Pool Care Help | Swimming Pool Learning

Everything you need to know about your swimming pool in 18 minutes:

This video is your ultimate guide to everything pool care! It covers pool surface types, water chemistry, cleaning techniques, automatic cleaners, equipment, common equipment problems, and more. I spent weeks filming and condensing over 2 hours of footage into a single, comprehensive video to provide you with everything you need in one place.

For those who choose to maintain and clean their own pool, with a little time and some basic knowledge, you can absolutely handle it yourself without any trouble.

However, if your schedule doesn’t allow for pool maintenance, hiring a reliable Pool Service Company in your area is a great option. There’s no shame in leaving it to the professionals, and there are plenty of experienced pool service pros ready to help. After all, that’s how I make my living and keep the lights on—so I’m happy to share my expertise!

Here’s a quick video showing you how to empty your pool skimmer basket. It’s a simple task, but seeing it done can make it even easier to understand.

Regularly emptying your skimmer basket—at least once a week—is one of the best ways to keep your pool running smoothly.

If the basket gets clogged, it can restrict water flow, which may lead to circulation issues and even equipment problems over time. Keeping it clean helps your pool stay efficient and trouble-free!

This process can vary in complexity depending on your pool pump and your experience level, but keeping your pump basket clean is crucial for maintaining proper water flow. A dirty pump basket can restrict flow, potentially damaging the pump over time and leading to algae growth due to poor circulation.

In this video, I’ll walk you through the steps for cleaning the pump basket on several of the most common pool pumps.

Maintaining properly balanced pool water is the secret to keeping your pool sparkling blue. Regular water testing is essential—if you skip it, your pool may become cloudy or develop algae over time.

By balancing the water weekly, you can avoid the need for expensive and time-consuming shock treatments. A little routine maintenance goes a long way in saving both your money and your time!

Basic Pool Chemistry:

Sanitizer

Once the alkalinity and pH levels are properly balanced, the next step is adjusting the sanitizer levels. Chlorine is the most common and cost-effective sanitizer available.

For most pools, the acceptable chlorine range is 1.5–3 ppm. However, levels of 4–5 ppm are perfectly safe and often beneficial.
For commercial spas, higher chlorine levels of 5–6 ppm are required.
For residential pools, aim to maintain a consistent chlorine level of 3.0 ppm.

Before hosting a large gathering or during periods of intense heat, it’s a good idea to raise the chlorine level to 4–5 ppm to keep the pool sanitized.

Avoid letting chlorine levels drop below 3 ppm, as this can lead to poor sanitation and the need for shock treatments. Consistently maintaining proper chlorine levels saves both time and effort in pool maintenance!