Basic Pool Care Tips
Keep your pool clean and clear throughout the season by following these basic pool maintenance tips.
Cleaning
Routine maintenance should include skimming the pool water and brushing and vacuuming the pool surface, corners and stairs. Doing this weekly helps prevent visible pool problems like algae or scaling.
Circulation
When pool water stays in motion, it helps prevent algae and bacteria from clinging to the surface and disperse chemicals throughout the pool. Keep the jets on and pointed downward for at least 8 hours so the water can circulate. Always have the system running when applying chemicals.
Filtration
Keeping your pool filter clean helps to keep the pool water clean and clear—free of debris, algae and swimmer contaminants. Chemically clean your filter at least twice a season and backwash the filter when the water pressure is 8 to 10 psi above normal.
Water Care
- Test and balance your pool water weekly, maintaining a pH of 7.2–7.6 and free chlorine of 1–4 ppm
- Sanitize regularly by using granules daily or tablets weekly to maintain a steady deposit of chlorine
- Shock weekly and after pool parties or severe weather to keep water clear
- Apply a preventative dose of algaecide weekly and definitely when temperatures rise
Pool Maintenance
Weekly
- Test pool water using ClearPool Expert™ 6‑Way Test Strips
- Balance pool water accordingly based on test results
After a Big Event
- Clean the pool by brushing, vacuuming and cleaning the skimmer baskets
- Apply Shock MAXBlue® per dosing guidelines to protect pool from bacteria
Filter Care
- Clean your filter per the manufacturer's directions at least twice each pool season
- Chemically clean the filter with Filter Cleaner
Pool Opening Tips
- Add water to your pool until it reaches the middle of the skimmer opening
- Ensure your pump, skimmer and filter are working properly
- Remove debris by skimming the water surface, then brush and vacuum thoroughly
- Start pool equipment according to the manufacturer's directions
- Allow pool water to circulate for 24 hours
- Test pool water using ClearPool Expert™ 6 Way Test Strips
- Balance pool water accordingly based on test results
- Sanitize pool water with MAXBlue Tablets® or MAXBlue Granules® according to label directions
- Apply Shock PLUS® per dosing guidelines to remove lingering contaminants
- Add a dose of a preventative algaecide like Algicide + Clarifier according to label directions for pool opening
- Allow product to work overnight with the pump running
- Before allowing residents to enter the pool, retest the chlorine level to ensure it is in the safe range of 1–4 ppm
Pool Closing Tips
- Test pool water using ClearPool Expert™ 6 Way Test Strips
- Balance pool water accordingly based on test results
- Clean the pool by brushing, vacuuming and cleaning the skimmer baskets
- Chemically clean the filter with Filter Cleaner
- Apply Shock MAXBlue® per dosing guidelines to protect your pool from bacteria
- Circulate for four to six hours to allow product to disperse throughout the pool
- Add a dose of Algicide MAXBlue® according to label directions for pool closing to protect your pool from algae growth during the offseason
- Let the pump run for 24 hours so the product fully circulates
- Turn off pool equipment per manufacturer's directions, partially draining your pool if needed
- Cover and secure pool
- A mid winter shock may be necessary for pools in warmer climates
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