Pool Equipment Maintenance: Basic How to's

A pool is one of the best things you can have in your backyard, but keeping everything in working order takes a little effort. If you ignore pool maintenance, things start breaking down fast. Pumps stop working, filters get clogged, and before you know it, you are staring at cloudy water wondering what went wrong.

I have learned the hard way that taking care of pool equipment is much easier than fixing it after it breaks. A friend of mine once thought he could ignore his filter for an entire summer. It ended up costing him a lot more than if he had just cleaned it regularly. If you want to avoid expensive repairs and keep your pool running like new, here is what you need to do.

Check and Clean Your Pool Filter Regularly

Your pool filter is what keeps the water clear by trapping dirt, debris, and anything else that does not belong in there. If it is not working properly, you will notice your water looking cloudy or green.

There are three main types of filters: sand, cartridge, and DE (diatomaceous earth). Each one has different cleaning requirements. Cartridge filters need to be rinsed every few weeks and deep cleaned a few times a season. Sand and DE filters need backwashing to flush out debris. I once waited too long to backwash my sand filter, and my pump started struggling. Turns out, the filter was so clogged that barely any water was passing through.

A quick rinse or backwash every few weeks can save you from costly replacements later on.

Keep an Eye on Your Pool Pump

The pool pump is basically the heart of your pool system. It circulates water through the filter, keeping it clean and balanced. If your pump is not running efficiently, everything else suffers.

One easy way to keep it in good shape is to check for leaks or weird noises. If you hear grinding or screeching, that is a sign the motor might be failing. A friend of mine ignored a strange humming noise coming from his pump for weeks. By the time he got it checked, the motor was completely fried. A small fix turned into a full replacement.

Also, make sure the pump basket is free of debris. If leaves and dirt pile up, it forces the pump to work harder than it should, which shortens its lifespan.

Maintain Your Pool Heater

If you have a pool heater, you know how much of a game changer it is. But like everything else, it needs some upkeep.

Over time, calcium and mineral buildup can clog the heater’s tubes, making it less efficient. If your heater is not warming the water like it used to, that could be why. I had a neighbor who thought his heater was broken, but all it needed was a deep cleaning to remove the buildup.

Flushing the system once a season can help extend the life of your heater and keep it running efficiently.

Test Your Water and Keep Your Chemical Levels Balanced

Your pool chemicals do not just keep the water looking nice. They also help protect your equipment. Unbalanced water can corrode metal parts, clog filters, and put extra strain on the pump.

Testing your water at least once a week helps you catch problems early. If the pH is too low, it can eat away at metal components. If it is too high, you might end up with scale buildup that clogs the system. A friend of mine did not realize his pH was way off, and his heater coils corroded completely. That was not a cheap fix.

Inspect and Clean Pool Hoses and Skimmers

The skimmer is your first line of defense against dirt and debris. If it gets clogged, the pump has to work harder, and the water does not circulate as well.

Every week, check the skimmer basket and clear out any leaves or bugs. If you have an automatic pool cleaner, make sure its hose is free of kinks or blockages. One time, my cleaner stopped working because a small rock got stuck in the hose. I thought it had broken, but after pulling out the clog, it was back to normal. Also, it's always smart to check your pool hoses.

Keep Your Pool Cover Clean and in Good Shape

If you use a pool cover, keeping it clean helps prevent debris from getting into the water when you take it off. It also extends the life of the cover itself.

A quick rinse and scrub every few weeks keeps mold and dirt from building up. I once left my cover sitting outside all winter without cleaning it first, and by spring, it had so much mildew that I had to replace it. If I had just taken five minutes to rinse it off, I could have saved a couple hundred bucks.

Is Pool Equipment Maintenance Really That Important?

Absolutely. Regular pool equipment maintenance keeps your pool running smoothly and saves you money on repairs in the long run. A little effort every week is much better than dealing with broken equipment or murky water.

Do you have a pool maintenance routine, or do you just fix things as they break? Have you ever had an expensive repair that could have been avoided with regular upkeep? Let me know in the comments!