How to Maintain and Service A Swimming Pool: A Step By Step Guide

In this article I go over the Step by Step procedure I take when I service a swimming pool. This is a basic video guide on how to maintain a swimming pool for either a homeowner or pool service professional. I walk you thru the steps I take on a pool from beginning to end.

For sake of time this is an overview video, however at every second mark in the video I have links to other videos that go into more detail for the item or procedure in each clip. That way if you need more detailed help on something I show or wish to investigate a product in the video you can do itby clicking on the link in the description at that time mark.

The very first thing I do is scan the pool for anything unusual. A dead Gopher on the pool floor would be something noteworthy. I also can assess the pools clarity level by just eyeballing it and can pretty much tell if there is a chemistry issue – like no Chlorine or Combined Chlorine.

I do all these steps in order so not to forget to do something. Doing this over and over on a pool route puts your brain in robot mode and you can't think back two stops previous and try to remember if you added chemicals or not. So if you do the steps in order chances are you won't forget anything.

Step One: Check the Chemicals

The first thing I do is check the water chemistry. There are several test factors that you need to be aware of and not all of them need to be done weekly. Each week you do need to check the Chlorine level – if you have the right test kit you can also check for Total Chlorine. But at a minimum you need to get the Free Chlorine level. You should also check the pH each week, or how acidic or alkaline the water is. If the pH is too low or too high it can have some significant effects on the pool water quality and the pool surface itself.

I check the Alkalinity level once a month as a rule. Since the Alkalinity level is tied into the pH it normally does not move dramatically in one direction or the other. For a new pool plaster it can move more so in that case I check it every week for the first three months. But once the plaster cures or if you have another surface type like Vinyl or Fiberglass the Alkalinity is pretty stable.

The Calcium Hardness level also does not move much so I check that every three months. Again, for a new pool plaster you will need to check it more often but for an established pool it is pretty stable.

I check the CYA or Cyanuric Acid level at the beginning of the season – here that is in April and maybe again if I notice any water issues like low chlorine each week.

If you have a Salt Water Pool I check the salt level also at the beginning of the season and then again if problems arise. Since the salt in the water does not evaporate it stays pretty stable all season long

Here are the Ideal Ranges for the Test Factors:

FC – Free Chlorine 1.5-3 ppm

CC – Combined Chlorine 0.5 <

BR – Bromine 4-6 ppm

PH – Acidity/Alkalinity 7.4-7.8

TA – Total Alkalinity 80-120

CH – Calcium Hardness 220-350 *

CYA – Cyanuric Acid 30-70 ppm

SALT 2800- 3100 ppm > **

* Levels may be lower in a Vinyl or Fiberglass Pool

** Depending on the salt system brand

Step Two: Check the Equipment and Empty the Baskets

Keeping the pump basket and skimmer basket clean and empty each week is the most critical thing you can do for water circulation purposes. You can have a clean filter but still have a cloudy pool or a pool with algae because of a clogged pump basket.

So it is essential to empty both the pump basket and skimmer basket each week of service. I also do a general check of the equipment including checking the filter pressure and listening for any motor noises that will indicate a problem. I also check the timer or automated system for any issues. Last, I scan for any water leaks around the equipment area. Part of the job is making sure everything is running good each week.

Step Three: Clean the pool

Keeping the pool clean each week helps to make the pool look good and also reduces chemical use and prevents equipment failure. So a weekly cleaning is important. If you are pressed for time you can also invest in a good automatic cleaner to help with weekly maintenance. But manual cleaning still works well. Basically you want to skim all of the leaves off of the top and bottom, clean the tiles, vacuum the bottom and brush the walls and step areas. All of this will keep the pool looking good as well as prevent algae and possibly staining of the pool.

Step Four: Add Chemicals

It is important to do these steps in order. You can add chemicals if you want after testing the water but keep the same routine at each pool. That way later in the day you won't be trying to think back and ask yourself, “Did I add acid twice at that account?” Or, “I think I added some chlorine at the Smith residents, right?” I can't remember what I had for breakfast on a good day, so do yourself a favor and do things in order.

Basically you add chlorine in some form to sanitize the water, add Muriatic Acid to lower the pH, add Borax or Soda Ash to raise the pH and you add Baking Soda to raise the Alkalinity. This is all you need in most cases. Pretty simple.

I don't spend a lot of time on treating algae as I have several videos on my YouTube Channel that goes over that in great detail.

Here is the video that shows all of these steps for you. I also have a list of other videos that you can refer to in more detail below.

So if you follow these simple steps each week at your own pool or on a service route, you should be good to go.

Here are some videos based on when the product or procedure appears in the video:

00:03 Color Q Pro 7: https://youtu.be/2_HI3RI6VqE

00:07 Purity Pool Red Baron Leaf Rake: https://youtu.be/NALfstZc4wc

00:14 T Dula Service Cart: https://youtu.be/g-fp5l6_wZc

00:20 Remington Solar Sun Shock: https://youtu.be/v5bW6RC9udI

00:34 Tracer Salt TDS, Temp PocketTester: https://youtu.be/T7jbvN1_e4g

00:35 Taylor K-2006 FAS-DPD Kit: http://youtu.be/vYBEt1rzkeU

00:35 Pocket Pro Salinity Tester #9531600 by Hach®: https://youtu.be/5J0pA6utj28

00:38 5-Way Test Kit: http://youtu.be/mKD7fphxWJI

00:43 Color Q Pro 7: https://youtu.be/YBwjMFy2BFU

01:31 Pocket Pro Salinity Tester #9531600 by Hach®: https://youtu.be/5J0pA6utj28

01:46 How To Clean Out Your Pool Pump Basket: http://youtu.be/CBKxu1sOhs8

02:00 Pump Lid O-ring, Pool Pump not priming Part 3: http://youtu.be/pCzVDJzzuJw

02:06 Intermatic Pool Timer, tips & troubleshooting: http://youtu.be/P7iOh_Plh2g

02:14 Basic Training Part 3 (A) Salt Water Systems Overview: http://youtu.be/WlvZzGCG-0g

02:20 Pool Equipment Overview for beginners Part 1 of 2: http://youtu.be/-t--a0Z0zWM

02:25 D.E. Filter Tips, Tricks & Troubleshooting: http://youtu.be/G4Z21aoJI0g

02:38 How to Clean Your Pool Skimmer Basket: http://youtu.be/845VPkDhMCY

03:08 Basic Training Part 1: Skimming & Brushing: http://youtu.be/Bqga1N1P0EA

03:39 Purity Pool TSQC Tile Scrubber with Quick Connect: https://youtu.be/lSTdRVV6jYg

03:49 Pentair R201276 Pro Vac #214 Commercial Vac Head: http://youtu.be/JBsXyJUfp3E

03:54 Hayward W530 Large Capacity Leaf Canister: https://youtu.be/iyTaIgE_iSU

04:02 Basic Training Part 2 (A): Vacuuming the Pool: http://youtu.be/RY_T9LKtxc4

04:10 Basic Training Part 2 (B): Vacuuming the Spa: http://youtu.be/OsSv1XG7sR4

04:22 Power Vac PV2100 Portable Pool Vacuum Cleaner: https://youtu.be/xGY7tFUDFGM

04:41 SweepEase® AquaDynamic 18" Pool Brush – Review: https://youtu.be/5Zh_dwyUIdE

05:24 Nitrile Coated Work Gloves by Wells Lamont: https://youtu.be/iHz3gNiB77w

05:28 BBB method - Using Bleach, Baking Soda & Borax: http://youtu.be/RzUI52P2XJ0

05:30 Liquid Chlorine Pool Sanitizer: http://youtu.be/NqJsuCqH42w

05:32 Muriatic Acid, pH Down: http://youtu.be/HN11nOOCvG4

05:36 Borax to Raise the pH in your Pool - How much Borax to Add:http://youtu.be/jDZf78bGQ3c

05:39 Baking Soda to Raise your Swimming Pool's Alkalinity: http://youtu.be/gNhfHIrYSX8

05:45 Kem-Tek Super Shock Quick, Trichlor Shock: http://youtu.be/-yFD2C5htQQ

05:48 Trichlor 3" Chlorinating Tablets: http://youtu.be/mq58LXe0v-4

06:06 Algae in a pool & How to Treat and Prevent It: https://youtu.be/k1uH7da8bxo

Related Videos from video Outro:

Homeowner Guide to Pool Cleaning tools and equipment: https://youtu.be/ZbqxH_oLg_k

Advanced Pool Guy (Gal) Tools, Testers & Equipment: https://youtu.be/PL5_IUb7E6c

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/