Month-by-Month
Pool Maintenance Checklist

Late February is when smart pool owners pre-order chemicals before the March rush. Prices hold, inventory is fresh.

• Continue freeze protection protocol through late Feb
• Stock up on chlorine tablets, shock, and algaecide before spring price-ups
• Inspect pump basket, skimmer basket, and filter — order replacements now if worn
• Plan your spring opening date (typically early-mid March in DFW)
• Check water level — replenish if low from evaporation or splash-out

A bad spring open haunts a pool all summer. Go slow, get it right, and summer maintenance becomes routine.

• Full water test — pH, total alkalinity, calcium, cyanuric, chlorine, phosphate
• Brush entire pool (walls, floor, steps) before adding chemicals
• Shock the pool to 5-10 ppm free chlorine — knock out winter algae spores
• Balance alkalinity first (80-120 ppm), then pH (7.4-7.6), then calcium (200-400 ppm)
• Add stain & scale sequestrant if you are on well water
• Run filter 12+ hours for 3 days, then backwash
• Check for any winter damage: tile cracks, coping separation, equipment leaks

Water is warming; algae is waking up. This is the month to catch chemistry drift before summer heat compounds every mistake.

• Test chemistry weekly (more often if above 75°F)
• Start weekly shock cycle — 1 lb cal-hypo per 10,000 gal at dusk
• Add preventative polyquat algaecide weekly (6 oz per 10,000 gal)
• Check cyanuric acid — should be 30-50 ppm; above 80 reduces chlorine efficacy
• Clean filter: cartridge or DE grids get a soak + rinse, sand gets a backwash
• Monitor water level — evaporation accelerates as temps climb
• Inspect pool lights, handrails, ladders, and diving board mounts

One last chance to catch problems before summer demand makes repairs expensive and slow.

• Full equipment inspection: pump bearings, heater igniter, filter pressure gauge
• Test salt cell output (if applicable) — clean with mild acid wash if calcium visible
• Verify pool automation (Pentair ScreenLogic, Hayward OmniLogic) is running current schedule
• Calibrate flow meters and chemical feeders
• Brush pool weekly — mineral deposits start at tile line in May
• Replace or deep-clean filter media if haven't already

Texas heat is here. Chlorine demand triples, pH climbs, and every weekend is a potential green-pool scare. Be relentless.

• Test chemistry 2-3× per week
• Run filter 10-12 hours per day minimum (overnight into morning)
• Weekly shock — non-negotiable once water is above 85°F
• Acid-dose daily if pH is creeping above 7.8 (Texas water + heat = rising pH)
• Monitor CYA weekly — stays below 50 ppm for trichlor users
• Brush walls and steps 2× per week — stops calcium scale and algae footholds
• Vacuum weekly — more if trees are near pool

100°F+ days, heavy rain events, and party weekends. July separates proactive pool owners from reactive ones.

• Test chemistry every 48 hours during heat waves
• After every heavy rain: test pH + chlorine within 12 hours
• After every pool party: shock + backwash next morning
• Check phosphate levels — under 100 ppb ideal; dose PhosFREE if creeping up
• Inspect for calcium scale on tile — brush or treat if visible
• Top off water — evaporation runs 1-2 inches per week in Texas summer
• Clean salt cell (if applicable) if you see calcium buildup inside

August water is warmest and most vulnerable. One missed shock cycle = green pool by Saturday.

• Keep weekly shock cycle going — do not skip
• Double up on algaecide if you leave for vacation
• Run pump extra hours during heat waves (12-14 hrs)
• Backwash or clean filter every 2-3 weeks
• Inspect equipment for heat-stress: pump seals, o-rings, heater
• Note any staining or etching — treat before it sets

School is back, kids stopped swimming, pool use drops — do not let your guard down. Early fall still hits 95°F in DFW.

• Keep shock schedule weekly through September
• Lower pump run time to 8-10 hours as temps drop
• Test chemistry weekly (can return to once-a-week from 2-3×)
• Watch for early leaf drop — skim daily once trees start
• Check filter pressure — clean when 8-10 psi above clean baseline
• Inspect cover, timers, and winterization supplies in storage

Oaks, pecans, and live oaks in DFW drop heavy in October. Leaf management is 80% of pool work this month.

• Skim daily — or 2× daily if you have oak trees nearby
• Empty skimmer basket every 48 hours
• Vacuum weekly — leaves on floor = stains on plaster
• Continue weekly shock — water is still warm enough for algae
• Reduce chlorine tablet feed rate — demand is dropping
• Check calcium hardness — fall is when scaling becomes visible

Water is cooling. Algae threat drops. You can scale back chemical demand significantly if you dial chemistry.

• Run final shock of the year (end of month or when water drops below 65°F)
• Drop chlorine tablets — target 1-2 ppm free chlorine for dormant season
• Lower pH slightly (7.4) — easier to hold in cold water
• Winterize plumbing if your setup requires it (most DFW pools stay uncovered)
• Drain water below skimmer + tile line if freezing is expected
• Test freeze-guard thermostat — set to 37°F trigger
• Clean and store maintenance tools (poles, nets, vacuum heads)

Pool is barely used. Priorities: freeze protection, baseline sanitation, and equipment monitoring.

• Verify freeze-guard is triggering the pump when temps approach 35°F
• Check chlorine weekly — 1-2 ppm minimum, even in winter
• Keep pH in 7.4-7.6 range
• Skim any remaining leaves
• Inspect cover weekly — drain water pooled on top
• Keep filter pressure gauge in sight — clogs can mean a frozen pipe