What Should I Be Doing Weekly to Maintain My Pool?

Keep your pool clean, clear, and problem-free with this easy weekly routine.

Regular weekly maintenance is the key to a clean, safe, and enjoyable swimming pool. Whether you’re handling things yourself or working with a pool care company like Bremner Pool and Spa, following a consistent routine can help prevent costly repairs, keep your water balanced, and extend the life of your equipment.

Here’s what your weekly pool maintenance should include:

1. Skim the Surface and Remove Debris

Use a pool skimmer net to remove leaves, insects, and other debris floating on the surface. This keeps your filter from clogging and helps reduce organic waste that can lead to algae.

2. Brush the Walls and Steps

Regular brushing prevents algae buildup and keeps your pool surfaces clean. Focus on areas with less circulation, like corners, steps, and behind ladders.   Do not forget to brush the waterline as well.

3. Vacuum the Pool Floor

Use a manual or automatic vacuum such as a robot to clean the bottom of the pool.  Even if your pool looks clean, dirt and fine particles often settle at the bottom.

4. Test and Balance the Water

Water testing should be performed as follows:

Daily testing: Check your chlorine and stabilizer levels daily.  If you have a saltwater pool, test the salt level as well.  If you have a Bromine pool instead of chlorine, be sure to test the bromine levels.  Be sure to test these daily.  Chlorine or Bromine destroys bacteria and algae so that your pool is safe for swimmers. Stabilizer protects the chlorine from getting eaten up by the sun.

2-3 times a week testing: With regards to the following parameters, test these at the very least, once a week. If you can test 2 or 3 times in a week, that is ideal: PH, Total Alkalinity & Calcium Hardness.  These chemicals do the following: Protects the pools finished surfaces such as the liner in a vinyl pool or the marbelite or paint finish in a concrete pool, protects the equipment, maintains bather comfort and increases the effectiveness of chlorine so that it can destroy bacteria in your pool.

5. Empty the Skimmer and Pump Baskets

Clear out leaves and debris to keep your system running smoothly.  Full baskets can restrict water flow and strain your equipment.

6. Check Water Level

Ensure the water level is ¾ up the skimmer.  Low water levels can cause damage to the pump system.

7. Inspect Equipment

Check that your pump, filter, and heater are working properly.  Look for any leaks, unusual noises, or anything that seems off.

8. Shock the Pool

It’s good practice to shock your pool once a week as part of your normal maintenance routine. This will break down any organics (sweat, oils, perfume, body creams, sunscreen, etc) that have accumulated in your pool over time, allowing it to be filtered out.  Pool shock comes in either powder form or you can use liquid chlorine.

9. Check your filter

Make sure to backwash your sand filter when the pressure reading on your filter gauge gets too high or if you have a cartridge filter, making sure the cartridges are not clogged with debris. If the cartridges are clogged with debris in a cartridge filter, you will need to remove them and thoroughly wash them.

If this all sounds like a lot, don’t worry—Bremner Pool and Spa offers reliable weekly maintenance packages so you can relax and enjoy your pool without the stress. We’ll handle everything from testing and treatment to cleaning and equipment checks.

Want to make sure your pool is getting the care it needs? Contact us to learn more about weekly maintenance services or request a quote.

Got questions about weekly pool care? You’re not alone.

Here are some of the most common things pool owners ask us at Bremner Pool and Spa—especially when it comes to keeping their pool in great shape week after week.

1. Do I really need to maintain my pool every week?

Yes—weekly maintenance is key to preventing premature breakdown of pool equipment as well ensuring the pool water remains clean and safe for swimmers. Skipping routine tasks can cause bigger issues down the line, which are more expensive to fix. Staying on top of things weekly keeps your pool clean, safe, and stress-free.

2. What does weekly pool maintenance include?

Weekly service typically involves skimming debris, vacuuming, brushing the walls and waterline, checking and balancing chlorine, pH, alkalinity, stabilizer, and calcium hardness levels.  It also includes backwashing your filter or cleaning the cartridges, emptying the pump and skimmer baskets and inspecting your pool equipment.  At Bremner Pool and Spa, we handle all of that for you—so you can just enjoy the water.

3. Can I maintain my pool myself or should I hire a professional?

If you’re comfortable with testing water, adjusting chemicals, and handling equipment, DIY maintenance can work. But if you’re short on time or want peace of mind, hiring a pro like Bremner Pool and Spa ensures everything is properly maintained and safe for swimming.

4. How long does weekly pool maintenance take?

If you’re doing it yourself, expect to spend around 45–60 minutes per week, depending on pool size and condition. Our professional team typically completes service faster—and more thoroughly—using commercial-grade tools and expertise.