Brush and vacuum weekly
Brushing prevents algae before it shows up. Vacuuming gets the corners your robot misses.
What you'll learn
- Why brushing is the #1 algae prevention tool
- Nylon brush for plaster, stainless for gunite (never stainless on vinyl)
- Which spots to hit every time (steps, corners, shade, behind ladders)
- Whether a robot cleaner is worth the investment
Step by step
- Use the right brush: nylon for plaster/aggregate, stainless for gunite.
- Start at the shallow end. Brush walls downward toward the main drain.
- Focus on steps, seats, corners, and shaded areas.
- For manual vacuuming: attach head + hose to pole, prime hose, connect to skimmer.
- Move slowly in overlapping stripes. Rushing stirs dust back up.
A robot cleaner (Dolphin, Polaris) takes the vacuum chore off your hands and works the floor more consistently than most people manage by hand.
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Keep learning.
Test your pool water weekly
Use a test kit, write down each reading, and follow the kit instructions closely.
Empty skimmer and pump baskets
A full skimmer basket kills flow and makes your pump work harder for no reason.
Watch your water level
Water at the wrong level will burn out your pool pump in under an hour. Here's how to check it and keep your skimmer working right.