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January 28, 2026Help Us Help You: Pool Know-How That Makes Pool Care Easier
Owning a pool should be enjoyable—not stressful. One of the best ways to keep your pool clear, balanced, and running efficiently is knowing the basics about your pool and equipment. When you’re informed, we can better serve you, troubleshoot faster, and help you save time and money throughout the season.
These pool care tips are designed to help pool owners avoid common problems and keep their pools running smoothly all season.
Here’s a simple guide to the most important things every pool owner should know.
Know Your Pool & Water Chemistry
These basic pool care tips help prevent water problems before they start.
Pick a consistent weekly pool day. On that day, test your water chemistry, inspect your equipment, brush the walls, skim debris, vacuum, and rebalance your water as needed. Consistency is key to preventing problems before they start.
Be sure to update your testing supplies regularly. Test strips and liquid reagents expire, and outdated products can give inaccurate readings. When in doubt, replace them each season.
Salt Pool Owners: Come Prepared
If you have a salt pool, know your:
- Current salinity level
- Chlorine output percentage
- Pump run time
This information allows us to give you accurate recommendations and faster support.
Know Your Equipment
Understand what kind of pump you have—single-speed or variable-speed—and what schedule it’s set to run. A good baseline for pump runtime is 1 hour for every 10 degrees of air temperature (for example, 80° = 8 hours minimum).
Also, know how many gallons your pool holds. Use this formula:
Length × Width × Average Depth × 7.5 = Total Gallons
This is critical for proper chemical dosing.
Understand Water Loss & Evaporation
It’s normal for pools to lose ⅛ to ¼ inch of water every 24 hours due to evaporation. Cooler, drier air can actually cause more evaporation than warm, humid conditions—so don’t panic if you notice small drops.
Keep Supplies & Accessories Updated
Worn-out brushes, nets, vacuums, cartridges, and skimmer baskets reduce efficiency. Replace them as needed.
- Cartridge filters: If part numbers aren’t visible, bring your old cartridge in with you. Measurements (height and diameter, inner and outer) help us identify the correct replacement.
- Skimmer baskets: They may look alike, but sizes vary—bringing the old one ensures a perfect fit.
Take Pictures—They Help More Than You Think
Photos of your pool and equipment can save time and prevent mistakes. Capture:
- Overall equipment setup
- Labels, model numbers, and serial numbers
- Filter cartridges and equipment close-ups
These images help us answer questions quickly and identify the correct parts.
Smart Chemical Practices
Following these pool care tips consistently helps protect your pool surface and equipment.
- Avoid putting chlorine tabs in skimmer baskets. Use a floater or have a tablet feeder installed instead.
- Shock your pool after heavy rain, heavy swimming use, or major water changes.
- Remember that phosphates are present in city water. Keeping them low helps maintain a clear pool.
- Consider using a hose pre-filter—the water you add directly impacts your pool chemistry.
- All pools can stain, but maintaining proper water balance helps minimize staining issues.
Plan Ahead for Pool Season
Don’t wait until the week before a holiday to check on your pool. Start opening early—around St. Patrick’s Day—so you’re ready when it counts.
Thinking about a new liner or scheduling a service call? Now is the time to start the process to ensure timely installation or repairs before peak season.
Important Tip When Opening Your Pool: Robotic Cleaners
When opening your pool, avoid using your robotic cleaner for the initial cleanup if there is a significant amount of leaves or heavy debris. Doing so can cause premature failure of the cleaner, potentially leading to costly repairs or replacement.
Instead, start by using a deep leaf rake net to manually remove large debris from the pool. Once the bulk of the debris is removed and the water is clearer, your robotic cleaner can be used safely and effectively.
We are a Maytronics Warranty Center and can provide diagnosis and repair for most Maytronics Dolphin Cleaners (only). Please note:
- There is a $75 diagnostic fee
- This fee can be applied toward the purchase of a new cleaner if replacement is needed
- We have a minimum two-week lead time for repairs
Please call ahead to schedule when we can accept your cleaner for diagnosis or repair.
Do not drop off cleaners without contacting us first to schedule.
Planning ahead helps avoid delays and ensures your pool is ready when you want to use it.
When you follow proven pool care tips, we can help you more efficiently—and your pool will thank you for it.
