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For many homeowners, owning an inground swimming pool is a dream come true. It can increase the value of your property and provide endless fun. However, inground pool also comes with many obligations. Regular maintenance is essential for a clean, safe, and efficient pool. Whether you’re a first-time pool owner or want to improve your routine maintenance, the following 10 important tips can help you extend the life of your inground pool and its components.
Skim and Clean Regularly
Leaves, insects, and dirt can build up quickly. Use a skimmer net daily and empty your pool skimmer baskets for inground pools at least twice a week to ensure the efficiency of your filtration system. A clogged basket can put stress on your inground pool pump and reduce water flow.
Brush and Vacuum Weekly
Algae and dirt can settle on the walls and bottom of your pool. Scrub the walls and steps weekly and vacuum the pool to prevent scale buildup. For those using inground pool kits, this is especially important for owners of in-ground pools with tile or vinyl liners.
Maintain Proper Water Chemistry
Proper water chemistry is one of the most important steps to protect your inground pool and its components. Test your water for pH, chlorine, and total alkalinity at least twice a week using test strips or a digital water quality test kit.
The ideal pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6. A lower pH makes the water acidic and causes corrosion on pool surfaces, ladders, and metal parts in inground pool pumps. On the other hand, a higher pH can cause scale deposits and cloudy water.
Chlorine levels should be between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm to effectively kill bacteria and algae. Too little chlorine can lead to unsanitary conditions, while too much can cause skin irritation and damage the pool liner.
Total alkalinity acts as a buffer for pH, helping to prevent sudden spikes or drops in pH. For best results, keep this value between 80 and 120 ppm.
Unbalanced water chemistry can shorten the life of your pool pump and filter because it can cause scale, corrosion, or clogging. The filter’s performance will also be affected, causing the pool pump to work harder and use more energy.
Tip: Always adjust alkalinity first, then pH, and finally chlorine. This order ensures that the changes are more consistent and effective.
Monitor Water Levels
The water level should be halfway up the skimmer opening. If the pressure is too low, the pump may run dry; if it is too high, the skimmer won’t be able to effectively remove dirt. Keep an eye on the water level in your inground pool during frequent rains or evaporation.
Backwash or Clean the Filter
Your pool filtration system plays a vital role in ensuring clear, healthy water. Whether you use a sand filter, DE system, or pool cartridge filter, regular maintenance is essential for efficient water circulation and long life of your pool pump.
For sand or DE filters, keep an eye on the pressure gauge. If the reading is 8 to 10 psi higher than the initial pressure from cleaning, a backwash is due. Backwashing reverses the direction of water flow through the filter, flushing away dirt and sediment. The process typically takes only a few minutes but has a significant impact on filter performance.
For pool cartridge filters, which are commonly used in small inground pools and compact pool systems, cleaning involves removing the cartridge and thoroughly rinsing it with a garden hose. Excessive sediment may require a soak in a filter cleaning solution. Replace the cartridge every 1 to 2 months, depending on usage and water quality.
Inspect and Maintain the Pool Pump
The inground pool pump is the heart of your pool’s circulation system. Clean the pump filter regularly, check for leaks, and listen for unusual noises. A poorly functioning pool pump can lead to poor water circulation and increased energy costs.
Check Pool Equipment for Wear
Inspect pool lighting, ladders, diving boards, and railings. Check for rust, cracks, or loose screws. If your pool is built using inground pool kits, check joints and seams for leaks or shifting due to ground movement or water pressure.
Shock the Pool Monthly
Even if the water is balanced, impurities such as sweat, body fat, and sunscreen can still accumulate. Shock-chlorinating your swimming pool inground monthly (super-chlorinating) keeps your pool sanitary and odor-free.
Winterize (or Off-Season Prep)
If you live in a cold climate, it’s critical to properly shut down your inground pool. Empty the pump and filter, blow out the water lines, and use a winter cover. This prevents expensive frost damage to pipes and equipment, including your inground pool pump.
Schedule Professional Inspections
While many tasks can be done on your own, it’s recommended to hire a professional to inspect the overall condition of your inground swimming pool, pump system, electrical components, and liner every year. This is especially important for older pools or those with built-in kits.
Bonus: Maintenance Helps Control Cost
Are you wondering how much does an inground pool cost to maintain? Answers vary, but proper care can significantly reduce long-term costs. By keeping your equipment in top condition and avoiding major repairs, you’ll offset your initial inground pool cost with long-term savings. Whether it’s a luxury pool or a small inground pool, maintenance is the best investment.
Final Thoughts
Regular maintenance is essential to protecting your investment in an inground pool. With proper care, your pool will last for decades, giving you fun and relaxation every season. From filter cleaning to maintaining your built-in pool pump, these tips will help you keep your pool safe, sparkling, and fun.
2 Replies to “Top 10 Maintenance Tips for Inground Pool”
Is it necessary to winterize and close your inground pool if you live in a part of the country that rarely gets below 32 degrees? I live in Northern California very close to Sacramento and winter days are in the high 40s to 50s and the evenings rarely dip into the 20s.
Most pool owners in your area don’t fully “close” or “winterize” their pools. Instead, they just switch to “winter mode.” It looks like: They Running the pump on a shorter daily schedule (e.g. 2–4 hours instead of 8–12). Adding a winter algaecide or maintaining lower chlorine levels. Skimming leaves and covering the pool with a simple leaf/mesh cover if you have lots of trees nearby.