A pool is a pleasure when the water is clear and a headache when it turns green. A short routine, done regularly, avoids most problems.
Every week
- Check the water with a test kit: the manual or the product label tells you the target values for chlorine (or the product you use) and pH.
- Empty the skimmer and pump baskets and skim leaves from the surface.
- Brush the walls and the waterline, and vacuum the bottom if needed.
- Check the level: top up if evaporation has lowered it.
The filter and the pump
Clean or backwash the filter as the manufacturer recommends, and listen to the pump: a new noise, a loss of pressure or a leak around the equipment calls for a professional. Do not leave a problem running for weeks.
Hot tub or jacuzzi
A hot tub needs the same water checks, more often because the water is warm and used by few people. Clean the filter regularly and change the water as the manual says. Keep the cover on when it is not in use.
Start-up and winter
At the start of the season, clean the pool, check the equipment and balance the water before the first swim. When you leave the home empty for long, plan the winter routine in advance. See our guide on leaving your home for months.
Safety first
Store chemicals closed, away from children, and never mix products. Keep a cover, barrier or alarm in place if children or pets visit the property.
When to call a professional
Ask for help for regular upkeep, a green pool, a pump or filter fault, a suspected leak or a heating problem (heating in Marbella covers heat pumps for pools too). Look at pool and hot tub in Marbella, in Mijas or in Benahavís. Our garden and terrace guide covers the surroundings.