Every pool owner knows that no matter how perfect their pool is on day one, it won’t maintain itself. Regular pool maintenance is non-negotiable for keeping your pool healthy, safe, and welcoming.
One of the biggest decisions for pool owners is how often to maintain their pool—should you go with weekly pool maintenance or opt for a monthly plan? Both have their pros and cons but understanding what your pool needs can save you a lot of hassle—and money—in the long run.
In this blog, we’ll look at the essential tasks your pool needs regularly, compare weekly and monthly maintenance schedules, and help you decide which option is the best fit for you.
What Kind of Maintenance Does Your Pool Regularly Need?
Before deciding on a maintenance schedule, it’s important to understand what your pool requires to stay in optimal condition. Here’s a checklist of critical pool tasks that should be completed regularly:
1. Remove Debris
Leaves, bugs, and other debris are constant visitors to your pool. Skimming the surface daily and emptying debris from baskets helps keep the water clean and inviting. Plus, it prevents dirt from sinking to the bottom and impacting your water quality or equipment.
2. Brush Pool Walls and Steps
Algae and grime love to build up on surfaces like pool walls, steps, and tiles. Brushing these areas regularly keeps your pool sparkling and prevents pesky stains or bacteria growth.
3. Vacuum the Pool Floor
Even with skimming and brushing, dirt and small debris can settle on your pool floor. Vacuuming ensures the entire body of water stays clean and clear—including the bottom.
4. Balance Water Chemistry
One of the most important aspects of pool care is maintaining the proper chemical balance. This includes monitoring chlorine, pH, alkalinity, stabilizer and calcium hardness levels. Unbalanced water can lead to murky water, algae blooms, skin irritation or damage to your pool and equipment.
5. Monitor Your Pool Pump
Your pool pump is the heart of your pool system, ensuring proper water circulation and filtration. You’ll need to regularly monitor it to ensure it’s functioning well and not clogged or operating inefficiently.
6. Clean Baskets and Filters
Your pool’s skimmer baskets and filters collect debris and small particles to keep your water clean. If these aren’t cleaned regularly, they can become clogged and reduce filtration efficiency—ultimately making the pool harder to maintain.
These 6 tasks are essential for keeping your pool maintained. How often they’re carried out—whether weekly or monthly—can make a big difference in your pool’s health.
Monthly vs. Weekly Pool Maintenance
Now that we’ve covered what your pool needs, it’s time to break down the pros and cons of monthly and weekly pool maintenance so you can understand what might work best for you.
Monthly Pool Maintenance
For pool owners who don’t use their pool very often or want to save upfront costs, monthly maintenance might seem like an appealing option.
Pros
- Cost-Effective: Fewer visits from a professional maintenance service can save you money in the short term.
- Sufficient for Low-Use Pools: If you barely use your pool—say during the off-season or colder months—monthly maintenance might be enough to keep things under control.
Cons
- Harder to Maintain Cleaner Water: Without weekly attention, debris like leaves or bugs can build up, and water chemistry can swing out of balance more easily.
- Higher Long-Term Costs: Small issues like algae buildup or unbalanced water may turn into bigger, costlier repairs when they go unnoticed for weeks.
Weekly Pool Maintenance
For pool owners who love to swim regularly and want peace of mind, weekly pool maintenance offers a more hands-on approach for you or a pool service expert.
Pros
- Improved Water Quality: With weekly skimming, cleaning, vacuuming, and balancing, your pool will consistently stay in top condition.
- Catch Problems Early: Weekly visits from a pool service can identify and address minor issues before they turn into costly repairs.
- More Efficient Chemical Use: Keeping your pool’s water chemistry balanced weekly reduces the need for shock treatments or excessive chemical use later.
Cons
- Higher Upfront Costs: Weekly professional maintenance costs more compared to monthly services. The same applies if you’re managing your pool personally and accounting for equipment and chemical costs.
Weekly pool maintenance offers a more proactive approach and consistent results, particularly for those who use their pool frequently.
How to Decide Which Maintenance Schedule Is Right for You
Not sure whether to go with a weekly or monthly pool maintenance schedule? Here are some questions to ask yourself to narrow it down.
1. How Often Do You Use Your Pool?
If you’re swimming every day or hosting pool parties every weekend, your pool’s higher usage will demand weekly maintenance. On the other hand, if your pool sees use only once or twice a month, you might get away with less-frequent cleaning.
2. What’s Your Local Climate Like?
If you live in a warm, humid climate, your pool is likely a breeding ground for algae and bacteria. A weekly maintenance schedule can help curb growth and keep your pool in pristine condition. On the flip side, cooler climates or off-seasons may not require as much attention.
3. How Big Is Your Pool?
Larger pools generally require more cleaning effort and chemical balancing compared to smaller ones. For medium to large sized pools, weekly maintenance is a must.
4. Are You Maintaining It Yourself or Using a Service?
If you’re maintaining your pool yourself and find it difficult to carve out time for weekly cleaning and chemical balancing, outsourcing to a professional service can save you effort and ensure the job is done thoroughly.
Why Liquidus Pools?
At Liquidus Pools, we understand that every pool—and every pool owner—is unique. That’s why we offer flexible maintenance plans tailored to fit your needs, whether you’re looking for weekly pool maintenance or something less frequent.
With our expert team, you can trust that your pool will always be in its best shape. From maintaining consistent water quality to catching minor issues before they escalate, we’re here to make pool care as easy and seamless as possible so you can focus on enjoying the water.
Curious about what maintenance plan could work best for you? Contact us today and get started with Liquidus Pools!