The Summer Pool Maintenance Guide: How to Get Your Pool Ready and Keep It Perfect All Season

Summer is here, and there’s nothing better than jumping into a sparkling, crystal clear pool. But before you invite family and friends to enjoy the water, proper preparation is essential. Without the right maintenance, pools can suffer from cloudy water, algae growth, chemical imbalance, or equipment failures.

This guide covers everything from preparing your pool after winter, balancing water chemistry, inspecting equipment, preventing stains, and maintaining your pool throughout the summer. Whether you have a backyard plunge pool, lap pool, or full-scale in-ground pool, these tips will help you enjoy a safe, beautiful swimming season.

Understanding Your Pool Water Quality

Balanced water is the foundation of a healthy, sparkling pool. When your levels are right, the water stays clear, feels comfortable, and protects your pool surfaces and equipment. Here’s a quick guide to what you should test and how often:

Chlorine – Your pool’s main sanitiser that kills bacteria and algae. Test twice a week, and more often during hot weather or heavy use. There are many types of pool sanitising solutions such as ozone or UV light solutions but most pools in Australia use some form of chlorine or bromine for sanitisation as its primary or failsafe form of sanitiser.

pH Levels – Measures how acidic or alkaline your water is. Aim for 7.2–7.6 to keep swimmers comfortable and prevent corrosion or scale. Test at least twice a week during summer or heavy pool use.

Total Alkalinity (TA) – Keeps your pH stable and balanced. Test weekly.

Calcium Hardness – Protects your pool’s surfaces from damage. Test monthly to avoid scaling or etching.

Stabiliser (Cyanuric Acid) – Helps chlorine last longer under the sun. Too much can make chlorine less effective. Test monthly. (Note: if you have Naked Pools or a low chlorine pool type there is no need to test for this)

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) – Measures everything dissolved in your pool water, from minerals to salts. Test monthly and top up with fresh water if needed.

Keeping these levels in check will make your pool easier to maintain and ready to enjoy all summer long.

Step 1: Remove Covers and Inspect Your Pool

Start by removing your pool cover and giving everything a good look over, ensure the material doesnt have any cracks or tears in it. Check for any cracks, chips, or stains in the pool surface and inspect tiles, coping, and fittings for signs of wear. Debris often sneaks in over winter, so clear away leaves and dirt before they cause stains or block filters.

If you notice damage or stubborn staining, now’s the time to fix it. Your local pool shop or a pool professional can recommend the right products to restore the surface before the swimming season begins.

Step 2: Clean the Pool Thoroughly

Once your pool is uncovered, it’s time for a deep clean. Skim the surface for leaves and debris, brush the walls (yes this one hurts and its also good exercise) and steps, and vacuum the floor. Don’t forget to empty the skimmer and pump baskets to help your system run efficiently.

Starting the season with a spotless pool makes maintenance easier and prevents build-up during the hotter months when the pool sees more use.

Step 3: Inspect and Maintain Pool Equipment

Your equipment is the heart of the pool system. Check the pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, lights, and any automated systems. Backwash the filter or clean the cartridges so water can circulate properly.

Run everything for a few minutes to make sure it’s working as it should. If your heater hasn’t been used in a while, test it now, you don’t want to find out it’s not heating when the family’s ready for their first swim.

Step 4: Shock Your Pool and Balance Water Chemistry

After sitting idle through winter, your pool water might have built up bacteria, algae, and other contaminants that regular chlorination won’t completely remove. This is where “shocking” the pool comes in.

Shocking is the process of adding a high dose of chlorine (or other sanitiser) to the water to break down organic matter and kill off any lingering nasties. It essentially resets your water chemistry and gives you a clean, safe base to start the swimming season.

For best results, shock your pool at night. Sunlight can rapidly burn off chlorine before it’s had time to do its job, so treating your pool after sunset ensures the chlorine works effectively overnight.

Run your filter system during and after shocking to help circulate the treatment evenly. By the next day, your pool water should be noticeably clearer, fresher, and ready for fine-tuning before your first swim of the season.

After shocking, test water chemistry for pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine.

If you haven’t replaced your pool testing kit in a while, now’s the time. Test strips are fine for quick checks but aren’t always accurate. For the best results, use a proper testing kit or a calibrated digital meter to measure pH, TDS, and salt levels. If in doubt consult your local pool shop for their recommended testing methods.

Maintain optimal ranges for safe and clear swimming:

• pH: 7.2 – 7.6

• Alkalinity: 80 – 120 ppm

• Calcium hardness: 200 – 400 ppm

• Chlorine: 1 – 3 ppm

• TDS for naked pools between 800-1200ppm and 3000ppm-5000ppm for salt water pools

Saltwater or mineral pools may need additional topping up to maintain balance. Balanced water protects your pool surfaces and makes swimming safer and more enjoyable.

Step 5: Inspect safety features

Take a moment to check your pool fencing, gates, and latches. Make sure everything self-closes and locks correctly. Inspect handrails, ladders, and pool covers for wear and tear. It’s also a good time to ensure your CPR sign is visible and compliant with local regulations.

Step 6: Check for Redbacks and Other Creepy Crawlies

Since this is Australia - and especially in the Sutherland Shire, take a moment to inspect the areas around your pool for unwelcome visitors. Redback spiders, ants, and other creepy crawlies love to hide under deck chairs, lounges, poolside furniture, and in garden edges.

Move furniture, check under chairs and cushions, and remove any webs or nests. This not only keeps your pool area safe but also ensures a more enjoyable and relaxing swimming experience. Regular checks throughout the season can prevent bites, stings, or unpleasant surprises while relaxing by the pool.

Step 7: Prepare Pool Accessories

Summer fun is more than just the water, it’s the floats, toys, and accessories. Inflate pool toys, check for punctures, and inspect slides, ladders, and diving boards. Ensuring these items are ready prevents frustration and keeps swimming sessions safe and enjoyable.

Step 8: Seasonal Pool Care Checklist

Once you’ve got your pool up and running, a little ongoing care keeps everything on track. Here’s a quick seasonal checklist to follow:

• Skim, vacuum, and brush weekly.

• Test water chemistry 2–3 times a week.

• Backwash or clean filters regularly.

• Check and empty skimmer baskets.

• Inspect pool equipment monthly.

• Top up water levels as needed.

• Keep the pool area free of leaves and debris.

At Pinnacle Pools, we don’t just build beautiful pools, we build them to perform and feel incredible every time you dive in. By following these steps, you’ll keep your pool sparkling, safe, and ready for endless summer memories.