Oh, you shocked it? Balanced the pH? Bought those expensive chlorine tablets? Wow. Gold star.
Except your water still looks like a bad soup and smells like regret. Why? Because you forgot to run your pump for 24 hours straight when it needed it.
And if you’re sitting there thinking, “No way, I’m on top of everything,” let’s rip off the Band-Aid and talk about what else you’re ignoring.
You’re Stingy With Pump Time
You treat your pool pump like it’s a luxury, not a necessity. Four hours here. Maybe six on weekends. You’re proud of “saving energy.”
Here’s the truth: stagnant water is a germ party. During summer, especially after shocking or heavy use, your pump needs a full 24-hour run to push chemicals through every inch of water.
Fix: Run it 24 hours after shocking. Then 8–12 hours daily in season.
Skimmer and Pump Baskets Are Stuffed
Oh look, your skimmer is full of leaves and mystery goop. Again. Do you think water can magically flow through a basket full of soggy twigs and bugs?
Fix: Empty both skimmer and pump baskets every two days, minimum. More if it’s windy or after a storm.
You Backwash… Never
You’ve probably convinced yourself backwashing is optional. You wait for the water to look bad before you even think about it. The truth is, when the pressure gauge shows 8–10 psi above normal, it’s time.
Fix: Check that gauge weekly and backwash when it tells you to. Not when you “feel like it.”
Testing in the Wrong Spot
You dip your test strip in right by the return jet. Of course it looks balanced there. That’s where treated water comes out. Meanwhile, the other end of the pool is a swamp.
Fix: Test in at least two or three spots around the pool.
You Think Chemicals Are Magic
You dump in chlorine, throw in a tab, and think you’re done. No amount of chlorine can fix water that isn’t moving. Circulation is what actually lets those chemicals work.
Fix: Stop thinking of the pump as optional. It’s your water’s lifeline.
Your “Stop Being That Person” Checklist
If you’re serious about not being the reason your pool looks gross, here’s what to do:
- Run the pump 24 hours after shocking, then 8–12 hours daily
- Empty skimmer and pump baskets every other day
- Backwash when the gauge is 8–10 psi over normal
- Test water in different areas, not just by the jet
- Respect the pump. Chemicals can’t move themselves.
Your pool doesn’t care about your excuses. Water needs to move. Filters need to breathe. And pumps need more than a few hours to work their magic.
So stop treating your pump like an afterthought and start treating it like the backbone of your pool. Because it is.
