Pool maintenance. It’s at the heart of owning a pool. It’s something that everyone talks about but not something that everyone knows about. How often you should conduct pool maintenance depends on the type of pool you have, how many times you use it, and of course, the climate you live in. As a general rule, you should do daily skimming, testing of your pool’s water quality once a week, and a professional check once a year to make sure your pool is clean, fresh, and running smoothly all year round!
So, if you are after some guidance on how regularly you should service your pool and the steps that you can take to make sure that it is maintained all year round, this guide will outline everything you need to know and more.
Pool Maintenance for the Individual Components of Your Pool
For a standard swimming pool in Australia, there are four main components that make up the pool. These four are the filter system, pool walls, skimmers and returns, and of course, the water. Below are some of the steps that you can take to maintain each individual part and keep your pool functioning smoothly all year round!
Your Pool’s Filtration System
The filter is the foundation of your swimming pool. Without it, your pool will be unsafe to use and expose you to potentially harmful pollutants and bacteria. It ensures that the water in your pool is circulating constantly and removes any dirt, algae, grime, or other contaminants that may impact the overall cleanliness of your water. Keeping the filter system working properly isn’t optional. It’s essential for user safety and the vitality of your pool. Investing in a good-quality saltwater chlorinator, cartridge filter, or sand filter can make all of the difference and keep your pool not only looking healthy and fresh, but also enjoyable to use.
So, how do you actually clean your pool’s filtration system? The answer is simple! Firstly, you can either invest in a self-cleaning pool system that will help to do this automatically for you in the background. While the initial cost may set you back, it is a great investment for households who are busy and on the go! Or, you can clean and backwash manually if the gauge reads 8 to 10 PSI above the normal clean pressure.
The Skimmers and Returns
The skimmers and returns? What exactly are they and how do they work? Think of these two components as the assistants to the filter. The little holes along the sides of your pool are called the skimmers, and these pull the water into the filter and push it through to make sure it gets circulated and cleaned. The returns help to bring the newly cleaned water back into your pool, and this cycle continues systematically throughout the cycle of your filter.
To make sure these are functioning properly, you need to routinely clean them by emptying the skimmer baskets and backwashing the filter at least once a week.
The Pool Walls
Algae, grime, and build-up. These are the most common culprits when it comes to your pool walls. If your water doesn’t have the right chemical balance, it can cause bacteria to grow on the side of your pool, which can be a major health risk. To help manage this, make an effort to scrub or clean the walls of your pool weekly and remove any debris from the surface of your pool. If you don’t have the time for this, investing in a high-quality robotic cleaner will automatically do this for you around the clock, making sure your pool stays nice and clean.
The Water
Your pool wouldn’t be a pool without the most important part, the water! One of the most important things to check is your water’s chemical balance. Is it actually safe to swim in? To test this, you can buy test kits from your local pool shops to see the pH level, alkalinity, and the chlorine content to make sure that all of these are coexisting together in a safe and effective way. If you have ever used a swimming pool and come out with your eyes red and burning, chances are that there was a chemical imbalance in the water. Checking this is essential!
If you are someone who really dreads doing pool maintenance manually or you simply don’t have time to clean each individual component one by one, there are pool maintenance services available to choose from as well. The choice is ultimately yours!
When Should You Definitely Consider Using a Professional Pool Maintenance Service?
Sometimes it just makes sense to hire a professional pool cleaner! The best times to hire someone include:
- If you lack the time or the equipment to do it yourself
- You are preparing for the long summer months and just want that added freshness and cleanliness
- When the algae or bacterial build-up has gotten so bad that an at-home remedy just won’t do anymore
- Or when your pool is becoming more and more difficult to maintain
One thing that you should take into consideration, however, with a pool maintenance service is the cost. Prices can vary drastically across providers. Doing your research and taking the time to really read through each one and seeing which one will work best for you is the key to unlocking the best deal and getting the most out of your service. On average, in Australia, the cost of a pool service ranges from $50 to over $350 for each individual visit.
Your Pool Type and Quality of Installation Matter
This one might not be so obvious or straightforward, but the type of pool you own and the quality of your initial installation matter a lot! For example, a concrete pool is much more susceptible to bacterial and algae build-up and will need more frequent maintenance as opposed to a pool with a fibreglass shell with a non-porous and smooth surface. The structural, plumbing, and equipment integrity of your pool also matters. The way your pool was built and installed in the beginning is crucial to avoid any cracking, poor plaster bonding, and premature delamination. That is why it is important to turn to a pool builder you can trust!
Choose Dynamic Pool Designs for Your Next Pool Project
With over 30 years of industry experience servicing the Northern Rivers of New South Wales and the Gold Coast, our team at Dynamic Pool Designs are the experts at all things pool building and installation. We will make sure to deliver a high-quality pool project that is built to last and stand the test of time. But don’t just take our word for it! With over 100 five-star Google reviews such as this one by Kera S., who said, “We absolutely love our new pool. Dynamic did such an amazing job transforming our backyard into our own oasis and we could not be more happier [sic] with the results! Every single person from sales to the workmen to their customer service have been such a pleasure to deal with during the process, always so much communication and commitment to our new pool and making it exactly how we envisioned it!” and multiple awards such as the 2025 SPASA awards for Concrete Pool Builder of the Year and Business of the Year, both in the Gold category, under our belt, we are the experts in everything to do with pools.
So, if you want to start your project and you are looking for a reputable pool builder you can trust, look no further than our team at Dynamic Pool Designs. For your free and personalised quote, contact us via our client information form or call us on 1300 760 680 today!