Seasonal Pool Maintenance

Seasonal pool maintenance is essential to ensuring your pool stays in top condition, even during the off-season. While most pools are used more frequently in the summer, it’s important to remember that maintenance doesn’t stop when the weather cools down. For those with a pool cover or heating system, you may be able to extend the swimming season or reduce the intensity of off-season maintenance. However, even when the pool isn’t in active use, regular maintenance is necessary to avoid long-term damage and costly repairs.

During the off-season, cleaning, water testing, and running the pool filter remain important tasks. Regular cleaning helps prevent debris from accumulating and keeps the pool’s surfaces in good condition. Water testing ensures that the chemical balance remains stable, preventing algae growth and ensuring the water stays safe and clear. Running the filter periodically also helps maintain water quality and prevents stagnant water, which can lead to unwanted bacteria or algae growth.

By staying proactive with seasonal pool maintenance, you can prolong the lifespan of your pool, reduce repair costs, and ensure it’s ready for use when the warmer months return. Neglecting your pool during the offseason can lead to bigger issues down the road, so maintaining it year-round is key to keeping it in great shape.

Summer

During summer, your pool will see the most use, and proper maintenance is essential to keep it clean, healthy, and safe for swimming. Follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure your pool remains in top condition throughout the season:

Activate the filtration system: Run your pool’s filtration system for 6 to 8 hours a day. This ensures proper circulation, allowing the water to move through the filter, removing dirt and contaminants, and returning clean water to the pool.
Backwash or clean the filter: If you have a sand or DE filter, backwash it regularly to remove trapped debris. For a cartridge filter, remove the cartridge and rinse it thoroughly using a hose or filter cleaning attachment to ensure it’s free of buildup.
Check and maintain water levels: Keep the water level halfway up the skimmer box opening. This helps the skimmer function properly and ensures the pump is not running dry.
Test the water regularly: Every two weeks, test the water using a home test kit or take a sample to a pool shop for professional testing. If you notice any issues with the pool, such as cloudiness or algae growth, have the water tested sooner to adjust the chemical balance.
Clean the skimmer basket: Weekly, empty the skimmer basket to remove leaves, hair, insects, and debris, preventing these from entering the filtration system and causing blockages.
Clean the pool: Use a leaf net to scoop any debris from the surface. Then, scrub the pool walls to remove any algae buildup, and vacuum the pool floor to ensure no dirt is left behind.
Run the filter after cleaning: After manually cleaning the pool, leave the filter running for several hours to filter out any debris stirred up during the cleaning process.
Monthly deep clean: Once a month, perform a deeper clean, including checking the pool’s equipment and ensuring everything is functioning properly.

Autumn

Autumn is a transitional season for pool maintenance. Depending on where you live, some homeowners may continue to use their pools well into autumn, while others begin to wind down for the cooler months. If you’re still using your pool regularly, continue following your summer maintenance routine until pool usage declines. However, as the weather changes, you’ll need to adjust your maintenance schedule to keep your pool in top shape during autumn.

Clean the pool daily: Use a leaf scoop to remove leaves and debris from the pool’s surface. Leaves left in the water can become waterlogged and sink to the bottom, which can lead to staining or clogging the filtration system.
Vacuum and scrub as needed: While you may not need to clean the pool as frequently, continue vacuuming and scrubbing the walls as needed to remove any dirt or algae buildup. This will help maintain water clarity and prevent issues when the pool is used less frequently.
Test the water every three weeks: Even though pool use may be decreasing, it’s essential to test the water quality every three weeks. This helps ensure that the chemical balance remains optimal as temperatures start to drop. Adjust chemicals accordingly based on the test results.
Reduce filtration hours: As the pool is used less, reduce the filtration time to 2-3 hours per day. This is enough to keep the water circulating and the filtration system functioning properly, while also saving on energy costs.
Backwash the filter: If you have a sand or DE filter, backwash it when necessary. For a cartridge filter, remove and clean it using a hose or filter cleaning attachment as required.
Cover the pool (if available): If you have a pool cover, use it to keep leaves and debris out of the pool. Additionally, reduce the output of your chlorinator as the pool water cools down, as the reduced temperatures require less chlorine.

Winter

During the winter months, when your pool is not in use, maintaining it properly will ensure it stays in good condition and is ready for use when warmer weather arrives. While maintaining a heated pool follows similar steps to autumn maintenance, if your pool is not being used during winter, you can follow these essential steps to preserve its condition:

Test the water quality every three weeks: Even though the pool isn’t being used, it’s important to check the water’s chemical balance every few weeks. This helps to prevent any issues with the water quality, such as algae growth or pH imbalances, that may arise if left unchecked.
Top up the water levels: During winter, water levels can drop due to evaporation or rainfall. Ensure the water level is halfway up the skimmer box opening, as this is the ideal level for the skimmer to function properly when you reopen the pool.
Check the pressure gauge on the filter: Monitor the pressure gauge to ensure the filter is working correctly. If the pressure is too high or low, you may need to clean the filter. If you’re unsure of the ideal pressure, contact a local pool professional for advice.
Clear the debris from the skimmer basket: Leaves, twigs, and other debris can accumulate in the skimmer basket even during the winter months. Make sure to empty it regularly to prevent blockages or damage to the filtration system.
Backwash the filter: If you have a sand or DE filter, backwash it as needed. For a cartridge filter, remove it and clean it with a hose or filter cleaning attachment. Cleaning the filter reduces the likelihood of buildup and keeps the system running smoothly.
Cover the pool (if available): If you have a pool cover, use it to protect the pool from debris and the elements. A pool cover will help keep the water clean and prevent leaves or snow from falling into the pool, making it easier to maintain.

Spring

Spring pool maintenance is crucial for ensuring your pool is clean, healthy, and ready for the summer season. As the weather warms up, you’ll want to give your pool a thorough cleaning and perform essential checks to prepare it for frequent use. Here are the steps to follow:

Thoroughly clean the pool: Start by using a leaf scoop to remove any debris from the water’s surface. Next, scrub the pool walls to eliminate any algae buildup, which may have developed during the cooler months. Afterward, vacuum the bottom of the pool to remove any dirt and debris that has settled. Once you’ve completed the cleaning, run the pool filter for several hours to help filter out any stirred-up algae or bacteria.
Backwash the filter: If your pool has a sand or DE filter, backwash it to remove any trapped debris. For a cartridge filter, remove the cartridge and clean it thoroughly with a hose or filter cleaning attachment.
Inspect for leaks: Check the pool’s plumbing, pump, and filter for any signs of leaks. If your pool is above ground, inspect the pool itself for any cracks or leaks in the structure.
Check the water quality: Test the water’s chemical levels every two weeks. This ensures that the water is balanced and free of harmful contaminants that could cause issues during the summer months.
Clear the skimmer basket: Regularly remove any debris from the skimmer basket to prevent blockages and ensure proper filtration.
Top up the water levels: Ensure the water level is at the correct height, which is typically halfway up the skimmer box opening. If the water level is low, add fresh water to bring it back to the proper level.