Weekly Pool Maintenance Routine That Actually Works

Want a pool that stays clear, clean, and swim-ready? The secret isn’t hours of scrubbing—it’s doing the right things once a week. A consistent routine keeps your water balanced, stops algae in its tracks, and saves you from expensive fixes later.

Here’s a weekly pool maintenance schedule that works without wasting your weekend.

Step 1: Test the Water Every Week

Pick one day each week to test your water—same day, every time. This makes it easier to stay consistent.

Each time, check:

• Chlorine

• pH

• Alkalinity

These are the three big numbers that keep your pool safe and your water balanced. If chlorine is low or pH and alkalinity have drifted, make adjustments.

Top off chlorine, pH increaser or reducer, and alkalinity booster weekly as needed.

Step 2: Use Algaecide Weekly

Even when your water looks clear, microscopic algae might be getting started. Use a weekly dose of algaecide to keep your pool protected and cut down the need for shocking later.

Step 3: Shock When Needed

After a weekend of heavy swimming or bad weather, it’s smart to shock your pool. Regular chlorine won’t remove everything, but a shock treatment clears out buildup that can lead to cloudy water or algae growth.

Step 4: Run Your Pump Daily

Keep your pool pump running 8 to 12 hours every day. Moving water is clean water. Let it sit, and bacteria or algae get a chance to grow.

Step 5: Skim and Clean a Few Times a Week

Leaves, bugs, and other debris mess with your water quality. Skim the surface a few times a week to help your chlorine last longer and reduce strain on your filter.

Step 6: Maintain Your Filter Weekly

Your filter is doing the heavy lifting, so give it some attention:

• Sand filters: Backwash every week.

• Cartridge filters: Rinse out the cartridge weekly.

• DE filters: Change the DE filter every six weeks.

If your pressure gauge rises, clean the filter right away.

Need Help With Water Testing or Chemicals?

Bring a water sample to S Kay Pools, and we’ll help you figure out exactly what your pool needs. No pressure. No guessing. Just straight-up advice backed by 38 years of experience.