In this article we explain the key aspects of your weekly pool service routine. By carrying out a simple weekly pool servicing routine you’ll ensure your pool stays in top condition.
Follow our guide below and the accompanying advice on daily and monthly pool servicing routines, to develop a servicing schedule that works for you.
1. Test the water levels
Your pool water should regularly be tested for the following:
- pH (acidity) – ideal range: 7.2 – 7.6
- free available chlorine (FAC) – ideal range: 1 – 4ppm (parts per million)
- total alkalinity (TA) – ideal range: 60 – 120ppm
- calcium hardness (CH) – ideal range: 200 – 500ppm
- stabiliser levels – ideal range: 20 – 50ppm
Chlorine and pH levels should be tested on a daily basis and adjusted as required. All other levels can be checked weekly.
There are easy-to-use pool testing kits available to buy from all good pool suppliers, as well as test strips, which are a quick alternative for checking pH, chlorine and alkalinity levels. For more information on chemicals and your pool we have prepared a separate article, ‘chemicals and your pool’, which can be viewed here.
2. Brush your pool
Brushing sounds like hard work, but it is actually quick, easy and extremely important. By brushing your pool walls once a week, you will protect them from outbreaks of algae and save yourself a lot more work in the future.
Using a pool brush, start at the shallow end and brush the walls from top to bottom followed by the pool floor. It should take no longer than 15 minutes to remove the dirt and microscopic materials from the pool walls and floor. Any dirt suspended in the water will be dealt with by the pool’s sanitiser (usually chlorine) and filter system.
3. Vacuum the pool
Within your pool service kit you should have a hose and vacuum cleaner for the skimmer vacuum system. Vacuuming the pool should only be done when the pool is not in use. Follow these instructions to use it once a week or as appropriate:
- Attach the vacuum head to the extension pole
- Connect the hose securely to the vacuum head
- Turn off or reduce (as appropriate) all suction points apart from the skimmer
- Using the vac pole, lower the vacuum head into the pool and allow the hose to float freely in the water
- Connect the free end of the hose to one of your pool’s inlet jets until bubbles stop coming out of the vacuum head or it sinks to show that it is filled with water
- Remove the skimmer lid and attach the free end of the hose to the skimmers vacuum plate on top of the basket
- Now push the vacuum head slowly around the pool floor using the extension pole as you would a vacuum cleaner around a carpet. There should be adequate suction to remove small debris and algae.
You may want to consider an automatic pool cleaner which is simpler to use and will require less manual work.
Leading the way is the Dolphin Explorer Plus. Designed for pools up to 15 metres in length, this robot excels at keeping the floor walls and waterline constantly clean with little effort. The low-voltage, low energy design includes a cartridge filtration system which efficiently collects all types of dirt, even small particles.
4. Shock treatment
Before adding pool shock treatment to your pool water it must be pre-dissolved into a bucket of water. It is extremely important that you add the chemicals to water, rather than add water to the chemicals.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions before dissolving the pool shock and adding it to the water. You may be required to wear safety gloves and goggles.
Check the chlorine levels again to ensure they are safe before you allow anyone to use your pool.
Many of these tasks are quick and easy to perform as part of your ongoing pool servicing routine. You will be rewarded with a clear, safe and sparkly pool for you and your family to enjoy.
Do it differently? Let us know, in the comments box below, how you maintain and service your pool. To speak to a professional pool servicing or maintenance company or to find or contact a pool supplier in your area you can click here.