Swimming pool care plan

Weekly pool care

A little care every week keeps your pool safe and sparkling and costs far less than rescuing a green one. This routine takes about 15 minutes, plus a quick test two or three times a week. Tick the steps off as you go - your list resets each season.

About 15 minutes a week

Checklist

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1. Test the waterTest two or three times a week, and after heavy rain or a busy weekend. Photograph the strip in the app for a reading and a treatment plan.
2. Adjust alkalinity, then pHKeep alkalinity at 80-120 ppm and pH at 7.2-7.6. Correct alkalinity first, one product at a time, added to a bucket of water with the pump running.
3. Keep chlorine at 1-3 ppmTop up your floater or feeder, or add granules in the evening so the sun does not burn them off straight away.
4. Skim and empty the basketsNet out leaves and insects, and empty the skimmer and pump baskets so water flows freely.
5. Brush and vacuumBrush the walls, steps and waterline, then vacuum the floor. Brushing stops algae getting a foothold.
6. Check the filterBackwash a sand filter when the pressure gauge reads about 0.5 bar (roughly 8 psi) above its clean level, or rinse a cartridge filter.
7. Shock after heavy useShock weekly in hot weather, and after parties, storms or if total chlorine is higher than free chlorine. Swim once free chlorine is back under 5 ppm.
8. Check the water levelKeep it at the middle of the skimmer opening. Test after any large top-up with tap water.

Tips

Run the pump at least 8 hours a day in summer - longer in a heatwave.
Use a cover when the pool is not in use to keep heat in, debris out and chlorine from being burned off.
Ask everyone to shower before swimming - it greatly reduces chlorine smell and red eyes.
Check stabiliser once a month; stabilised chlorine slowly pushes it up.

Safety first: add chemicals to water, never water to chemicals. Never mix products - add one at a time with the pump running, and store them apart, dry and out of reach of children.

What you'll need

Available from Deep Blue Pool Supplies, with fast UK delivery.

Test as you go

Photograph your test strip for an instant reading and a dosing plan for your water volume.

Test your water now Water problem? See our help guides