Pool Care, Explained: A Q&A with Swim University’s Expert

Let’s be real… here in Alberta, Canada, pools aren’t exactly a household staple. With snow on the ground half the year and patio season lasting roughly 3.5 weeks, most of us are more familiar with hot tubs than deep ends. But for those lucky (and brave) enough to have a pool, the upkeep can be a lot. We may be cleaning pros, but when it comes to pool care, we’re diving into the deep end with floaties on. That’s why we teamed up with the experts at Swim University to get the lowdown on what homeowners should actually be doing to keep their pool clean, safe, and swimmable, and when it’s time to call in the pros. Because nobody wants to swim in regret… or algae.

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1. Let’s cut to it. How gross is the average homeowner’s pool really? Be honest. Are we swimming or marinating in bacteria soup?

Sure there are always a few pools that are gross, but I think most people do their best to keep their pools clean. However, just because a pool LOOKS clean, doesn’t mean it’s sanitary. You could have a pool that’s crystal clear, but when tested, you’ll find they have no chlorine and their pH is super low making the water highly acidic. Nothing can grow in acid.

2. What are the non-negotiables for weekly pool maintenance? Like, what do we actually have to do, and what can we pretend we did?

• Test your water chemistry – especially pH alkalinity and chlorine levels. This prevents algae and keeps your water safe. (USA) (Canada)
• Skim the surface to remove floating debris. This keeps junk from clogging your filter. (USA) (Canada)
• Brush the walls and floor to prevent algae buildup. Pay attention to corners and steps. (USA) (Canada)
• Empty your skimmer and pump baskets. Full baskets restrict water flow.
• Run your filter for at least 8 hours daily. This keeps water clean and chemicals mixed.

3. You’ve got all the gadgets and gizmos. What’s one or two tools or products homeowners should absolutely invest in (besides a pool boy)?

Hands down a robotic pool cleaner. When I was a kid, my dad refused to buy one. So I was forced to manually vacuum the pool and hated it. This gadget is a game changer. (USA) (Canada)

4. We’re cleaning pros, but pool chemistry feels like high school science class trauma. Can you explain it like we’re five… or slightly hungover?

• Start with testing. Use test strips to check your water each week.
• First fix your total alkalinity. It should be between 100 and 150 PPM. This helps everything else stay balanced.
• Next fix your pH. It should be between 7.4 and 7.6. Think of this as how comfortable the water feels on your skin and eyes.
• Finally check your chlorine. Keep it between one and three PPM. This kills the germs.
• Test once a week. Add chemicals in that order: alkalinity then pH then chlorine.

5. How do we know when it’s time to call in the big guns? (That’s you.) Like, is green water ever a DIY moment?

Whenever you’re dealing with water and electricity (or gas). I believe everyone can DIY the rest.

6. Is it true that people clean their houses more often than their pools? Because… yikes. Tell us what happens when people neglect pool cleaning for too long.

I believe that’s true. The house gets a lot more use. Your pool’s filter system is doing most of the work. Imagine if your house had a system that kept the air clean, picked up after everyone, and vacuumed the floors. You’d barely clean (except the toilets). This is what a pump, filter, and robotic cleaner does. So you don’t need to clean the pool as often as your home. I don’t have kids, so my house is pretty clean all the time. That would be like having a pool with ZERO trees around. But if you live around a lot of trees, it’s like living with kids (I assume).

7. Pool filters: are we cleaning them enough or nah? (Also, what even is “enough”? Weekly? Monthly? When the water starts looking like soup?)

You should clean your filter by the pressure gauge. That’s what it’s for. When the pressure rises, it means your filter is full of debris. When it’s 10 PSI over the normal running (clean) pressure, then it’s time to backwash or clean.

8. What’s the #1 mistake homeowners make when trying to maintain their own pool? Go ahead. Drag us.

The biggest mistake pool owners make is not testing their water chemistry often enough. Poor water testing leads to unbalanced chemistry which can cause algae growth and damage to your pool equipment. According to The Pool Care Handbook we wrote, you should test your water at least once a week during swimming season. And test more if you have water issues or after heavy rain or use. Regular testing helps keep pH and chlorine levels in the right range which prevents most pool problems before they start.

9. Is there such a thing as a low-maintenance pool or is that just pool propaganda?

100% yes! A good filter system (a big one) with a variable speed pump, salt system, robotic cleaner, etc. You can be pretty hands off if you invest in the right equipment. But for those who don’t have that luxury, I think cleaning a pool by hand can be very zen and relaxing. Think of vacuuming your pool like tending a Japanese dry garden.

10. Final plea: give us a seasonal checklist or something. What should homeowners be doing in spring, summer, fall… and dare we say, winter?

If you’ve got a pool, you want to treat it right. While it might feel like a lot (especially if high school chemistry wasn’t your thing), with a few key habits and the right tools, pool care can be less stress, more splash. Keeping your pool clean and safe is totally doable. And hey, if nothing else, let’s all agree to never swim in bacteria soup again.

To learn more about pool care, check out Swim University where you spend your time online: Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, or  their Website.

Becky @GoCleanCo