1.  Test: With the help of our online Water Testing feature, regularly test your pool water and adjust the pH using the appropriate POOLIFE™ pH Adjuster.

2.  Chlorinate: Use your preferred POOLIFE™ Chlorinator to keep your pool clean, clear and healthy for swimming.

3.  Shock Treat: Shock once a week, using POOLIFE™ Rapid Shock™ or POOLIFE™ TurboShock. 

4.  Algae Prevention: To prevent algae, add a dosage of your preferred POOLIFE™ Algaecide once a week.
 

Routine Maintenance

Don’t let the length of this list frighten you.  Many of these points aren’t even “tasks” – just tips.  Our pool care experts recommend them as guidelines. The goal is to help you spend less time ‘repairing’ your pool water and more time relaxing, enjoying it.  As you’ll see, it’s actually quite simple.

Daily

• Test pH and chlorine levels daily.  Use a POOLIFE™ Water 6 way Test Kit. 
• Add the appropriate POOLIFE™ products as soon as readings deviate from the recommended ranges.
• Run the filter 12 to 24 hours.  If pool water appears cloudy, re-check and, if necessary, adjust the pH and alkalinity, then run the filter continuously until the water is clear.

Good filtration goes hand in hand with the right chemical balance in your pool water to keep it crystal clear and healthy for all swimmers.  Use a skimmer net  to remove leaves or any other debris that gets into your pool.
 

Weekly

• Vacuum manually once a week (more if needed).  If you have an automatic cleaner, run it for 8 to 12 hours at least 2 or 3 times during the week.  Cleaning helps lower the chances of an algae outbreak in the pool water and reduces your chlorine demand.
• Give the sidewalls a quick brushing at least every other week.
• Shock the pool with POOLIFE™ Rapid Shock™ or POOLIFE™ TurboShock™. This helps keep your pool water safe and inviting for swimmers.  See “Shock Treatment”  for assistance.
• If you have a diatomaceous earth (DE) or cartridge filter, watch the pressure gauge and clean the filter according to the manufacturer's directions.
• Choose a day for once-a-week duties, but be flexible.

Monthly

• Clean pool walls to remove the scum ring that forms at the waterline.
• Use POOLIFE™ Tile and Vinyl Cleaner every 3 to 4 weeks.
• Check the TA and calcium hardness (CH) and adjust accordingly.  See Water Balancing for assistance.

As Needed

• Your pool will need immediate attention after a day of heavy use.
• Extremely high temperatures, heavy winds or rain will also effect your pool water's chemistry. Following these conditions, test your pool to ensure that your water is in proper balance.  Use our Water Testing feature to get specific recommendations driven by your test results.
• Clean the skimmer and pump baskets as often as you can, especially when nearby trees are shedding seed-pods and leaves. Always check the skimmer and pump baskets following a rainstorm.
• Removal of debris from the pool and pump basket reduces the amount of chlorine necessary to keep your pool clean and healthy.
• If you have a sand filter, monitor the filter pressure gauge and backwash whenever the pressure is 5 to 8 psi (pounds per square inch) above the normal level or as directed by filter manufacturer. Backwash one to two minutes until the water is clear, then switch to rinse for one minute to eliminate residue that otherwise would have been left in the filter and carried back into the pool.
• Never backwash into a stream, river or lake.