Arizona Pool Maintenance — The Real Monthly Checklist

Weekly — 15 minutes

• Skim the surface, brush walls and tile line, empty pump + skimmer baskets.
• Test free chlorine (1–3 ppm), pH (7.4–7.6), TA (80–120 ppm) — strips are fine, drop kits are better.
• Adjust chemicals before adding more; never dose blind.
• Check water level — top off if more than 2" below skimmer mouth.

Monthly — 45 minutes

• Backwash or rinse filter (DE: every 4–6 weeks; cartridge: hose off, deep-clean quarterly).
• Test cyanuric acid (CYA 30–50 ppm) and calcium hardness (200–400 ppm).
• Inspect cell if salt — visible scale = vinegar-soak this month.
• Lubricate o-rings on pump lid and valves with silicone (NEVER petroleum).
• Walk the equipment pad — listen for new noises, look for drips.

Quarterly

Shock + clarifier after big storms or heavy use. Brush waterline tile with calcium dissolver if scale is visible. Adjust the pump schedule for the season — run 8 hrs in summer, 4–5 in winter on variable-speed (single-speed is double either way). Order winter cover or check existing for tears.

Annual

Drain ¼ and refill (or full drain every 5–7 years to reset TDS), deep-clean salt cell with diluted muriatic acid, replace pump filter cartridges, inspect heater for soot/corrosion, professionally inspect bonding lugs and GFCI breakers. This is the visit where we catch $200 fixes before they become $4,000 ones.