Summarise (March- June)
- Seasonal pool closure Winterisation (Sept-December)
- Fortnightly Outdoor pool service (Optional Fully Inclusive)
- Check and Balance Service (Water treatment and equipment care without cleaning)
- Weekly Pool Care (Domestic & Commercial)
- Daily Pool Care (Domestic & Commercial)
- Training (Bespoke on site/ General Operatives)
- Swimming Pool Repairs and Remedial Works.
- Monitoring chlorine levels
Examples of swimming pool maintenance procedures
To clarify what pool maintenance services involve in a bit more detail, here are some of the most common swimming pool maintenance procedures.
Pool Opening (Summerise) Service
Don’t wait until the weather is already great to discover your pool is in need of some extra TLC. In a cold winter with some extreme frosts, damage can occur if your pool was not Winterised properly.
A pool opening – or Summerising – procedure is a core service that should be done at the start of any pool season to ensure that your pool is running at maximum efficiency and can be enjoyed safely. This type of service is crucial in preventing and fixing any damage that has occurred over the winter, such as water leaks or corrosion of parts. A great Summerise pool maintenance service should consist of:
- Cleaning & Dosing
- Algaecide
- Starting the system
- Change of cover
- Ensuring every element is in good working order.
De-commission (Winterise) Service
Usually, people choose to Winterise their pool between September and November (depending on their heating option) to keep their pool in good condition throughout the cold winter months. It’s important to prepare your pool for the winter ahead of time, as sudden temperature changes can cause severe damage to your pool such as cracks, broken pipes and more.
Winterising needs to be done thoroughly and correctly in order to protect your pool against frosts and debris all season long, so a great Winterise pool maintenance service should consist of:
- Draining & Cleaning
- Protecting Pipes
- Draining filter and Pump
- Storing Solar Cover
- Shock Chlorination and Wintertime Algaecide
- Setting up Winter Cover, and much more.
Do you need pool maintenance?
One question that many pool owners ask is: do I really need to have my pool professionally serviced? The answer is, yes! Professional pool maintenance services are essential for keeping your swimming pool in good condition.
Professional service providers can help you identify and address any problems that exist with your swimming pool, as well as provide valuable advice on how to maintain it in the long run.
In addition, professional pool maintenance services can save you time and money in the long run. By addressing any issues early on, you avoid costly repairs down the road.
Some clear signs that you need pool maintenance ASAP include:
- Cloud, green or discoloured pool water
- Algae growth
- Major leaks or suspected leaks
- Grime accumulation
- Problems with your pool drainage system.
If you see any of these signs, it is best to call in a professional pool service provider who will be able to diagnose and solve the issue quickly.
Not sure if you need pool maintenance? Contact us today for some no-obligation support!
Your top swimming pool maintenance guidelines
Leave it to the experts
When it comes to pool maintenance, it is always best to call in the professionals. This is especially important for maintaining commercial pools and more complex maintenance tasks such as pump repairs or filter replacements. A professional knows exactly how to handle these types of situations and can help you stick to health and safety regulations, as well as ensure the job is done properly.
Create a regular servicing schedule
Especially during swimming season, it’s important to schedule regular pool maintenance visits from a professional to make sure your pool is running properly. During these visits, your technician should check the chemical levels, inspect for any potential issues, and make sure all systems are in good working order.
Maintain the correct swimming pool water levels
It’s also important to check and maintain the correct water levels in your pool. If it is too low, there may not be enough pressure on the skimmers to capture all debris, and if it is too high, it can put unnecessary strain on the pool pump.
To maintain the correct water level, you should check it at least twice a week – every day when in frequent use – and add more as needed.
Check for leaks, cracks and blockages
A regular part of your pool maintenance routine should be to inspect your pool for any signs of cracks, leaks or blockages. These can be caused by wear and tear, age, or even the weather. Inspecting your pool regularly will help identify any issues early on, so they can be addressed before they become a major problem.
Keep an eye out for algae growth
Algae growth is a common problem in swimming pools, and can quickly become unmanageable if not treated correctly. To prevent algae from taking over, it’s important to keep the chemical levels of your pool balanced at all times, as well as regularly clean out debris and brush down the walls.
Replace worn-out parts of your pool system
It’s also important to keep an eye out for any worn-out parts of your pool system, and to replace them efficiently. For example, if your pool pump or filtration system is not working properly, replacing it with a variable speed pool pump and new filter system can help ensure that your swimming pool remains safe and efficient for many years to come.
Ensure regulation pool chemicals
From damage to the pool walls to skin irritation and more serious health risks, adding your own chemicals to your pool water is a recipe for disaster.
Maintaining the right chemical balance in your pools is crucial – and to do this you must follow health and safety regulations. So, always consult with a professional to determine the exact chemicals needed and how they should be added.
7 DIY pool care and maintenance tips
While expert pool care is always our top recommendation, as we looked at in more detail in our DIY pool maintenance guide, there are a few key DIY tips you can follow to make your own pool maintenance that much easier to keep up with. These include:
- Take care of your pool filter: Pool filters are an essential part of your pool maintenance routine. Clean and check them regularly for any signs of wear or damage that could be affecting their performance.
- Clean the skimmer basket: Skimmer baskets should be cleaned at least once a week to ensure the skimmers can continue to function efficiently.
- Address cloudy pool water: Shock your pool (with care and guidance) if the water is starting to look cloudy or murky – and remember to keep your pool clean!
- Clean the pool surround: Cleaning the pool surround can help prevent dirt and debris from entering your pool, as well as keeping it free of algae.
- Add a dosing system and automatic backwash: Automating your pool maintenance can save time and effort – plus, you’ll always get the correct readings from its automated sensors.
- Check the water chemistry frequently: Ensure you check the water chemistry of your pool regularly to ensure a healthy balance of chemicals and avoid any potential skin irritation or health risks.
- Utilise ozone systems or UV sanitisers: Ozone systems and UV sanitisers are a great way to remove any potentially harmful bacteria from your pool.
Trust the pool maintenance experts…
Following these simple tips, as well as the broader advice outlined in this article, will help you ensure your pool is always clean, safe and ready for use. If you need any further advice or guidance – get in touch with the pool maintenance experts here at Blue Cube Pools.
Our dedicated team of pool maintenance professionals can help you keep your pool looking and performing its best – whatever the weather. From seasonal pool care maintenance to regular inspections, repairs and more – we’ll be with you every step of the way.
Get in touch today to find out how our experts can help you.
Swimming pool maintenance guide: FAQs
What regular maintenance should be done on a pool?
Regular pool maintenance should include weekly checks of your filter, skimmer basket, and water chemistry. You should also clean the sides of the pool, vacuum any debris or sediment from the bottom, and brush down walls and steps. Additionally, it’s important to check for worn-out parts such as pumps or filters and replace them if necessary.
How can I maintain my pool cheaply?
There are plenty of ways to maintain your pool on a budget. Investing in an automated dosing system and filter can help reduce the amount of time you need to spend maintaining your pool, as well as ensuring that your pool is consistently up to health and safety standards.