Weekly Pool Maintenance

A Little Effort Goes A LONG Way

North Dallas consistently boasts some of the top places in Texas – and the nation – to live. Local communities like Highland Village, Flower Mound, Corinth, Double Oak, Copper Canyon, Argyle, Lantana, and more provide an ever-growing number of wonderful homes in wonderful neighborhoods, many of them including pools. Our experts at Pool Butler understand the importance of weekly pool maintenance in Argyle & Lantana, as well as all of North Dallas. These small tasks bring big results.

A pool is more than an exceptional value-add to your home; it’s a backyard oasis – a getaway just outside your back door. Like many aspects of finer homes, pools require regular, proactive, preventive care. Solid weekly pool maintenance routines are critical to delivering clean, clear, and carefree enjoyment. This blog outlines the basics of what to do each week, why it’s important, and how it prevents algae, cloudy water, equipment failure, and more. More specifically, we focus on cleaning aspects of skimming, brushing, and vacuuming your pool. BEST weekly maintenance includes not only this, but also chemical balancing (water chemistry) and proper, regular running and maintenance of your circulation and filtration systems.

The good news is that a minimal amount of time dedicated each week can save you a LOT of time, money, and stress. And as with many in North Dallas homeowners (and many of them long-time, happy Pool Butler customers), if any of this sounds a little overwhelming, no worries. Just call Pool Butler; we’ve provided industry-leading, reliable and affordable services to communities throughout North Dallas for over 25 years.

**Every Week…really? Yes – and sometimes, more.**

Cleaning and other maintenance basics (chemical balancing and proper circulation/filtration) might sound excessive, but it’s not. In fact, for any of a number of reasons, here in North Dallas, your pool may need extra care beyond weekly maintenance, especially after sudden storms, high winds, or other unexpected weather events throughout the year.

Think of it this way – your pool is essentially its own little “ecosystem”, affected by weather, contaminants from swimmers, leaves, pollen, and the hot Texas sun. Left unchecked by regular maintenance, you’re unintentionally inviting:

Algae
Cloudy or discolored water
Clogged skimmer and pump filters
Inefficient operation, which can lead to costly equipment damage
Skin and eye irritation, that unpleasant chlorine smell
…and even unsafe swimming conditions

**If your pool is your backyard oasis, why wouldn’t you want to make sure it’s always ready, waiting, and inviting you to escape from the everyday hustle and bustle?**

We get it…often, there’s just not enough time in the day. Wanna save time and effort – and save the costs of not maintaining your pool properly?

**Call Pool Butler NOW at 972-317-2200**

We’ll listen and focus on what matters most to YOU so you can spend more time enjoying your backyard oasis.

Pool Cleaning – Weekly Checklist

So let’s get right into the good stuff. Don’t worry…while we go into a bit of detail, these aren’t enormous tasks. Like many other things, once you develop a simple weekly discipline and cadence, it’s easy stuff.

1. Remove larger debris, like sticks, skim the surface, THEN empty your skimmer baskets

What:

Use your skimmer net to remove leaves, bugs, and debris from the water surface after clearing floating toys, sticks, or other objects that might tear the skimmer net.

Net the bottom of your pool, too, if there’s debris like autumn leaves, those beautiful summertime crepe myrtle or other blooms, after a storm, all those rocks little Johnny threw in to play “Undersea Explorer”), etc. – stuff that might otherwise choke your pool vacuum…

Take the access cover off your skimmer filter and remove any debris floating inside your skimmer inlet (maybe look first, and wear gloves in case there’s any unwelcome critters or other “nasties” inside…especially in more wooded lots and areas closer to natural areas). Check and empty skimmer baskets after clearing the inlet area (so no debris, etc., gets sucked into your filtration system when you take out the skimmer basket).

Why:

Make life easier: debris can sink and decompose, affecting chemical balance, etc.
A clogged skimmer reduces circulation and can lead to equipment damage and failure. Improper circulation and filtration also open the door to algae, chemical imbalances, etc.
Leaving debris in your pool is like providing a cruise ship for algae, bacteria, etc.

2. Brush Pool Walls and Floor

What:

Brush pool walls, steps, ladders, and the floor to loosen dirt, algae spores, and scale. Be sure to focus, too, on the tile that many pools have at the waterline. This is where things like sunscreen residue, calcium buildup/”scaling” occur over time – so give it extra attention, but don’t be so aggressive as to potentially damage glazed surfaces, etc.

NOTE: Most pools eventually develop “scaling” over time, making waterline tiles look less attractive. If you’d like to see your waterline tile shine again – kinda an awesome job of teeth whitening, but without any of the pain, hassle, etc., call Pool Butler. We’ve invested in a system that helps us do the job FOR you in less time, without the typically more caustic chemicals, and for an affordable price. Our system saves us time and effort, so we can pass on the savings to you. Everybody’s happy, and your pool has a beautiful smile again!

OK, where were we? Most pools in North Dallas/North Texas are concrete or plaster; use a stainless steel brush on these types of pools. For others, consider a brush with plastic or similar bristles. Not sure? Just give Pool Butler a call or ask at your local pool supply retailer.

Why:

Get a jump on the formation of algae, bacteria, and remove the accumulation of stuff like sunscreen and other things that you don’t want hanging around in your pool. No, it may not work for that pesky relative who’s also Jones-ing in on your cookouts…that’s a different kind of “brush-off”…
Keeps surfaces clean, slip-free, and supports more consistent chemical balance – helping to save you more time, money, and avoid stress

3. Vacuum the Pool

What:

Use a manual or automatic POOL vacuum (we’re just sayin’…all that disclaimer kinda stuff these days…) to remove settled debris from the pool floor.

Why:

Brushing removes particles and dirt that collect on the bottom. You also have things in many North Dallas communities, like nearby construction kicking up dust, tree pollen, etc., that land on the pool’s surface and sink sooner rather than later.
Vacuuming helps keep water clean, reduces/eliminates slippery surfaces, and helps your filtration and circulation systems work more efficiently.

4. Balance Chemicals ( Water Chemistry)

What:

We’ll do just a real high-level on this one because a.) we already have a more detailed blog on this topic on our website, and b.) it is its own separate and VERY important discussion; along with weekly skimming/brushing/vacuuming and keeping the proper water level (we have a blog on that one, too), these are the top three “must do” things you want to address on a weekly basis (or call Pool Butler to do it FOR you).

Be sure you have a GOOD water test kit (as highlighted in our blog about balancing chemicals) that enables you to check AT LEAST the chemicals/levels listed below; generally speaking, ideal weekly targets for North Dallas, North Texas, and similar climates are:

Free Chlorine: 2.0–4.0 ppm; the less combined chlorine, the better
pH: 7.4–7.6
Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer): 30–50 ppm for chlorine pools; 60–80 ppm for saltwater pools
Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm

If you’re finding it challenging to maintain these important chemical levels consistently, call Pool Butler. We can inspect to make sure everything is running right. And know that at some time, almost every pool owner experiences pool “bounce”, which can be frustrating. Pool Butler’s 25+ years of experience helps us take care of it for you.

Why:

Keeping chemical levels in range ensures a clean and healthy pool environment.
It prevents chemical imbalances that can cause damage or make swimming uncomfortable.

6. Check/Clean Filters

What:

Check your filters weekly and clean them when pressure is outside the normal range for your specific filter. Generally speaking, pressure is between 10 to 20 psi but can be higher depending on many things: whether it’s a sand, DE, or cartridge filter, the size of your pool and pump, and more. It’s best to follow filter cleaning and backwash according to your pool pump/filter’s more detailed instructions.

A few tips:

DE filters – it’s time to clean when you can’t reduce pressure with backwashing. Be sure to add DE back into the system after backwashing.
Cartridges – it’s time to clean when pressure is 10 psi or more over the normal pressure range.

NOTE: if you’re not familiar with how to clean your filter and/or backwash your pool, please check with Pool Butler. We’re happy to help and offer DIY pool care classes as well as pool inspections so you can always know what to expect in the near and long term.

7. Check Water Level

What:

Please see our separate blog topic on this important topic. Else, the short and easy: make sure your water level is halfway up the skimmer opening. Add water if it’s too low, drain a little if it’s too high (especially after those heavy downpours).

Why:

Too low – prevents proper filtration/circulation, sucks air into the system, and can damage and eventually burn out the pump.
- If you have a busy schedule, call Pool Butler to discuss an auto-fill solution that takes care of your pool’s water level while you tend to other priorities.
Too high – impedes proper automated skimming and filtration, thereby inviting algae, bacteria, and such to gain a foothold.

8. Check Equipment

What:

You don’t necessarily need to be an expert. Check your pump, heater, filter, chlorinator, and pool lights frequently. Keep areas clean and clear of debris or overgrowth that might invite nibbling rodents, deterioration of wiring, etc. Consider providing some shade so equipment doesn’t fade or deteriorate in the hot Texas sun. Keep a generally proactive, preventive eye for signs of wear, leaks, or malfunction. Listen for unusual noises.

Why:

Regular checking and proactive maintenance prevent more costly equipment repair and replacement. Identify things like worn-out O-rings that may cause leaks before they burns out more expensive equipment.
Regular inspection helps maintain safe and efficient operation.
Check pool lights, steps, and such, in tandem with cleaning. Algae can gain an otherwise unseen foothold on or behind things like loose underwater lighting bezels.

A Weekly Routine

By following a simple weekly plan, you’re doing more than just cleaning the pool. You’re protecting your investment, your health, and your peace of mind. Let’s review.

The Good – if you DO what’s needed…

consistently clean, clear, safe water
longer, more efficient equipment/systems – and the energy it takes to run them
prevention of algae, bacteria, cloudy water, etc.
fewer service calls and avoidable equipment repair/replacement – saves you time, money, and avoidable stress

The Bad (and the Ugly) – don’t say we didn’t tell you…

Missing a week, or even a few days, after a storm can throw off your pool’s entire environment, including a dirty pool, strained systems, and more.

Chlorine (and other key chemical balances and interactions) drops – you just gave a party invitation to algae, bacteria, and dreaded chemical “bounce”
Chemical imbalances you can see and feel – irritated skin, cloudy water, green water, mustard algae, and black algae (worsening algae formations that are increasingly difficult to get rid of…)
Skim baskets fill, filters get clogged, filtration/circulation systems slow down, or worse, break down. We don’t do “scare tactics”, but you get it…don’t invite problems
Debris collects on the bottom of your pool, in pipes and filters, etc., creating staining of pool surfaces, scaling of waterline tile, etc.

Hey, don’t get us wrong. We love to work with you and FOR you here at Pool Butler, but we’d rather make it positive and productive – like getting rid of that waterline tile scaling that just builds up over time, upgrading your pool to a saltwater system, installing an autofill system to maintain your water level automatically.

– or just doing all this necessary, routine pool maintenance FOR you. We’ve been a leader in providing consistent, quality, reliable, and affordable pool care for over 25 years.

DIY or Pool Service?

If you enjoy (or can at least tolerate) the process and have the time, many homeowners successfully manage their own pool care. But it’s not for everybody, especially if you are a professional with many work demands, etc. For whatever reason…or no reason at all, Pool Butler is local, loyal, and has earned our reputation as an industry leader for over 25 years. We’d be happy to take care of weekly pool services FOR you. Call us NOW if weekly pool maintenance just isn’t your thing…it’s ours – and we love it!

Where We Serve

While we’re based in southern Denton County, Pool Butler has proudly served the greater North Dallas area for over 25 years. We’ve built our business with a careful, steady approach—one that ensures our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction never wavers. This thoughtful growth also allows us to deliver greater efficiency, better results, and meaningful savings directly to you.

Dallas County

Addison, Carrollton, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, University Park, and Wylie

Denton County

Argyle, Carrollton, Denton, Flower Mound, Frisco, Lake Dallas, Lewisville, Little Elm, Roanoke, The Colony, Highland Village, Double Oak, Copper Canyon, Lantana, and Corinth

Collin County

Allen, Fairview, Frisco, Hebron, McKinney, Murphy, Nevada, Plano, Prosper, Richardson, and Sachse

Tarrant County

Arlington, Bedford, Colleyville, Dalworthington Gardens, Euless, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Hurst, Keller, and Southlake

Don’t see your location? No worries. Just give us a call. We love helping people and making new friends!

You may also find these additional blog posts helpful and relevant.

Prepare Your Pool for Winter Weather Continue Reading	Check Your Skimmer Basket Often Continue Reading	How to Keep Your Water Level Adjusted Continue Reading	Choosing The Right Pool Service Company Continue Reading
Weekly Pool Maintenance–A Little Effort Goes A LONG Way Continue R eading	Say Goodbye to Pool-What Algae Every Homeowner Should Know Continue Reading	Keeping The Chemicals Balanced In Your Pool Continue Reading	Contact Pool Butler Today For A Sparklingly Bright Pool Continue Reading