🏊 How Much Time Per Week Should You Spend on Pool Maintenance?

If you're a pool owner—or thinking about becoming one—you've probably asked yourself: "How much time does pool maintenance really take each week?" The good news is, with the right approach and tools, pool care can be manageable, even enjoyable.

Let’s break it down so you know what to expect—and how to keep your pool sparkling clean without losing your weekend.

⏱️ Average Weekly Time Commitment: 3-4 Hours

For most homeowners with a standard in-ground or above-ground pool, you’ll spend about 3 to 4 per week on maintenance if you're doing it all yourself. This includes:

• Skimming and cleaning

• Balancing chemicals

• Checking equipment

• Occasional deep cleaning

Let’s dive into what that really looks like.

🧹 Daily & Weekly Pool Maintenance Tasks

You don’t have to clean your pool every single day, but consistent upkeep is key. Here’s how your week might break down:

👉 Total: About 2 hours per week

⚙️ Equipment Checks & Filter Cleaning

• Empty skimmer & pump baskets: 1x/week (10–15 minutes)

• Backwash or clean filters: Every 2–4 weeks (30–60 minutes)

• If your system uses Hurricane cartridge filters then this can be faster than backwashing out a sand system. We recommend you keep two cartridge filters on hand so there is always one ready to go. Soak the dirty cartridge for a few hours or ideally overnight in a degreasing agent or acid bath before spraying clean.  Let it fully dry before using it again.

Staying on top of this prevents breakdowns and keeps water circulating efficiently.

🧪 Don't Forget Water Chemistry!

Testing and balancing your water is essential for swimmer safety and preventing algae, scaling, or corrosion. At minimum, test:

• Chlorine

• pH

• Alkalinity

• Calcium hardness

💡 Pro tip: Use test strips or a digital water tester to speed up this step.

🤖 Cut Time with Pool Automation

Want to reduce your hands-on time to just 1–2 hours a week? Invest in:

• Robotic pool cleaners

• Automatic chlorinators

• Variable-speed pumps with timers

• Smart pool monitors

These tools do the heavy lifting so you can spend more time swimming and less time scrubbing.

👷 Should You Hire a Pool Service?

If time is limited or you’re not confident with pool chemistry, hiring a professional may be your best move. Weekly service typically includes:

• Cleaning

• Chemical balancing

• Equipment inspection

Expect to pay $80–$150 per visit, depending on location and pool size.

✅ Final Takeaway

A clean, healthy pool requires consistency—not constant effort.

• DIY: Expect 3-4 hours/week.

• With automation: Trim that to 1–2 hours.

• With a pool service: Virtually zero time.

By sticking to a routine and using the right tools, you can enjoy your pool without being bogged down by maintenance.