Key Summary
A reliable pool maintenance checklist helps protect your gunite pool, extend equipment life, and keep water clean throughout the season. By following daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal maintenance steps, homeowners can prevent common issues and preserve their investment year after year.
Why a Pool Maintenance Checklist Matters
A swimming pool is a long-term investment, and like any major system in your home, it requires consistent care. Without a structured maintenance routine, small issues can quickly turn into surface damage, equipment failure, or water quality problems.
Gunite pools are known for their strength and longevity, but they still rely on proper maintenance to prevent staining, scaling, and wear over time. A well-defined pool maintenance checklist provides a clear plan for keeping your pool operating efficiently while protecting its finish, plumbing, and mechanical systems.
Daily Pool Maintenance Checklist
Daily pool maintenance focuses on preventing debris buildup and maintaining proper circulation. These steps are simple but play a major role in keeping water clear and balanced.
- Skim the surface to remove leaves, insects, and debris
- Empty skimmer and pump baskets
- Check the water level and refill if it drops below the skimmer opening
- Visually inspect the water for cloudiness or debris
- Test and balance water chemistry
- pH: 7.2–7.8
- Chlorine: 1–3 ppm
- Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
- Confirm the pool pump is running at least 8 to 10 hours per day during the sunlight hours or 24 hours a day if it is a variable speed pump
Consistent daily care reduces strain on your filtration system and helps prevent algae growth. If water clarity changes unexpectedly, professional maintenance may be needed to restore proper balance.
Weekly Pool Care Checklist
Weekly maintenance goes deeper, focusing on water chemistry, surface cleaning, and equipment performance. These steps are especially important for protecting gunite surfaces.
- Test and balance water chemistry
- pH: 7.2–7.8
- Chlorine: 1–3 ppm
- Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
- Brush walls, steps, and tile lines to prevent buildup
- Vacuum the pool floor or run an automatic cleaner
- Clean skimmer and pump baskets
- Check filter pressure and clean cartridges or backwash as needed
- Inspect pumps, heaters, and filters for leaks or unusual noise
Following this portion of your pool maintenance checklist helps prevent long-term surface damage and equipment wear.
Monthly Pool Maintenance Checklist
Monthly inspections allow you to catch early signs of damage before repairs become costly. For gunite pools, routine structural and mechanical checks are essential.
- Inspect plaster, tile, and grout for opening cracks or discoloration
- Deep clean or replace filter media if necessary, most pools can go 2-3 months per filter cartridge cleaning (unless your dog uses your pool. Did you know 1 german shepherd in your pool is the equivalent to 40 people?)
- Test calcium hardness and stabilizer (CYA) levels
- Check pool lighting
If surface wear or tile issues are identified, renovations or repairs should be addressed promptly to avoid further deterioration.
Seasonal Pool Maintenance Checklist
New England weather requires seasonal adjustments to your pool care routine. A seasonal pool maintenance checklist helps protect your pool year-round.
Spring
Remove the pool cover, clean debris, reconnect equipment, balance water chemistry, shock the pool, and run the pump continuously for 24 to 48 hours.
Summer
Test water chemistry at least twice (daily if you have a salt pool) per week, monitor water levels during heavy use, clean filters more frequently, and maintain consistent chlorine levels.
Fall
Remove leaves daily, vacuum regularly, clean filters, and gradually reduce chemical usage as temperatures drop.
Winter
Lower water levels slightly, blow out and plug plumbing lines, add antifreeze where required, install a secure winter cover, and inspect surrounding decking for cracks before freezing conditions set in.
Seasonal preparation is one of the most important steps in protecting your pool structure and equipment long term.
When to Call the Professionals
While many homeowners can manage routine maintenance such as water chemistry corrections, professional service is recommended for equipment diagnostics, surface inspections, and seasonal transitions especially winterization due to the need for special tools and large compressors or special blowers to remove all water from the lines and airlock the deep lines
SSG Pools provides expert maintenance, inspections, and repair services for residential and commercial gunite pools. Professional care helps identify issues early and ensures your pool remains safe, efficient, and ready for use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I test my pool water?
Pool water should be tested at least once per week during swimming season, daily for salt water pools and more frequently after heavy rain, high usage, or visible water changes.
How long should a pool pump run each day?
Most pools require a minimum of 8 to 10 hours of pump operation per day during the sunny hours for proper circulation and filtration. Additional runtime may be needed during peak summer heat. With variable speed pumps you can run them 24 hours a day and still see a reduction in electricity usage over conventional single speed pumps and end up with a cleaner pool did you know sun removes chlorine from a pool?
What is the best maintenance routine for a gunite pool?
The best approach is a structured pool maintenance checklist that includes daily cleaning, weekly chemical balancing, monthly inspections, and seasonal preparation.
Can I handle pool maintenance myself?
Basic daily and weekly tasks can be handled by homeowners. Professional service is recommended for equipment repairs, water chemistry issues, and structural inspections. If you cant spend 20 minutes with your pool for 5 days a week on maintenance and monitoring its a good idea to hire a company to keep your pool on point.
How do I schedule professional pool maintenance?
Professional maintenance can be scheduled by contacting SSG Pools service division Guarino’s Pool Service for an evaluation and customized service plan.