Here’s our full in-depth guide to how to vacuum an inground or above ground pool quickly and effectively so you can get back to swimming.

What You Need To Vacuum Your Pool

• Pool vacuum head (also called a vac head).
• Telescopic pole to attach to the vac head.
• Pool vacuum hose long enough to reach every area of your pool.
• Skim vac or vacuum plate (optional if you want to use the skimmer basket).

If you’re looking for some more DIY pool maintenance video tutorials, invest in our Pool Care Video Course by Swim University®. We’ll show you the proper way to hook up your manual vacuum and vacuum your pool efficiently so you can spend more time swimming.

Frustrated by adding chemicals and trying to keep your pool clear all the time?

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A Step-By-Step Guide to Installing and Cleaning Your Pool with a Manual Pool Vacuum

Before you get started, make sure the pool pump and filter are running. You also want to check that you’re running at a good starting pressure. If you have a D.E. or sand filter and the pressure is high, backwash it. If you have a cartridge filter, make sure the cartridges inside are cleaned and ready to go. Here’s our full guide on cleaning every type of filter.

IMPORTANT: If you’re dealing with algae or cloudy water, change your filter valve settings to the waste setting if you have a multiport valve or push/pull valve. This will bypass your filter and send the dirty water out through the waste port. If you have a cartridge filter, just remove the drain plug and attach a backwash hose. Your pool water level will drop while you vacuum. Use a garden hose to add fresh water while you’re vacuuming.

1. Attach Vacuum Head and Hose to the Telescopic Pole

First, ensure the pump and filter are running. Attach the vacuum head to the open end of the telescopic pole. Attach one end of the hose to the vac head. If the hose is slippery, use a hose clamp to keep it in place.

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Weighted Butterfly Pool Vacuum Head

The weighted triangle pool vacuum head is a great way to clean your pool. The weights on the bottom of the vacuum head help to keep it in place while vacuuming.

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2. Fill The Vacuum Hose with Water to Remove Air

Place the vac head, telescopic pole, and hose in the pool, making sure the vac head rests on the bottom of the pool. Place the other end of the vacuum hose against a return jet in the pool. This will push water through the hose and drive all the air out.

Triple-check to make sure the vacuum inlet is the only line open to the pump. If not, particles and debris will also be sucked in by the pump and undo all your hard work.

NOTE: You’ll see air bubbles rising from the vacuum head on the floor of the pool. Once the air bubbles stop, all the air is out of the hose.

Our Top Pick

Telescopic Swimming Pool Pole

Get those hard to reach places with your leaf net, vacuum, or brush. This professional-grade telescopic pole is what the pros use to clean pools thoroughly.

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3. Attach Vacuum Hose to Pool Skimmer

Attach the skim vac plate to the end of the hose you’d previously placed against the return jet, block the opening with your hand, and bring it over to the skimmer. Insert it in the skimmer on top of the basket and be sure to create a good seal or suction will be lost.

If you’re not using a vacuum plate, remove the skimmer basket inside. Use your hand to block the end of the water-filled hose. Then place the hose into the skimmer inlet, making sure it’s firmly inserted into the suction hole at the bottom of the skimmer.

NOTE: Whichever method you choose will create the suction that pulls material through the vac head, up through the hose into the skimmer, and then through the filter system. If your vacuum loses suction, just follow the prep steps again to restore it.

Skim Vac Pool Skimmer Plate

This optional plate allows you to keep your skimmer basket in place when you manually vacuum your pool. Without it, you'd have to remove the skimmer basket.

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4. Start Vacuuming

Now that you’ve built a powerful siphon using your filter system, you can vacuum the floor of your pool. Start at the shallow end (if you have one) and move toward the deep end of the pool. If you have a round pool, just start at one side and move left or right across the floor.

Use long, slow, sweeping strokes to clean. Make sure your strokes overlap slightly to avoid leaving any debris behind. Rushing will just kick up debris, which will reduce visibility and take hours to settle down again.

If the water does become cloudy, give it a couple of hours to resettle, then come back and vacuum again, repeating as necessary.

If the vac head becomes stuck, switch off the pump for a second to break the vacuum force and set it free. Also, be sure to monitor your pool filter’s pressure gauge as you vacuum. If the pressure rises above the levels recommended by the manufacturer, take a break, and backwash your filter.

5. Disconnect The Vacuum and Perform a Final Clean

Once you’ve finished vacuuming your entire pool, it’s time to clean up and get back to swimming.

1. Remove the vacuum head from the telescoping pole, and drain any water still in the vacuum hose. Attach your cleaning brush to the pole, and use it to scrub away any algae, dirt, and debris from the sides of the pool.
2. Clear any debris in your pump strainer basket, and backwash the filter if you have a multiport valve and used the “Filter” setting. Here’s our full guide on cleaning your pool filter after you’re done vacuuming.
3. If you used the “Waste” setting to vacuum the pool, make sure you switch the valve back to the “Filter” setting and keep adding fresh water to your pool until the water level is restored.
4. Once you’ve topped off your water, test your pool water, and adjust your alkalinity, pH, and chlorine as necessary.
5. Rinse all your equipment with freshwater, dry it, and return it to storage. This will help keep it in top working condition and avoid unnecessary wear and corrosion.

You don’t have to dread the vac head! When it’s time to vacuum your pool—whether you’re just the hands-on type or waging war on invading algae—you can get the job done by hand with a little preparation, a lot of elbow grease, and a healthy dollop of patience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vacuuming a Pool

Looking for more help with your pool vacuum cleaner? Here are some common questions and answers.

What setting do you put your pool filter on when vacuuming?

If you’re just doing a light debris vacuum, you can keep it on the “Filter” setting. But if your pool is really dirty, it’s best to put the filter on the “Waste” setting (not “Backwash”) to bypass the filter when vacuuming. The filter is now powerful enough to remove debris that quickly.

Do you vacuum a pool on backwash or waste?

If you’re vacuuming a lot of heavy debris out of your pool, your filter setting should be turned to “Waste.” Do not use the “Backwash” setting. The goal is the bypass the filter entirely which is what the “Waste” setting does. Backwashing reverses the flow of water through your filter to clean it out.

Do you leave skimmer basket in when vacuuming pool?

Don’t Like Vacuuming Your Pool By Hand? Here are our Favorite Automatic Pool Cleaners

First of all, welcome to the club! While some people find this to be a form of meditation, it’s still a chore. And thankfully, we live in a world of blossoming technology I can help you task this to a swimming pool vacuum that acts like a robot.

1. Robotic Pool Cleaners

Independent cleaners that vacuum your pool using electricity. You plug them in, drop them in your pool, and let them do all the hard work on their own. All you have to do is empty the built-in filter bag when they get full of debris. These are by far the best automatic pool cleaners on the market, but they can be a bit pricer. Hey, you get what you pay for.

We keep an updated list of our favorite robotic pool cleaners. But here’s one we highly recommend:

Our Top Pick

Dolphin E10 Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner for Above Grounds

$599.00

Designed for above ground swimming pools up to 30 feet. It takes less than 2 hours to clean your pool with built-in water filtering and scrubbing.

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01/28/2023 03:02 am GMT

Our Top Pick

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner

Ideal for swimming pools up to 50 feet. Cleans large pools in just 2 hours. Includes dual scrubbing brushes and a built-in schedule using 3 settings: every day, every other day, or every 3rd day.

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2. Pressure-Side Pool Cleaners

These cleaners hook up to your return line and use the water pressure from your filter system to power a self-contained automatic cleaner around the bottom of your pool to pick up debris into a filter bag.

We highly recommend investing in a Polaris Pool Cleaner. But here’s our favorite one:

Our Top Pick

Polaris Vac-Sweep 65 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner for Above Ground Pools

$288.99

Connects to the pressure side of your pool and uses a patented jet sweep assembly to loosen and remove dirt and other particles from hard-to-reach places. It also has a trailing all-purpose debris bag that scoops up some of the larger items that are blasted loose from the pool floor.

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01/27/2023 11:50 pm GMT

Our Top Pick

Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure Side Inground Pool Cleaner

$579.00

The Polaris 360 automatic pool cleaner improves water circulation and helps mix chemicals and heat while it cleans the bottom and walls of your pool. It’s powerful enough to pick up larger items like leaves and pebbles, catching the debris in its own filter bag.

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01/28/2023 12:58 am GMT

3. Suction-Side Pool Cleaners

This is just an automatic version of vacuuming your pool manually. They hook up the same way you do when you vacuum your pool manually. The biggest difference, however, is that they move around the bottom of your pool by themselves. That way, you don’t have to stand there in the hot sun and do it yourself.

However, we recommend if you’re going to make this investment, that you go for a pressure-side or robotic cleaner. That said, here’s our favorite suction-side automatic pool cleaner:

Our Top Pick

Pentair Kreepy Krauly E-Z Vac Suction-Side Above Ground Pool Cleaner

$246.07

This Kreepy Krauly pool vacuum attaches directly to your pool skimmer line and is powered by your pool’s pump, using an internal free skimming valve to automatically regulate water flow, ensuring the unit is cleaning at the proper speed.

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01/27/2023 09:30 pm GMT

Our Top Pick

Kreepy Krauly Suction-Side Automatic Inground Pool Cleaner

$328.49

It connects directly to your pool filter system and includes 32 ft. of hose. It's powerful, balanced, and doesn't have any hammering noises (common in other suction-side pool cleaners) for quiet operation.

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01/27/2023 06:43 pm GMT

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

Happy Swimming!

The post How to Vacuum Your Pool Super Quick appeared first on Swim University®.

When you know how your pool works, the best ways to care for it, and how to plan for it, you’ll be ready to solve just about any potential pool problem that floats your way.

Good Pool Maintenance Begins with Knowing Your Pool

Before you can properly enjoy or care for your pool, you might need to brush up on all the parts of your pool. Knowing the basic parts of your pool, and their functions, helps you keep everything running smoothly—and makes it easier to resolve issues when they occur.

Looking for a full in-depth video course on swimming pool maintenance? Check out The Pool Maintenance Video Course and become a pool care master so you can effortlessly keep your water clean and clear all season.

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The Basic Components of a Swimming Pool

Every type of swimming pool has four components that need regular care. These include:

1. Pool Water

It might seem like a no-brainer but the water in your pool is key to lasting pool happiness. Keeping it clean, clear, and balanced protects you and your family from contaminants and pollutants. It also helps you avoid costly hardware repairs due to corrosion or mineral build-up, and helps your whole pool last longer.

2. Pool Interior

The walls of your pool liner are in constant contact with pool water, and everything that enters it. Keeping these surfaces in good repair, and clear of algae, mold, and debris, will help keep your pool clean and safe.

3. Pool Filter System

The pumping heart of your pool is also its liver. OK, that sounds a little weird. But think about it: your pool pump draws water keeps your water circulating, like your heart does with your blood. Your pool filter clears dirt and other contaminants from your water just like your liver filters last night’s cheese fries from your blood.

Both protect you and your pool from harm. Without a functioning filter system, your pool will soon be a cloudy, polluted, and unswimmable mess.

Depending on your setup, you might have a cartridge filter, a sand filter, a diatomaceous earth (D.E.) filter. Or, if you have a salt water system, a salt water chlorinator.

4. Pool Skimmers and Returns

If your pool’s filter is its liver, then your skimmers and returns are its veins and arteries. Your skimmers—not to be confused with a net skimmer, the cleaning tool attached to a telescoping pole—pull water into the filter for cleaning, while the returns push the cleaned water back into your pool. And like your veins and arteries, they work best when they’re clean and clear of obstructions.

No two pools are alike, and you’ll no doubt encounter pool maintenance challenges specific to your pool as time goes on. But if you’ve got a firm grasp on these four pool components, you’ll be well equipped to face down most upkeep challenges.

The Three C’s of Proper Pool Maintenance

The foundation of effective pool care is built on three simple but important concepts: circulation, cleaning, and chemistry.

1. Good Water Circulation

In your pool, moving water is cleaner, clearer, and safer. Proper pool circulation is key to healthy and safe swimming.

A pool with good circulation rarely has issues like cloudy water or pool algae infestation. Keep your pump and filter system running daily to maximize circulation.

How long should you run your pool pump? Ideally, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But since that’s not feasible for everyone’s budget or equipment, we recommend running your filter at least 10 to 12 hours a day. That’ll turn the water over a few times and help keep your pool safe and clean.

The other key component to good pool circulation is frequently backwashing your filter. Backwashing refers to reversing the flow of water through your filter and shunting the dirty water and built-up contaminants to the waste port, carrying them out of your pool.

If you’re not sure how to clean a pool filter, it’s imperative to learn and make it part of your regular pool care routine.

Tip: If your pool has a sand filter, add a cup of D.E. powder to boost its filtering power. Cloudy water will clear more quickly as the D.E. aids your sand filter in straining fine particles.

2. A Pool Cleaning Schedule

If it has proper circulation, you’ve already made cleaning your pool much easier. But you’ll still need to apply some good old-fashioned elbow grease. The basic tools you’ll need are:

• Net skimmer
• Pool brush
• Pool vacuum

Both Mother Nature and the folks using your pool bring all sorts of wild and wacky things into your pool, from leaves, mold, and the odd duck or frog to residues from shampoos, perfumes, and hair products. Add in the risks of bacterial contamination, and cleaning your pool becomes an absolutely essential part of safe swimming.

Skim, brush, and vacuum your pool weekly, at a minimum. This will keep debris out of your water, and your walls sparkling clean. Baking soda paste works particularly well as a basic scouring cleaner that won’t damage delicate tile or a vinyl liner when you brush.

An automatic pool cleaner can significantly cut your pool cleaning time. It won’t eliminate the need for regular skimming and brushing, but it’ll make both tasks easier, freeing you up to spend time enjoying your pool instead of cleaning it.

You can also make your cleaning life easier with a few unorthodox additions to your pool. Toss a few tennis balls into your skimmer basket, or even right into the pool, and they’ll absorb surface oils left behind by suntan lotion, cosmetics, etc. You can also wrap your skimmer baskets with pantyhose to create an extra-fine filter that’ll catch more contaminants than a skimmer alone.

Simply replace both the tennis balls and the pantyhose when they start to show signs of wear.

Tip: If you have an inground pool, the drains built into the bottom of the deep end will help pull water into the filter and make it easier to clear debris loosened during cleaning. Above ground pools don’t have these drains, but you can get the same water-clearing boost with a manual pool vacuum.

Simply attach your vacuum to your filter system and place it in the middle of your above ground pool, making sure the vacuum is upside down. Turn it on, and it’ll act as a main drain to help you clear cloudy water more quickly.

3. Balancing Your Water Chemistry

Step away from the Bunsen burner. Pool chemistry might sound intimidating and complicated, but you don’t have to worry. While it is an essential part of effective pool maintenance and water care, basic pool chemistry is surprisingly straightforward.

The most important tool in your bag of water care tricks is your water testing kit. You wouldn’t season your stew without tasting it. So before you reach for the chemicals, do some pool water testing. Understanding what’s in your water, and what isn’t, is the first step to balancing it.

The three most important parts of pool water chemistry are:

• pH levels: The measure of how acidic or basic your pool water is. Low pH levels are acidic, while high levels are basic. The ideal range for your pool is 7.4 to 7.6.
• Alkalinity: Works as a pH buffer and helps avoid huge spikes in basicity or acidity. The ideal range is 100 to 150 parts per million (ppm). And you can use baking soda to increase your pool’s alkalinity level.
• Sanitizer levels: The amount of chlorine, bromine, etc. in your pool water. Proper levels vary depending on which type of sanitizer you choose.

Once you know your pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels, you can start to add chemicals to tweak your water balance. Take your time, follow all the directions, and be sure you know what each chemical does and how it’ll affect the water, and the folks who swim in it, before you add it.

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Don’t Forget to Add Pool Shock!

Every once in a while, your sanitizer will need a little help, especially after a rainstorm, or if a lot of people have been using the pool. To make sure your pool stays clean even when the sanitizer is maxed out, add pool shock on a regular basis.

Create a Maintenance Schedule

As you learn more about your pool and how to care for it, your to-do list might start to seem a little intimidating. Creating a pool maintenance schedule makes it easy to stay organized and make sure important tasks don’t slip through the cracks.

Not only will you be able to stay on top of basic upkeep, but you’ll be able to plan ahead for more advanced pool maintenance tasks like closing your pool, caring for it during the off season, or getting your swimming pool ready to roll when pool season returns.

Keep it Simple

Write down your pool maintenance schedule and tape it on the wall, fridge, or even somewhere near your swimming pool. If others in the household are available on certain days to do some of the simple maintenance tasks, jot down a name beside each task and share the workload.

3 Tips for Vacation Pool Maintenance

Being that most of our readers take summer vacations and own swimming pools, I figured I would share a few tips for vacation pool maintenance. I used to get asked this question a lot when I worked at the pool store. It’s not as hard as you might imagine.

1. Find a Neighbor or a Friend

This is the key to success when it comes to keeping your swimming pool clean while you’re away.

The ideal candidate is someone who owns a pool themselves. They should already know what to do. Tell your friend or neighbor to check on the pool once a day and provide them with a simple checklist, including:

• Empty the skimmer basket(s)
• Skim the surface of the pool
• Check the filter pressure (backwash if needed)
• Test the water with a test kit or test strips
• Add any necessary chemicals (only if they know what they’re doing)

2. Get A Pool Pump Timer

Hopefully, your pump already has a timer. If not, I would invest in one. They are a crucial part of proper pool care.

Set the timer to run the pool at least 8 to 12 hours a day. If you can split up the times, great! If not, it won’t be a problem for it to run 24 hours a day. Running your pump and filter is very important to keep your pool clear and it’s better to leave a timer in charge rather than a human.

3. Get Your Water Checked Before You Go

Take a sample of your pool water to your local pool store and get it professionally checked.

Make sure when you get it checked that you correct any issues before you go. You want to make sure that your pH and alkalinity are properly balanced and your sanitizers levels are correct.

• pH: 7.4 to 7.6
• Alkalinity: 100 parts per million (ppm) to 150 ppm, with 125 ppm being ideal
• Calcium Hardness: 175 ppm to 225 ppm, or 200 ppm to 275 ppm for concrete and plaster pools
• For Chlorine Pools: 1 ppm to 3 ppm
• For Bromine Pools: 3 ppm to 5 ppm
• For Biguanide Pools: 30 ppm to 50 ppm
• For Salt Water Pools: 0.5 ppm of chlorine
• For Mineral System Pools: 0.5 ppm of chlorine

Also, make sure your pool is clean and crystal clear before you leave.

Come on In, the Water’s Fine—Thanks to You

Owning a swimming pool is one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy fun in the sun at home. Yes, it needs regular care, but that doesn’t mean you’ll spend your life shackled to a vacuum or fiddling with your chemistry set.

In fact, when you know how your pool works, understand the care it needs and plan ahead, you might find yourself taking pride in your pool care prowess. You’ll enjoy not just your swim, but the peace of mind that comes with regular and thorough pool maintenance.

Happy Swimming!

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Pool Maintenance appeared first on Swim University®.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to drain an above ground pool with or without a pump. You can watch the video tutorial below. Or keep reading for the complete pool draining guide.

When Should You Drain an Above Ground Pool?

There are only a few reasons you’ll ever need to completely drain your pool. Depending on the size of your swimming pool, you should only need to ever partially drain it, even to fix leaks. But there are several situations when you’ll want to drain out most or all of your water:

1. Your water chemistry is beyond rebalancing

Part of regular pool care is maintaining your pool’s water chemistry. But even if you’re meticulous about your pool maintenance, you can end up with a build-up of total dissolved solids (TDS). These are the by-products of all the chemicals you use to keep your pool clean that slowly build up over time. When your TDS level is greater than 2,500 parts per million (PPM), you’ll need to drain and replace some of your pool water with fresh water.

Another reason to replace your pool water? Your Cyanuric Acid (CYA) levels are too high. The only way to bring those levels down is by partially draining your pool and replacing it with fresh water.

2. You need to make structural repairs

You can handle most pool repairs without draining all of the water from your above ground pool. It’s even possible to patch and repair your pool liner while it’s still underwater. Special maintenance, however, may require an empty pool. And that includes jobs like completely replacing your pool liner or repairing your pool frame’s base.

3. You need to store your pool for the winter

If you have a smaller above ground swimming pool and live in a cold climate, you may need to drain and store it during the winter. Not only will this protect your pool from freezing temperatures, but storing your pool in the off-season may be required to preserve your warranty.

How to Prepare an Above Ground Pool for Draining

Before you drain your above ground pool, you’ll need to have a few things prepared:

• Have a water disposal plan. Check with your city for rules or regulations about how to dispose of pool water, especially if you’re draining your entire pool. Most areas won’t allow you to empty your pool water into storm drains, so you’ll need to empty it directly into the sanitary sewer line outside your home.
• Bring down your pool’s chemical levels. No matter where you’ll dispose of the water, you need to be sure your pool water isn’t full of chemicals before you do. Stop adding chemicals in the days before you drain and test your water before you empty your pool to make sure it’s chlorine neutral. Then check with your local water authority for other chemical requirements. If you need to speed up the process, consider using a chlorine neutralizer.
• Wait for mild, warm weather. Depending on where you live, you may be limited in terms of when you can drain your pool. Check with the local water authority for any rules. But otherwise, plan on waiting for a clear day that’s not too hot. Aim for temperatures at or below 85°F (29°C) to prevent damage to your pool liner.
• Turn off pumps, filters, heaters and automatic timers. If you have any pool equipment with automatic timers, like pumps, turn them off before you start draining. If the water level falls below the skimmer line and the pump turns on, it can overheat.
• Plan to stay near your pool when it drains.
  Never leave your pool unattended while it’s draining or refilling. You can expect it to take 8 to 14 hours to drain, based on the size of your pool and whether you’re using a pump or a hose. And keep in mind that you’ll also spend about the same amount of time filling it up again (check out our pool fill time calculator to help you determine how much time it’ll take to drain or fill your pool).

3 Ways to Drain an Above Ground Pool

You have three options for how to drain an above ground pool: siphoning water with a garden hose, using a submersible pump, or using your pool’s drain adapter.

If you only need to partially drain your pool because you need to adjust your water chemistry, siphoning the water out with a garden hose is an easy option. However, if you need to completely drain a larger pool, you’ll want to use a sump pump to speed up the process.

Finally, if you’re draining a pool to store it during the winter months in a colder climate, you may want to use your pool’s built-in drain adapter (if there is one).

Here’s a step-by-step walk-through of each method.

How to Drain an Above Ground Pool Without A Pump: Garden Hose Siphon Method

If you’re only partially draining your pool or you don’t want to use a pump, you can use a garden hose to siphon out your pool water. It will take longer than using a pump, but this easy, DIY method means you won’t need to buy or rent any equipment.

The easiest way to create a siphon is by submerging the entire garden hose underwater and then removing one end of the hose out of the pool:

1. Submerge the entire hose underwater in the pool. Hold both ends below the surface until the air bubbles stop. This means the hose is now full of water.
2. Place your hand over one end of the hose. While keeping that end covered, pull that end of the hose out of the water.
3. Place the end you’re holding on the ground at a lower level than the pool’s waterline. When you move your hand away, the water should start siphoning out. The hose on the outside of the pool needs to be lower than the water level in the pool. And make sure the end that’s in the water remains under the surface.

If your water level is too shallow for this method or you’re not getting a siphon, you can speed up the process by attaching your garden hose to your house’s spigot (or outdoor faucet).

How to Make a Garden Hose Siphon with a Spigot

1. Connect one end of your garden hose to your spigot and place the other end in your pool. This setup is the same as if you were going to fill up your pool with water. Make sure the end of the garden hose that’s in the pool is secured or weighed down so it won’t pop out.
2. Turn on the water. Water should be running through your hose and filling your pool.
3. Once the hose is completely full of water, unscrew it from the spigot. Place that end of the hose on the ground and then turn off your spigot. This should create a siphon at this point and water should be draining from your pool out the hose. Just make sure this end of the hose is lower the water level in your pool.

Keep in mind that your hose siphon will get slower and slower as the water level decreases. If you have a larger above ground pool, it can take several days to complete the draining process. It’ll also leave an inch or two of water at the bottom of your pool liner. Any remaining water can be removed by a shop vac.

By the way, if you want more pool care tips like this one, check out our Pool Care Video Course.

Frustrated by adding chemicals and trying to keep your pool clear all the time?

We cut out all the confusion of pool maintenance in this easy-to-read illustrated ebook and video course. It'll help you save $100 right away on pool care!

Click Here to Learn More

How to Drain an Above Ground Pool With a Sump Pump

Using a submersible electric pump, a.k.a. a sump pump, to drain your pool is much quicker than using a garden hose. And if you need to drain your pool every winter, buying a sump pump can be a worthwhile investment. But you can also rent one from a local hardware store if it’s a one-time job and you want to save some money.

You’ll need:

• A submersible pump (aka a sump pump)
• A garden hose
• A shop vac (optional)

Make sure the power cord of your sump pump is long enough to reach the bottom of the pool from the nearest outlet. While it is possible to use an extension cord, it needs to be heavy-duty enough to handle a sump pump.

1. Attach the garden hose to your sump pump.
2. Locate your house’s clean-out port. This is usually in the ground in your front yard near a water spigot. Open the clean-out port by unscrewing the cap. Unravel your garden hose and place it inside the port. Just keep in mind that your hose won’t be sanitary afterward.
3. Place the sump pump underwater in the middle of your pool floor. Turn on the sump pump by plugging it in. Remember, try not to use an extension cord. At this point, water should be flowing through the hose.
4. Monitor your water flow. Carefully watch the pump, hose, and power cords to make sure everything is running smoothly and that the water is properly draining into the clean-out port. Remember, never leave a sump pump running unmonitored.
5. Turn off your pump once the water level is too low. Once the water level is low enough that the pump isn’t pushing water out, turn it off and take it out of the pool. It’s okay if you still have a few inches of water at the bottom. If you need to remove all of the water, use a shop vac.

How to Drain an Above Ground Pool With a Drain Adapter

If you have an Intex, Coleman, or other temporary above ground pool, your pool may have a drain adapter. This allows you to drain the pool faster if you have to take it down at the end of the season.

1. Connect the drain plug to a garden hose before opening the value. Without a hose, the water will drain around and underneath the pool, softening the ground your pool sits on. You may need an adapter to connect your garden hose to your pool.
2. Place the other end of the garden hose away from the pool. Be sure it’s not draining into a neighbor’s yard.
3. Monitor the flow of water. Depending on how many gallons of water your pool holds, you may need to move your hose occasionally. Remember, your water shouldn’t be flowing into a storm drain.

How to Refill Your Above Ground Pool

If you’re making repairs or adding fresh water, don’t plan on leaving your pool empty or dry for too long. Sunlight and weather can damage the liner of an empty pool. So as soon as you’ve completed your repairs, start refilling your pool. Consider using multiple garden hoses to speed up the process.

Once the water reaches halfway up your skimmer, you can turn on your pool pump and filter again. Then retest and rebalance your water. If you need help figuring out the right chemistry levels for your pool, check out our guide on Basic Pool Chemistry 101.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Drain an Above Ground Pool

Looking for more help with draining your pool? Find answers to the most common questions here.

How long does it take to drain an above ground pool?

It can take anywhere from 8 to 14 hours to drain your pool, depending on how large it is and whether you use a garden hose or a sump pump. Do not leave a sump pump unattended as you drain.

What’s the fastest way to drain an above ground pool?

Using a submersible pump is the fastest way to drain your pool. It acts like a vacuum to remove water quickly, but you’ll need to monitor it while it’s running. A garden hose siphon is another option for draining out water, but it will take much longer.

How often do I need to drain an above ground pool?

It is rare that you will ever have to completely drain an above-ground pool, unless you take it down every year for the winter. Otherwise, most minor leaks and liner repairs can be done while there is still water in the pool. However, if your cyanuric acid or Total Dissolved Solid levels are too high, you’ll need to partially drain and replace your water.

How do I drain my above ground pool without a pump?

You can drain your above ground swimming pool using a regular garden hose and creating a siphon. It will just take much longer than using a sump pump and the siphon will start to slow down as your pool’s water level gets low.

Can I drain my pool with my pool pump?

Never use your pool pump to drain an above ground pool. You’ll pull air into the suction line, which can damage or burn up your pump. Always use a submersible pump to drain an above ground swimming pool.

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

The post How to Drain an Above Ground Pool (Even Without a Pump) appeared first on Swim University®.

But if you don’t have the room in your yard, or the gold coins in your McDuck vault, for a traditional swimming pool, Intex pools offer a budget- and space-friendly alternative. Want a pool that’s easy to set up in the spring and then store when summer ends? Explore pool ownership without a life-changing commitment.

Intex Pools vs. Traditional Pools

Compared to inground or above ground models, Intex pools require less investment and zero construction. Options range from basic inflatables to steel-framed models you can convert to a permanent part of your yard. They often include a ground cover and debris cover.

Intex pools often include cartridge filters and pumps as well, which makes it easy to get swimming sooner. The filter pump’s capacity varies with the pool size you choose. Intex pumps also have a built-in ground fault circuit interrupter that automatically shuts down the pump if any electrical current is exposed to water.

Intex 28633EG Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump for Above Ground Pools - 2500 GPH Pump Flow Rate - 110-120V with GFCI

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Types of Intex Pools

The shared foundation of these above ground pools is a liner made of triple-ply polymer. More elaborate versions add a frame to improve durability.

You can choose from several different sizes and styles, depending on your needs.

Easy Set Intex Pools (Inflatable)

The smallest and most basic model lets you blow up some fun without blowing your space or investment budget. You can inflate the top ring, fill the pool, and get swimming as soon as your water’s balanced.

Easy Set pools are round and range from 8 ft. (2.4 m) to 18 ft. (5.6 m) in circumference and 30 in. (76 cm) to 48 in. (122 cm) in height.

Intex Easy Set Pool Set with Filter Pump, Ladder, Ground Cloth & Pool Cover - 15 ft. x 48 in.

$529.99

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01/27/2023 11:14 pm GMT

Metal Frame Intex Pools

More durable than Easy Set model, this circular pool boasts a strong frame of powder-coated steel to resist rust and weathering. It also sports a band of reinforced polymer material that circles the whole pool like a girdle for extra support—something we wish we could get when swimsuit season rolls around.

Metal frame Intex pools have an 18 ft. (5.6 m) circumference and stand 48 in. (122 cm) high.

Intex Metal Frame Pool Set with Filter Pump, Ladder, Ground Cloth, and Pool Cover - 18 ft. x 48 in.

$784.53

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01/27/2023 10:59 pm GMT

Oval Frame Intex Pools

A slightly different take on the traditional rectangular pool, these babies straddle the line between the Easy Set’s convenience and the durability of higher-end Intex pools. The elongated shape fits into narrow backyards that might not otherwise accommodate a pool.

This model also makes a perfect lap pool if one of your crew has Olympic aspirations or their eye on crossing the English channel, wot wot.

Oval Frame Intex Pools are available in two sizes:

18 ft. (5.6 m) long by 10 ft. (3 m) wide by 42 in. (107 cm) high

20 ft. (6.1 m) long by 12 ft. (3.7 m) wide by 48 in. (122 cm) high

Instead of all-around legs, these pools use a snap-on frame that provides support where it’s needed most without taking up extra space.

Intex Oval Frame Pool Set with Filter Pump, Ladder, Ground Cloth and Pool Cover - 18 ft. x 10 ft. x 42 in.

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Ultra Frame^® Intex Pools

Boasting a larger footprint, the cream of the Intex crop has upgraded materials and aesthetics that more than justify their somewhat higher price tag. Their powder-coated steel frames are rust resistant and extremely strong, and the extra-durable three-ply liner and exterior band feature an upscale grey and white color scheme.

Round Frame Ultra Intex Pools range from 14 ft. (4.3 m) to 16 ft. (4.9 m) in circumference and from 42 in. (107 cm) to 48 in. (122 cm.) high.

Rectangular Frame Ultra Intex Pools are available in 18 ft. (4.9 m) long by 9 ft. (2.7 m) wide by 52 in. (132 cm) high, or32 ft. (9.8 m) long by 16 ft. (4.9 m) wide by 52 in. (132 cm) high.

These pools often include a cartridge filter pump, but you can spend a bit more to get a model with a sand filter pump instead.

Prism Frame Intex Pools

Nab the perks of the most luxurious Intex pools—in a more compact package. You can get a sharp-looking showstopper without buying more pool than you need.

Like their bigger cousins, these models have a powder-coated steel frame that’s designed to fit together without bulky extra pins. They also have the premium color scheme.

Round Frame Prism Intex Pools range from 10 ft. (3 m) to 24 ft. (7.3 m) in circumference and from 30 in. (76 cm) to 52 in. (132 cm) high.

Rectangular Frame Prism Intex Pools are 16 ft. (4.9 m) long by 8 ft. (2.4 m) wide by 48 in. (122 cm) high. They have an enhanced, full-body version of the frame used on Oval Frame Intex Pools.

Square Frame Prism Intex Pools range from 14 ft. (4.3 m) to 16 ft. (4.9 m) in circumference and from 42 in. (107 cm) to 48 in. (122 cm) high.

How to Care for Your Intex Pool

Don’t let the convenience or its potentially temporary installation fool you. Intex pools have all the same needs as the fanciest rooftop retreat or humblest suburban “cement pond.” Regular maintenance keeps Intex pools in prime condition.

Your new backyard oasis needs a pump, filter, and a few tools to keep it clean and running smoothly. A little homework might be required to master regular maintenance and the right mix of chemicals to keep the water clean and sanitary. You can also choose whether to clean and store your pool during the off season, or let it winter in place.

Start with the Basics

Before you dive in, take some time to get to know your Intex pool. Figure out how and when you’ll be lavishing all this tender lovin’ care on your new pool. If you’re a new pool owner, familiarize yourself with the “three Ts” of pool ownership: Tools, Techniques, and Terminology.

You don’t have to enroll in a night class at the learning annex, but developing a solid understanding of what your pool needs is the first step to enjoying it safely. Plus, you won’t have to listen to your weird neighbor making fun of you for wearing the skimmer as a hat.

Stock Up

If you don’t already have them, stock up on pool care tools, including:

• telescoping pole
• skimmer
• pool vacuum
• nylon-bristled pool brush
• extra hoses
• test strips or a water testing kit
• adequate supplies of:
  • chlorine or your preferred sanitizer
  • regular pool shock or non-chlorine pool shock
  • any other chemicals needed to keep your water balanced

Our Top Pick

Complete Liquid Test Kit for Pools and Hot Tubs

A simple but effective liquid test kit for chlorine pools and hot tubs.

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Get on a Schedule

Knowing what to do and how to do it leads to knowing when to do it. Set up a pool maintenance schedule for the season or, if you plan on making your Intex pool a permanent fixture, the full year.

Planning ahead can help you budget the time and money you invest in your pool so you can avoid nasty surprises and prepare for larger expenditures of both when needed.

Balance Your Water

Any pool with unbalanced or unsanitary water is a pool nobody can enjoy. It’s gross, might be hard to look at, and can even make you sick. Understanding basic pool chemistry is critical to safe, happy swimming.

Monitoring and adjusting pH and alkalinity levels is just as important with Intex pools as any others. Pay attention to your water hardness and sanitizer levels too, but the foundation of healthy pool water is balanced pH and alkalinity, because balanced water helps your pool sanitizer do its job more effectively.

Before you swim, grab your water testing kit and test your pool water. Take a look at your pH levels. The ideal pH range for a swimming pool is 7.4 to 7.6.

Aim for an alkalinity level of 100–150 parts per million (ppm). Alkalinity protects your pool from wild changes in pH by buffering it against sudden shifts.

If your pH is too low, your water is acidic. Add a base, like sodium bicarbonate (a.k.a baking soda), to your water to raise the pH. If your water’s pH is too high, or basic, add an acid such as sodium bisulfate, also known as dry acid or pH decreaser, to lower it.

Keep in mind that adding an alkalinity increaser will also raise your water’s pH, so be sure to monitor all levels carefully. Here’s more information on using baking soda to raise your pool’s alkalinity and pH.

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Baking Soda

Perfect for raising total alkalinity and pH in your pool along with cleaning tile and more. You'll need plenty on hand.

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Make testing your water part of your daily pool care routine, and it’ll be easy to keep your water where it needs to be—and nip any potential problems in the bud.

Our Top Pick

pH Decreaser for Pools

Use this chemical to lower just the pH level in your pool water.

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How to Shock Your Intex Pool

Under normal conditions and for optimal sanitizing, the chlorine levels in your pool will be in the range of 1–3 ppm. But as chlorine in the water hammers away at contaminants and gets bound up with them, you need a way to recharge it. Regular doses of pool shock are the answer.

Shocking your pool breaks the bonds between your pool’s chlorine and the contaminants it’s attached itself to, freeing it to sanitize once more. Shocking your pool kills off bacteria and algae that might otherwise be setting up shop.

How often you shock depends on how often you use your pool, and the climate you’re living in. We recommend shocking Intex pools every week, especially if you’re having a heat wave or heavy rains. Heat and excess water can knock your chlorine levels to sub-par levels pretty quickly.

Use a pool shock with a decent amount of available chlorine, and run your filtration system after you shock your pool. The water might appear cloudy after you shock, but will clear as it’s filtered.

Our Top Pick

Calcium Hypochlorite Pool Shock (Cal-Hypo Shock)

This fast-acting, quick-dissolving swimming pool shock from DryTec kills bacteria, controls algae, and destroys organic contaminants in pools. It comes in easy-to-use 1-pound bags.

Use the entire contents of the bag when opened. If any granules settle to the bottom of the pool use brush to disperse them. Add the right dosage of this product during evening hours while the filter pump is running.

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The Importance of Proper Filtration

You can think of your filtration system as your pool’s kidneys. If they don’t get a chance to work, all sorts of icky things can build up in a flash. Your filter pump circulates the water, evenly distributing sanitizer and other chemicals while cleaning the water.

Run your filter pump for at least 12 hours a day, every day. This will make sure all the water in your pool circulates at least once. In an ideal world of bottomless money vaults, you could run your pool pump 24 hours a day, but 12 hours is a good compromise.

Replace the cartridge filter at least once a year, or when you open and close it if you store your pool during the off season. Also replace it when it’s worn, torn, or as recommended by the manufacturer to make sure your water is as clean as it can be.

How to Clean Your Intex Pool

People. Debris. Rain. Critters. It might seem like everyone, and everything, wants to take a dip in your pool. And while you’ve probably invited at least some of them to join you for a dip, they bring with them assorted bits and bobs that can ruin your swim.

Leaves, sand, dirt, and other visible debris are not only unsightly, but can clog your filter system and throw your water chemistry out of whack.

The same is true for the lotions and potions swimmers can bring into the water, from soap and perfume to sweat, dead skin, and, er, other bodily fluids.

Just like you, your pool’s at its best with a regular daily cleaning. Our motto is simple. On the whole, cleaning the pool is good for the soul. Or at least the pool.

Use a skimmer to remove visible debris every day. If your pool isn’t seeing much use, or you somehow have the one pool on earth that doesn’t attract leaves from five counties away, you can probably get away with brushing and vacuuming every other day. But if it’s party central for you and the trees, brush and vacuum daily.

Make sure you use a pool brush with nylon bristles only. The vinyl liner needs a gentle touch and might tear or scratch if you use a stainless steel pool brush.

Our Top Pick

Heavy Duty Round Pool Brush

The wide pool brush has 360 degrees of strong bristles to clean hard-to-reach pool surfaces fast, including steps, ladders, slides, diving boards, and tough corners/crevices in every type of pool. This one-of-a-kind pool brush eliminates back and hip pains associated with one-sided brushes.

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Intex makes a filter-line vacuum unit that’s designed for their pools. Simply attach it to your system, and you’ll be ready to suck away sediment and other debris.

If don’t want to futz around with attaching the cleaner to your pool, make things a little easier with a rechargeable manual vacuum. It uses internal power instead of your pool’s filter system to clean. Push it along the bottom and the debris gets sucked up into a filter bag inside the cleaner. It’s a Dustbuster for your pool, without the ’70s haircut.

Intex Handheld Rechargeable Spa and Pool Vacuum

This vacuum's rechargeable batteries provide ongoing, powerful suction capability. Suitable for use with most hot tubs and above-ground pools up to 18 feet in diameter.

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Robotic Pool Cleaners

We love above ground automatic pool cleaners for saving us a lot of manual scrubbing and skimming. You probably will, too.

Small robotic pool cleaners work well with all Intex pools, except the Easy Set. Robotic pool cleaners and inflatable pools do not compute.

Vinyl walls make side-suction automatic pool cleaners a poor fit for Intex pools, so stick to manual cleaning if you’re not ready to splurge on an aquatic assistant.

Just remember, no robot can replace a human, at least until SkyNet goes live. Cleaning gives you a chance to keep an eye out for frogs and birds, as well as algae, mold, mysterious stains, and other problems waiting to happen. Even if you use a robotic cleaner, make sure to give your pool a thorough once-over daily.

Our Top Pick

Dolphin E10 Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner for Above Grounds

$599.00

Designed for above ground swimming pools up to 30 feet. It takes less than 2 hours to clean your pool with built-in water filtering and scrubbing.

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01/28/2023 03:02 am GMT

Troubleshooting Your Intex Pool

Given its simple design and DIY construction, your Intex pool probably won’t have some of the more advanced problems you might encounter with other pools. Alas, no pool’s perfect, and you might find yourself with a torn liner, a malfunctioning filter pump, or a broken support pole, to name a few examples.

Some problems, like Bermuda grass growing up and into your pool (and threatening to rupture it) have simple solutions, like a good herbicide and a ground cover mat. More advanced issues, like a sneaky pool leak or a misbehaving filter, might require some research and a little DIY repair work for you or the person you’ve bribed with ice-cold beverages to help.

You can also go right to the source and ask the horse, so to speak. Intex has an extensive library of support videos and documents for its products, giving you specific and useful information with just a few clicks. They can also help you with warranty issues, parts, and upgrades.

Stashing Versus Winterizing

Owning an Intex pool means that, at pool season’s end, you’ll have a choice other pool owners don’t necessarily have: do you clean, dismantle, and store your pool? Or do you winterize your Intex pool in place?

Freezing temperatures can cause serious damage to your Intex pool. If you need the space, don’t want to deal with winterizing, or live in an area where winter temperatures dip below freezing, stashing your pool is easy:

1. Remove all toys, floats, accessories, etc. from the pool.
2. Clean the pool thoroughly.
3. Drain the pool completely.
4. Allow the pool to dry completely.
5. Disassemble the pool.
6. Apply cornstarch liberally to the liner to prevent sticking and absorb any trace amounts of remaining water
7. Roll the pool liner to prevent creases.
8. Place the filter, manual, and any small parts into a single box to keep them together.
9. Store the dry pool components indoors until needed

If winter doesn’t get too gnarly where you live, you can winterize your pool in place:

1. Remove all toys, floats, accessories etc. from your pool.
2. Clean and balance pool water. If you have an Easy Set Pool, double-check that the top ring is fully inflated.
3. Replace strainer grid if necessary.
4. Clean and completely dry all pool accessories before storage.
5. For 10 ft. (3 m) and 12 ft. (3.7 m) pools, insert the Inlet and Outlet plug into the fitting from inside of the pool, using the provided plug.
6. For 15 ft. (4.6 m), 18 ft. (5.5 m), and 24 ft. (7.3 m) pools, close the Inlet and Outlet Plunger Valve.
7. If your pool has a ladder, remove it, let it dry completely, and store it in a safe place.
8. Disconnect the pump and filter from the pool.
9. Add appropriate winter chemicals, as suggested by your local pool dealer.
10. Install the Intex pool cover. note:Keep in mind that the standard Intex pool cover is not a safety cover. Take appropriate precautions to keep people and creatures away from, and out of, your pool.
11. Clean and drain the pump, filter housing, and hoses.
12. Remove and discard the used filter cartridge. Make sure you have a spare on hand for next season.
13. Store the pump and filter parts indoors in a dry, safe, and preferably heated place.

Intex 12' Frame Set Pool Cover

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Customizing Your Intex Pool

Who wants to be a cookie cutter? Don’t just toss an inflatable castle into the water and declare yourself Lord Fancypants, King of Summer. You can improve performance and make caring for your pool easier with a few strategic additions and modifications.

Embrace the Three Cs

The Three Ts got you started down the path to Intex Pool mastery. But to get better performance from your pool and save money while you do it, make the Three Cs part of your pool care routine.

The first and most important C is circulation. It’s the key to the other Cs: cleaning and chemicals. The better your pool’s water circulation, the less cleaning you’ll do, and the fewer chemicals you need. Control the first C, and you’ll conquer the other two.

Your pool’s return jet circulates water, but it only flows in one direction. Modifying your return jet with a circulation enhancer creates a 360° mini-maelstrom of rushing water.

It’s especially useful if your Intex pool has a heater or a salt system, since the improved flow mixes the heated or treated water throughout your entire pool more effectively.

Warm Up to Solar Pool Heating

Installing a gas heater on your Intex pool would probably lead to some pretty epic Wicked Witch of the West-style melting action, but vinyl-based psychological trauma doesn’t really play well on a sunny summer afternoon. Instead, harness the sun’s power to heat your pool water with an Intex solar pool cover.

Using this cover warms your your water during the day, and helps your pool maintain that heat even after the sun sets. Upgrade your standard cover to the solar model designed for your pool and get cookin’.

If you’re not interested in a physical cover, you can try one of the liquid solar covers on the market. Just pour it on once a month to help conserve water while gently, and safely, heating your Intex pool.

Want more power? Rev things up with a solar mat from Intex. Attach it to your pool’s filter line, and water will travel through its serpentine tubes, warming as the sun blasts the pitch-black mat. Every cycle warms your pool a little more.

Use an Intex solar pool cover with the solar mat for a killer combo. The solar mat brings the heat, and the cover seals it in like Tupperware. Well, if Tupperware harnessed THE MIGHTY POWER OF THE SUN, that is.

Upgrade to an Intex Salt System

Why settle for a pool when you can rule your own tiny sanitized sea? Stop adding chlorine to your pool and convert your Intex pool with a salt generator system.

The Intex saltwater system is a two-stage mechanism that pulls the salt’s chlorine out in the first stage, and then creates powerful, pool-sanitizing oxidizers from salt water in the second.

With this system installed, you add salt to your pool instead of chlorine. The salty water then runs through the generator, producing a steady flow of chlorinated water. The second stage, called electrocatalytic oxidation, pulls compounds out of the water that work in concert with the chlorine to kill bacteria and algae. Poseidon himself would be hard pressed to do a better job.

Upgrade Your Intex Pool Filter Cartridge

The standard filter cartridge that comes with your Intex pool is perfectly functional. But you might see improved performance with an after-market filter cartridge.

These filters may have a longer functional life, with improved filtration materials that allow you to change your filter less frequently during the season due to wear and tear.

Consider Yourself an Intex Pool Insider

Look at you, balancing beauty, price, and performance with versatility. You’ve unlocked the secrets of Intex pool ownership and customization. Forget the backhoes and the budget-busters. You’re ready to turn your backyard into a white-hot supernova of DIY swimming fun.

You’ve got everything you need to choose, maintain, and enjoy your Intex pool this season—and in the years ahead. Come on in—the water’s fine.

Happy Swimming!

The post The Ultimate Guide to Intex Pool Care appeared first on Swim University®.

But mistakes are really just opportunities to learn. Educating yourself on the most common pool maintenance mistakes helps you keep your pool safer, cleaner, and running efficiently with less mess and frustration.

Also, if you want to avoid making any of these pool maintenance mistakes in the future, invest in our pool care video course. You’ll learn how to keep your pool consistently clean with proper skimming, vacuuming, and brushing techniques. And we’ll also show you how to keep a simple, regular schedule so your pool will always be clean and clear.

Frustrated by adding chemicals and trying to keep your pool clear all the time?

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1. Adding Shock Directly Into The Pool Water

The chemical we call pool shock is basically concentrated chlorine. At high strength, chlorine can bleach anything that enters your pool. For example, it can turn black clothes pink and white clothes yellow if the concentration is too high.

Don’t worry—you can’t overshock your pool. But beyond fashion faux pas, adding shock directly to the pool water if you have a vinyl liner can be a disaster. The shock granules will sink the bottom and bleach out your liner. The bleached area becomes brittle and frail, causing leaks.

The Solution

Pre-dissolve the chemical in a bucket of water before you shock your pool. This will allow the shock to disperse more evenly in the water, protecting your liner, pool walls, and floor.

An important rule to remember when you’re avoiding pool maintenance mistakes is “Always add chemicals to water, and never water to chemicals.” Fill the bucket with water first before adding the shock to avoid potentially dangerous splashback.

Also, using warm water will dissolve the shock more easily, but it will also create the awesome-sounding but not-so-awesome-feeling chlorine steam. Slip on your protective eyewear, a chemical mask, and chemical-resistant gloves before you prep your bucket of shock water.

Our Top Pick

Calcium Hypochlorite Pool Shock (Cal-Hypo Shock)

This fast-acting, quick-dissolving swimming pool shock from DryTec kills bacteria, controls algae, and destroys organic contaminants in pools. It comes in easy-to-use 1-pound bags.

Use the entire contents of the bag when opened. If any granules settle to the bottom of the pool use brush to disperse them. Add the right dosage of this product during evening hours while the filter pump is running.

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2. Not Brushing Your Pool

You already know how important it is to vacuum your pool regularly to keep scum and gunk from building up and ruining your swim.

But just like your teeth or a hutch of Angora rabbits, your pool needs a good brushing to look its best. Whether you vacuum your pool manually or automatically, follow up with a good brushing.

The Solution

Grab yourself a pool brush and attack your pool’s hard-to-reach areas, including:

• Behind ladders
• Waterline
• Steps and stairs
• Corners and crevices

All this scrubbing keeps algae and other funky, gunky invaders at bay. Brush once a week, or more often if it needs it, for a healthy, pristine pool.

Our Top Pick

Heavy Duty Round Pool Brush

The wide pool brush has 360 degrees of strong bristles to clean hard-to-reach pool surfaces fast, including steps, ladders, slides, diving boards, and tough corners/crevices in every type of pool. This one-of-a-kind pool brush eliminates back and hip pains associated with one-sided brushes.

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3. Using An Automatic Pool Cleaner When You Have An Algae Problem

Dealing with pool algae is hard enough. Add vacuuming to the list, and you might find yourself thinking it’s time to replace your pool with something less high-maintenance, like a rare orchid farm or a meerkat sanctuary.

It’s tempting, but don’t fire up your robotic cleaner. Pressure-side automatic pool cleaners push algae and other debris up through a mesh bag. This gives the algae a nice little tour of your pool, but doesn’t remove it.

Taking things high-tech won’t help, either. They do an amazing job when algae’s not an issue, but even the best robotic pool cleaners use a fine mesh bag that’ll clog with algae—fast. The clogged gunk gets blown around the pool, and you’re back to square one.

The Solution

Solving this very common pool care mistake is easy, though a little more labor-intensive. You’ll need to break out the manual vacuum. Be sure to switch your filter to “waste” or remove the drain plug.

Yes, you’ll lose a fair amount of water, but you’ll also lose the algae. They’ll be vacuumed right out of your pool and out of your life. Here’s our guide to how to vacuum a pool manually.

4. Ignoring Your pH and Alkalinity Levels

Waaaaaay back in your high school science classes, you probably learned about the importance of balanced pH to healthy, happy ecosystems—including your pool. A low pH indicates acidity, while a high one indicates alkalinity. Too much of either is bad news.

If your pool water has a very low pH, it’s very acidic. This might seem like a good thing at first; after all, it’s very hard for algae and other invaders to thrive acidic water. Plus, acidic water sparkles and appears, at first glance, to be pristine and pure.

But as we once found out after eating some really bad gas station sushi, appearances can be deceiving. Low pH can actually damage your pool equipment, including:

• Pool pump and filter
• Vinyl liner
• Heater
• Automatic pool cleaner
• Chemical feeder
• Maintenance equipment
• Solar blanket

The Solution

Our motto? Better living through chemistry. Balancing acidity and alkalinity keeps your pH stable. Because just about anything can skew water chemistry in no time flat, make sure you test your pool water regularly.

Then adjust your levels with pH increaser, alkalinity increaser, and other essential chemicals until everything’s back in balance.

5. Backwashing Your Pool Filter Too Often

Despite its name, backwashing is NOT a secret toddler technique for leaving floaties in your soda. Backwashing cleans the media inside your filter, whether it’s sand or diatomaceous earth (D.E.). Pool water washes funk and gunk out of your filter media, then exits through your filters backwash valve drain port.

Backwashing is an important part of basic pool care, but overdoing it is one of the more common pool maintenance mistakes.

The Solution

Keep an eye on the pressure gauge on your filter tank. Right after you give your filter a thorough backwashing, take note of the pressure gauge. In most cases, it will read between 10 and 15 pounds per square inch (psi), which is the appropriate baseline for optimal filter performance.

Now, this might seem counterintuitive, but the more debris that’s caught by your filter, the better your filter will function—up to a point. Extra debris helps trap finer particles, but the benefits disappear once the buildup raises your pressure reading to around 10 psi over your baseline (i.e., 20 psi–25 psi).

When the pressure in your filter hits 10 psi over normal, you’ve probably got a nice dose of extra goop in there raising the pressure. Backwash that bad boy, and bring the pressure back down to keep your system humming along at peak efficiency.

6. Adding Pool Shock Through Your Skimmer

Some pool maintenance mistakes are relatively minor. But since making this one can literally blow up your pool’s filter system, we recommend avoiding it at all costs.

Combining calcium hypochlorite or dichlor pool shock and chlorine creates a deadly gas. If you have an automatic chlorinator attached to your filter system and you pour the shock into the skimmer, the two chemicals will combine in a very small space.

The result?

Tiny chamber + deadly gas expansion = BOOM.

The Solution

Keep your pool shock and your skimmer far, far away from one another. Always add your shock following the manufacturer’s directions, while wearing appropriate safety gear.

7. Shocking Your Swimming Pool During The Day

Chlorine in your pool water attaches itself to particles it wants to kill, leaving behind chemical compounds called chloramines. Since they irritate the eyes and skin and generally make life miserable, chloramines don’t belong in your pool.

Shocking gets rid of chloramines and helps bring your pool’s chlorine levels to a well-balanced 3 parts per million (ppm).

But while daytime is great for enjoying your pool, it’s the wrong time to shock. See, shock is unstabilized chlorine. The sun, which is not kind to pool shock at all, will burn off 1 ppm each hour, reducing the efficiency of your chemicals, and wasting your money.

The Solution

Shock at night to give your pool shock the time it needs to do its job. Also, shock your pool once a week, using about 1 lb. (.5 kg) of shock for every 10,000 gallons (37,854 L) of water, and test until you’re at or near the target of 3 ppm.

Our Top Pick

Complete Liquid Test Kit for Pools and Hot Tubs

A simple but effective liquid test kit for chlorine pools and hot tubs.

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8. Not Leveraging the Calcium Hardness In Your Pool Water

As with pH, balancing your water’s calcium hardness is essential to a clear, clean, and safe swimming pool. And while you don’t want too much because it’ll cloud the water, a little hardness is actually a good thing.

It helps extend the lifespan of things like vinyl liners, concrete, plaster, fiberglass, and filters.

The Solution

You can add calcium hardness increaser to keep your calcium hardness at the recommended level of 175 ppm to 225 ppm (200 ppm to 275 ppm for concrete and plaster pools). Add it when you open your pool to get the level where you want it. Check it often throughout the swim season, since evaporation and splash out can drop the levels too low.

Oh, and if you use calcium hypochlorite shock, you’re actually adding a little bit of calcium each time you use it. It’s a bit of a twofer for the thrifty pool owner, because it shocks and helps prolong the life of your pool equipment. Nice.

Our Top Pick

Calcium Hardness Increaser for Pools

Adding calcium hardness to your pool water will protect and extend the life of your pool walls including vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete.

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9. Running Your Pool Filter System Fewer Than Eight Hours A Day

Your pool’s filter can’t do its job if it’s not running. The more you run your pool filter, the fewer contaminants and critters can create headaches. As pool care mistakes go, this one’s pretty minor, but it’s still worth your time to clock that filter.

The Solution

Run your pool filter and pump at LEAST eight hours a day. Depending on the size of your pool, this should be plenty of time for all of the water to pass through the filter, keeping your water clearer.

10. Neglecting To Test Your Pool Water Weekly

Owning a pool comes with a whole list of chores to complete every day, week, month, and year. Your weekly water testing is one of the most important, since it can tip you off to small issues in your pool’s water chemistry before they blossom into major disasters.

The Solution

Test your pool water at least once a week, either with test strips or a liquid test kit. Then take a sample of your pool water to your local pool supply store to get a detailed analysis at least once a month.

The primary levels you should be testing for are:

• pH and alkalinity
• Calcium hardness
• Cyanuric acid (chlorine stabilizer)
• Salt and total dissolved solids (TDS) levels
• Copper and iron

You don’t need a complete, CSI-style workup every week, but definitely check your alkalinity, pH, and free chlorine levels, since they’re the core components of safe, sanitary pool water.

Our Top Pick

Test Strips for Pools and Hot Tubs

Tests for 7 important chemistries in seconds: Total Hardness, Total Chlorine, Total Bromine, Free Chlorine, pH, Total Alkalinity, and Cyanuric Acid.

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11. Wearing Street Clothes in Your Pool

Listen, we’re no strangers to fashion-forward trends. We can rock the majestic weirdness of a romphim with the best of ’em. We even thought about picking up one of those Lady Gaga swan dresses for casual Fridays a few years back. But we draw the line at street clothes in pools.

Wearing your everyday duds in the pool can introduce chemicals, fibers, and other contaminants to your water. Plus, the chemicals in your water can actually ruin your clothes. Your water will be compromised, and everyone in the neighborhood will wonder why you’re suddenly so into the tie-dyed look.

The Solution

Keep your clothes streetside and stick to swimsuits in the pool.

Every Mistake Holds a Lesson for Better Pool Care

Nobody’s perfect. From poor water chemistry to letting your Uncle Hank test his experimental beer-powered algae extractor, we all make pool maintenance mistakes.

But every goof is a new lesson on improving your pool care game. And if you take the time to learn from the mistakes of others, you’ll find you’re spending less time maintaining your pool, and more time enjoying it.

Happy Swimming!

The post 11 Common Pool Maintenance Mistakes appeared first on Swim University®.

In addition to regular cleaning, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to fight pollen in your pool, especially during the spring and summer months when it’s heavier. Luckily, getting rid of pollen is actually quite easy and won’t take very long, either.

Why Is There Pollen in My Pool?

Do you have plants in your backyard? Flowers? Trees? If so, there’s no avoiding getting pollen in your pool. In fact, even if you don’t have a lot of plants in your back yard, it can still blow in from your neighbors’ yards, and if the wind is strong, from even farther away than that.

The point is, there’s no avoiding it. You just need to be ready for when it happens. And it will happen.

Is It Pollen or Algae?

If you’ve never seen pollen in your pool, it can look an awful lot like mustard algae, or yellow algae. So before you begin the cleaning process, you need to make sure you are, in fact, dealing with pollen. The difference is in where it collects.

Algae will often stick to the sides and even the bottom of the pool and won’t be easily filtered by your pool’s filtration system. But if it’s floating at the top of the pool, and you notice some of it has been picked up by your pool’s filtration system, chances are, you have a pollen problem.

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How to Remove Pollen From Your Pool

Getting rid of it isn’t difficult. But you’ll need to be diligent to keep up with it. The sooner you get pollen out of your pool, the less of a mess you’ll have to deal with. And you can do it in just five steps.

1. Run the Filtration System

You probably don’t keep your pool filter running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But if you have pollen in your pool, the filtration system is your first line of defense. It won’t get rid of it completely, but it’s the best place to start.

At the very least, it will reduce the amount of manual labor you’ll have to do to get rid of the pollen. While it will cause your energy bills to go up a little, in the end, having less pollen to scoop out yourself makes it well worth the expense.

2. Skim the Water Regularly

Every morning use a skimmer with a very fine mesh head to pick up any pollen that’s collected overnight. You may have to repeat this process more than once a day during the heavy pollen season.

Our Top Pick

Heavy Duty Pool Leaf Net

It's a deep and durable leaf net pool skimmer that can collect a lot of debris all in one skimming. It also includes a lifetime guarantee. This is what the pros use!

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3. Add Aluminum Sulfate

Some pollen in your pool will simply be too small to be picked up by a skimmer, and may even pass right through the filter like it wasn’t even there.

To get rid of this tiny pollen, add aluminum sulfate to the water. It will bind with the pollen causing it to clump together, and making it easier for the skimmer and filter to grab it.

Aluminum Sulfate

$15.09 ($0.19 / Ounce)

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01/27/2023 09:21 pm GMT

4. Shock the Pool

Is there anything a good shock can’t fix? Well, pool shock won’t actually get rid of pollen. But it will kill anything that’s decided to get comfy in your pool because of all that lovely pollen floating around in the water.

Shock the pool in the evening, and the next morning, give it a good skim to get rid of the pollen and anything else left in the water.

Our Top Pick

Calcium Hypochlorite Pool Shock (Cal-Hypo Shock)

This fast-acting, quick-dissolving swimming pool shock from DryTec kills bacteria, controls algae, and destroys organic contaminants in pools. It comes in easy-to-use 1-pound bags.

Use the entire contents of the bag when opened. If any granules settle to the bottom of the pool use brush to disperse them. Add the right dosage of this product during evening hours while the filter pump is running.

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If you want to learn how to shock your swimming pool, click here.

5. Vacuum as Necessary

Sometimes skimming and filtering just won’t be enough to completely remove the pollen in your pool. If that’s the case, you may have to vacuum the pool manually.

This is the last resort as it will cause both your electric and water bills to go up. You’ll use more electricity to run the vacuum, and you’ll need to replace the water removed from the pool in the process.

Our Top Pick

Weighted Butterfly Pool Vacuum Head

The weighted triangle pool vacuum head is a great way to clean your pool. The weights on the bottom of the vacuum head help to keep it in place while vacuuming.

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Never dive into a pool full of pollen again. Be ready when the season starts, and that pollen in your pool won’t stand a chance against you, your skimmer, and your filter. Now if only preventing those pollen allergies were as easy!

Happy Swimming!

The post Pollen in Your Pool? Remove It in 5 Steps appeared first on Swim University®.

Or maybe it’s not about money for you. If you’re just looking for a natural pool cleaner to maintain a healthy and safe environment for your family, look around your house for some regular household products to clean your pool.

Create Your Own Natural Pool Cleaner

You really can clean your pool for a fraction of the cost of what you’d buy at a pool store.

1. Baking Soda

Making a simple paste from water and baking soda creates a non-abrasive cleaner that works wonders on pool tile and grout. You can even use it on your concrete or stone pool deck. This is probably the easiest and least expensive way to clean your pool naturally.

Bonus Tip: Baking soda will also increase your pool’s alkalinity, and is far less expensive than most alkalinity increasers. To do this, add 1.5 pounds of baking soda for every 10,000 gallons of water to increase the total alkalinity by 10 parts per million (ppm). Learn more about how baking soda can increase your pool’s alkalinity and pH.

Our Top Pick

Baking Soda

Perfect for raising total alkalinity and pH in your pool along with cleaning tile and more. You'll need plenty on hand.

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2. Bleach

Also known as sodium hypochlorite, simple household bleach (which contains 5.25 percent of sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in bleach) can get stains out of grout that the baking soda couldn’t.

Bonus Tip: Bleach can also be used to shock a pool. After all, shocking your pool is just superchlorinating it, which means raising the chlorine level to the point where it kills all the bacteria and algae that may be lurking in the water.

One gallon of 5.25% bleach per 10,000 gallons of water will raise the free chlorine level by 5.25 ppm, so go slowly to make sure you don’t surpass the ideal 3 ppm level. And make sure you use the unscented variety.

Bleach - 121 oz. - 3 Pack

$33.49

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01/27/2023 09:39 pm GMT

3. Muriatic Acid

Every five years or so, you’ll need to acid wash your pool if it’s made from concrete or gunite. To do that, you’ll use muriatic acid, or a gentler muriatic acid alternative, if you prefer.

Bonus Tip: Muriatic acid can also be used to lower the alkalinity of your water by as much as 10 ppm in a typical 10,000 gallon pool. It’s usually less expensive than alkalinity decreaser.

Important: Keep mind that muriatic acid is exactly what its name says—acid. It can cause injury if not handled correctly. Always wear acid-resistant gloves and eye protection when using it, and wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes, preferably acid-resistant boots.

Our Top Pick

Muriatic Acid for Swimming Pools

Used for lowering alkalinity and pH in your pool water. It's also used for cleaning pool filter grids, filter cartridges, and concrete pool surfaces.

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4. Borax

You may have a box of Borax sitting next to your laundry supplies. It’s touted as a laundry booster, and it’s great for getting nasty smells out of clothes. But it’s also a natural cleaner you can use around the house, which means you can also use it as a natural pool cleaner.

Simply make a paste out of it by adding water, and use it to scrub away sticky residue, slippery spots, and stains in or out of the pool. It’s not quite as inexpensive as baking soda, but still less expensive than most special pool cleaning products.

Bonus Tip: Borax can also be used to raise the pH in your pool. To do this, add half a cup per 10,000 gallons of water.

How much you need to use will depend on how much you need to raise the pH level. Go slowly with it to avoid raising the pH too much.

5. Olive Oil

OK, to be clear, you don’t want any oil in your pool water. But the pool deck is another story. Maybe you find a spot of tree sap, or a sticky spot of who knows what the kids might’ve spilled there. Head to the pantry and grab the olive oil.

It’s a completely natural pool cleaner you can apply to break down the sticky buildup, and then easily clean with a sponge, a mild soap, and warm water. You can also use it on your pool cover, plastic pool toys, and just about anything that isn’t under the waterline.

Bonus Tip: Olive oil is also a natural moisturizer. If your skin is dry after swimming, shower all the chemicals off. Then smooth some olive oil onto your arms and legs to restore your skin’s moisture and to seal in water, which further hydrates your skin.

Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 101.4 oz.

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6. White Vinegar

Have you ever looked out at your beautiful, clear pool, and been annoyed by the chalky, white grunge right at the waterline? It’s calcium buildup, and while it doesn’t damage your pool or the water, it doesn’t look great, either.

Just like you run vinegar through your coffee pot to get rid of calcium buildup, white vinegar can wipe away this eyesore in your pool. Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water, dip a sponge or soft cloth into it, and scrub that residue away. It’s OK if a little bit of it makes it into the pool water, but if you’re concerned, test the water after using vinegar, and adjust any levels if necessary.

Heinz Cleaning Vinegar

All-natural and diluted to a cleaning strength of 6% acidity.

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Bonus Tip: Vinegar also shines up metal surfaces like a champ. The pool ladder handles, for example. Just dip a sponge into the diluted vinegar, run it over the metal surface, and watch it sparkle.

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7. Lemon Juice

Speaking of shining up metal surfaces, you know what works just as well as vinegar and smells much nicer? Lemon juice, or lime, if you prefer. Citric acid is a natural pool cleaner—well, a natural anything cleaner, really. It can remove calcium buildup, grime, and in some cases, even rust.

Mix about a cup of lemon juice with enough salt to make a slurry. Think watery snowcone consistency. Apply the mixture to metal or tile with a sponge, and gently scrub the rust or gunk away. If the calcium buildup or rust is bad, try using undiluted lemon juice.

Bonus Tip: Plant a lemon tree near your pool and get six benefits: shade; added privacy; windbreak; lemons you can use to keep your pool clean; lemons to make fresh-squeezed lemonade; never having to buy lemon juice again.

8. Rubbing Alcohol

Out of vinegar and lemon juice? Check the medicine cabinet and see if you have any rubbing alcohol. Also called isopropyl alcohol, it’s good for removing sticky gunk and shining stainless steel surfaces. Be sure to dilute it with water first, making a mixture that’s 50% to 70% alcohol.

Bonus Tip: It’s a good idea to keep rubbing alcohol on hand to clean small wounds, but it’s especially important if you have a pool. If one of the kids is running around, falls, and scrapes their knee, you want to kill any bacteria on the wound not only to prevent infection and help it heal, but to keep the bacteria out of the pool water.

99% Isopropyl Alcohol - 32 fl. oz. - 2 Pack

$26.50 ($0.41 / Fl Oz)

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01/27/2023 06:55 pm GMT

9. Simple Green

OK, this one’s already a cleaner. But it’s also non-toxic and environmentally friendly, so you can rest easy using it as a natural pool cleaner. It works to remove stains and grimy residue, and can even remove small amounts of rust with a little elbow grease.

Simple Green is highly concentrated so be sure to dilute it first. The manufacturer recommends the following dilution ratios:

• Light Cleaning – 1:30
  • Example: 1 ounce Simple Green; 2 Cups water
• General Purpose Cleaning – 1:10
  • Example: 1 ounce Simple Green; 1 Cup water
• Heavy-Duty Cleaning – 1:1
  • Example: 1 Cup Simple Green; 1 Cup water

Bonus Tip: Because Simple Green isn’t caustic, you can also use it on more vulnerable surfaces such as pool covers, plastic pool toys, and vinyl liners.

SIMPLE GREEN All-Purpose Cleaner - 32 oz. - 3 Pack

$41.09 ($0.43 / Fl Oz)

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01/27/2023 10:41 pm GMT

10. Melamine Sponge

You may be more familiar with one brand’s name for this item: Magic Eraser. Simple melamine has tremendous cleaning power, and all you have to do is dampen it. No chemicals or cleaners needed. It will remove stains and sticky residue from most surfaces. Be aware, though, that it can scratch, so test it in a small, inconspicuous spot before scrubbing an entire area.

Melamine sponges are also disposable, but you can get quite a bit of use out of one sponge before you need to retire it, making it a cost-effective and essential natural pool cleaner to have in your arsenal.

Bonus Tip: Do you have vinyl pool chairs or vinyl patio furniture? They can start to look dingy after a while, especially if they’re white. A melamine sponge can make them look like new again.

Melamine Sponge (Magic Eraser)

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11. Vitamin C Tablets

Hear us out. It may sound a little wacky, but crushed vitamin C tablets are excellent stain removers. Why? Well, vitamin C is ascorbic acid. While it’s not a caustic acid, which is why we can ingest it, it’s still an acid and can remove some stains and even rust.

Crush the tablets, and scrub away stains and gunky residue on pool surfaces. Just be sure to use the tablets, and not and capsules or gel tablets. And we highly doubt vitamin C gummies will work for anything but boosting your health.

Bonus Tip: We did our best to find another cool use for vitamin C tablets, but really, the only other thing they’re good for is to take as a supplement if you’re not eating enough fruits and vegetables that contain the vitamin naturally.

Remember to Test

Before you begin, be sure you invest in a reliable test kit to properly test the water and make sure it stays balanced.

While using household products to clean your pool can save you money, never skimp on the test kit so you are sure you get an accurate read of what exactly is present in your water.

Our Top Pick

Digital Water Test Kit for Pools and Hot Tubs

This digital pool and hot tub water test kit checks for Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Bromine, PH, Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Cyanuric Acid.

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A Word of Warning

While many household products will work perfectly for your pool, always remember to check the labels to see what is actually in what you’re buying before you put it in your pool. If you don’t, you could end up damaging your pool’s lining or even the plumbing, or you could end up with poor water quality.

Also remember these products will work best in a traditional, chlorine-based system. In some cases, these products may not perform as well as the ones designed specifically for a pool.

Time to Clean Up!

Some pool supplies are simply irreplaceable. But if you’re on a budget, household products can be effective, inexpensive alternatives, and can allow you to create a natural pool cleaner, if that’s your goal.

Remember to check the labels and take proper precautions while using them to remain safe while working on your pool, and to keep everyone who swims in it safe as well.

Happy (Clean) Swimming!

The post 11 Household Products to Clean Your Pool appeared first on Swim University®.

Look, we all slack off from time to time. We’re human. But here’s the thing: if you’re not cleaning your pool on a regular basis—and the right way—there will come a day, sooner rather than later, that you simply can’t swim in your pool because it’s too dirty. And then what’s left? Running through the sprinkler?

There’s a reason cleaning is one of our 3 Cs of pool care along with circulation, and chemistry. With the right equipment and a little elbow grease, you can skim, brush, and vacuum your way to a sparkling clean pool in no time.

Why is Pool Cleaning Important?

Right now you’re probably thinking, why do I have to bother with scrubbing or cleaning my pool when I add chlorine or other sanitizing chemicals to the water? It’s a valid question, and we have an answer.

Think of it this way. When you shower, you use shampoo and soap, which are cleaning agents. But does your tub stay clean indefinitely? Of course not. Shampoo and soap are meant to clean your body, not tile, porcelain, or fiberglass. After a while, you’ll start to see buildup and icky soap scum.

And then, because your tub and shower walls stay wet much of the time, it’s possible mold will start to grow in there. If you don’t clean your tub regularly, you’ll be trying to bathe in a swamp after a while. Won’t that be fun?!

It’s the same for your pool. Chlorine, bromine, and other chemicals help keep your water clean and yes, to a degree, they also help keep the walls, floor, and surrounding areas of your pool clean too.

But chemicals won’t keep leaves and bugs out of your water, nor will they keep the walls and floor of your pool clean indefinitely. So no excuses. In addition to using chlorine or other chemicals to keep your pool clean, regular, thorough pool cleaning is also absolutely necessary.

In The Swim Cal-Hypo Non-Stabilized Pool Chlorine Granules - 25 lbs.

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Pool Cleaning Equipment

Before you get started, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary tools on hand. Having the tools you need will make pool cleaning much easier on you. And if it’s easier, you’ll be more apt to do it more often. Come on, you know it’s true.

So head out to your pool shed and take inventory. First, inspect the tools you already have. Are they still in good shape? Or do you need new ones? Next, take note of what’s missing from your collection. What do you need to add?

And if you’re a new pool owner, maybe you’re just not entirely sure what pool cleaning equipment you need. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

Telescopic Pole

Ah, the Swiss Army knife of pool cleaning. You can attach all kinds of things to the end of a telescopic pole. Skimmer nets, brushes, vacuum heads, puppets for a pool puppet show. Just a suggestion.

As its name suggests, a telescopic pole can be extended to different lengths. We recommend buying an 8-foot pole that extends to 16 feet. That should allow you to clean the walls and the floor of the pool when necessary.

Our Top Pick

Telescopic Swimming Pool Pole

Get those hard to reach places with your leaf net, vacuum, or brush. This professional-grade telescopic pole is what the pros use to clean pools thoroughly.

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Skimmer Net

This is one of the tools you’ll probably use more often than any other. Attached to a telescopic pole, a skimmer net allows you to collect debris that’s accumulated on and below the water’s surface. Leaves, bugs, twigs, hair ties—all of them can be scooped up in a skimmer net.

You have two options when choosing a skimmer net: a flat skimmer, or a bag skimmer. We recommend the flat skimmer because it’s easier to shake off the debris you collect from the pool. While a bag skimmer may hold more, it’s a pain to empty, especially when it’s wet.

Also, buy a heavy-duty skimmer net. As is true with almost everything, cheaper ones tend to break often, and you’ll just be wasting money by having to buy skimmer nets all season long, year after year.

Our Top Pick

Heavy Duty Pool Leaf Net

It's a deep and durable leaf net pool skimmer that can collect a lot of debris all in one skimming. It also includes a lifetime guarantee. This is what the pros use!

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How Often to Skim Your Pool

Here’s where you can stop a problem before it starts. To prevent debris from sinking to the bottom of your pool, skim the water daily. This will also make vacuuming easier.

Pool Brush

Break out that telescopic pole again. Once you attach a pool brush to it, you can scrub your pool’s walls and floor, removing dirt, and detaching algae before it can really take hold and grow. But what kind of pool brush should you use?

In order to answer that question, we must ask another: What is your pool surface made of? The type of material will determine the type of brush.

• Unpainted Concrete: Use a brush with both stainless steel and nylon bristles.
• Gunite: Use a brush with stainless steel bristles.
• Fiberglass, Vinyl, or Painted Concrete: Use a brush with nylon bristles only.

Just like skimmer nets, it’s wise to purchase a heavy-duty pool brush since you’ll be using it frequently, and cheaper brushes tend to break due to, well, cheapness, but also the frequent exposure to pool chemicals.

Our Top Pick

Algae Brush with Stainless Steel Bristles

Perfect for getting rid of algae. For concrete pools only!

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Our Top Pick

Heavy Duty Round Pool Brush

The wide pool brush has 360 degrees of strong bristles to clean hard-to-reach pool surfaces fast, including steps, ladders, slides, diving boards, and tough corners/crevices in every type of pool. This one-of-a-kind pool brush eliminates back and hip pains associated with one-sided brushes.

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How Often to Brush Your Pool

At least twice a week, brush the walls, ladders, and corners of your pool. Be sure to get into every nook and cranny possible to brush away any lurking algae formations. Brushing will push the algae into the water, making it easier for chlorine or other sanitizers to kill it.

Note that if your pool has developed a serious algae problem, brushing isn’t going to remedy it. You’ll need to take more drastic steps to get rid of pool algae.

You could either memorize all this information, or you could take our handy Pool Care Handbook with you for the next pool cleaning session!

Frustrated by adding chemicals and trying to keep your pool clear all the time?

We cut out all the confusion of pool maintenance in this easy-to-read illustrated ebook and video course. It'll help you save $100 right away on pool care!

Click Here to Learn More

Manual Pool Vacuum

What’s the first thing you’ll need? You guessed it—the good ol’ telescopic pole. Maybe you should get a couple of those, huh? Then add just a few more things: a vacuum head; a vacuum hose long enough to reach every part of the pool; and a skim vac or vacuum plate (if needed).

How Often to Vacuum Your Pool

Unless it’s warranted more often, it should be enough to vacuum your pool about every other day.

Note that vacuuming a pool manually can be pretty labor-intensive, especially if, say, you’re cleaning the pool after a big thunderstorm, and your pool floor looks like a forest of leaves.

There may be times when a manual vacuum can come in handy, but we highly recommend you consider investing in a robotic vacuum to make your life easier.

Our Top Pick

Heavy Duty Pool Vacuum Hose

Made to last and designed to work with standard swimming pool vacuum head and telescopic pole for manual vacuuming. The swivel cuff end connects directly onto the vacuum head, whereas the non-swivel end connects to the skimmer. 

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Robotic Pool Cleaner

What’s this? A robot that will do the pool cleaning for you? Yes, please! OK, it can’t do all the cleaning, but it can sure do a lot of it. If you’ve never seen one, a robotic pool cleaner—also called an automatic pool cleaner—is a small, self-contained unit that essentially drives around your pool sucking up debris while you sit poolside, sipping a cocktail.

The only downside to a robotic vacuum is the cost. They’re more expensive than suction-side or pressure-side cleaners (unless your pressure-side cleaner requires a booster pump), and cost more to repair should anything go wrong.

Our recommendation is to buy a high-quality robotic pool vacuum with a good warranty.

Suction-Side Pool Cleaner

This device functions similarly to a manual pool vacuum. A suction-side pool cleaner attaches to your pool skimmer. As the skimmer draws in water, it creates a siphon to your filter system.

For this reason, we don’t recommend suction-side cleaners. The potential damage to your filter should the cleaner pick up something like a rock isn’t worth the risk.

Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner

Conversely, this device works to clean the pool with the help of the water coming from your filter system. A pressure-side cleaner attaches to your return jet, and creates a water vortex that pushed debris into a mesh bag. Once the pool’s clean, you just have to empty the bag.

While this isn’t as risky to your filter system as a suction-side cleaner, it’s still not as effective or ideal a solution as skimming and vacuuming your pool to keep as much debris as possible out of your filter in the first place.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport Pressure Side Pool Cleaner

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Additional Pool Cleaning: You’re Not Done Yet!

Cleaning the pool is only half the job. After you go to all the trouble to skim, brush, and vacuum your pool, what’s the last thing you want? A bunch of leaves, dirt, and other debris to make its way into your water because you neglected to clean the deck and the filter. Don’t let all your hard work go to waste.

Pool Deck

Just spraying or sweeping is good enough most of the time. But keeping your pool deck clean isn’t only about removing visible debris. In addition to cleaning it, you’ll sometimes need to disinfect it.

Even if you use sanitizers in your pool to keep the water clean, those chemicals dissipate over time, which is why you need to add them on a regular basis.

And once the water is out of your pool and onto your deck, the sanitizing chemicals will not only dissipate, but evaporate, meaning your deck can become a breeding ground for bacteria and even algae.

Let it go long enough, and those kinds of growths can become slippery, which means your deck isn’t just dirty, it’s dangerous.

For cleaning and disinfecting, you have a couple of options. You can buy a special pool deck cleaner, which usually comes in a liquid concentrate. Or you can use trisodium phosphate, which is a water-soluble powder.

Whatever cleaning solution you use, follow the manufacturer’s instructions because how much you use and how you apply it may depend on the material your deck is made of. Once the solution is mixed, you can usually just scrub the deck with a long-handled, stiff-bristled brush.

Of course, if you have a large deck, hand-brushing it could take you all day. To make pool deck cleaning really easy, consider investing in a pressure washer. Or you can just use a high-pressure nozzle on your garden hose.

Gas Engine Pressure Washer - 2400 PSI - 2 GPM

$219.91

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01/27/2023 10:04 pm GMT

Pool Filter

No matter how much you skim, brush, or vacuum, if your pool filter is dirty, your water is dirty.
The method you use to clean your pool filter will depend on whether it’s a D.E filter, a cartridge filter, or a sand filter.

Regardless of the type, clean your filter on a regular basis, and keep an eye out for debris between cleanings.

In The Swim Liquid Pool Sand Filter Cleaner - 1 qt.

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You’re a Pool Cleaning Pro!

We don’t have to tell you what a bummer it is to be all ready to swim only to find the pool full of leaves, and not have a skimmer net handy.

Now that you know what you need to keep your pool and its surrounding area clean, you can make sure you have the right tools and chemicals on hand so your pool is always clean, ready, and waiting for you.

Happy Swimming!

The post Pool Cleaning 101: Why, When and How To Clean Your Pool appeared first on Swim University®.