Your Weekly Pool-Care Routine
A practical checklist for testing, cleaning, circulation, and filter health. Use it as a baseline, then adjust for weather, swimmer load, and your equipment.
The 20-minute owner check
Look before you test
Notice clarity, color, surface debris, water level, stains, algae-prone areas, return flow, unusual sound, or visible leaks.
Test the water
Check free chlorine and pH first. Add alkalinity, stabilizer, calcium, and salt on the schedule appropriate for your system.
Empty baskets
Clear skimmer and pump baskets with the system safely off when opening the pump lid.
Brush trouble spots
Brush steps, corners, tile line, behind ladders, and shaded areas where circulation is weakest.
Vacuum or run the cleaner
Remove settled dirt before it adds chlorine demand or stains the surface.
Check pressure and flow
Compare filter pressure with the clean baseline and confirm the pump is fully primed with steady return flow.
Adjust one thing at a time
Measure carefully, follow the product label, circulate, and retest before making another change.
Record the result
Log readings, filter pressure, runtime, weather, and chemicals added. Your own history is one of the best troubleshooting tools.
Less often, but still important
| Task | When to check |
|---|---|
| Clean the filter | Based on pressure rise, flow, debris load, and manufacturer guidance |
| Inspect pump lid O-ring and unions | Monthly and whenever air or leaks appear |
| Test calcium, stabilizer, and salt | Periodically and after dilution, refill, or major treatment |
| Inspect safety equipment and barriers | Regularly, and immediately after storms or repairs |
| Review pump schedule | Seasonally as temperature and swimmer load change |
Still learning the equipment?
Use the first-month roadmap to label valves, record pressure, and establish your normal.