It's never good to rely on a pool service technician alone to handle all the responsibilities of maintaining your home's pool. There are many things you should be doing throughout the week to keep the pool in good repair and to keep the water hygienic, clean, and ready for swimming. Proper pool maintenance can also mean far less wear and tear on your pool's pump, filter, and other such pieces. Note a few simple steps you should be taking between visits from your pool cleaner so your pool and the pool water are both protected.

Mind the water levels

If there is too much water in the pool, this can make the pump work harder to push that water through the filter. That added water can also be holding more dirt, silt and other debris that will then overload the filter.

If the water level is too low, the chemicals you add to the pool may not circulate throughout that water, and they might settle around the pool walls or your skin or get caught in the filter. Your pool installer should note the proper water levels for the pool size and pump you have, so be sure the water doesn't stray very far from this recommended level.

Check the pump gasket

A pool pump will usually have a top part that you can open in order to remove leaves and other debris. There is typically a rubber piece along this opening, called a gasket, that helps to create an airtight seal when the pump is closed. If this gasket gets brittle or otherwise shrunken, as might happen over time, or if it should slip out of place, this can allow air to get into the pump. Check that gasket on a regular basis and replace it when needed to keep the seal airtight.

Be alert to odours

If you notice an overwhelming chlorine smell, check the chemical levels, even if you did so recently. The chlorine you've added may not have dissolved properly, or the pool water levels may be low. If you can smell oil or any type of mechanical odour, check the pump to see if it's working properly or if it needs new bearings. The smell of algae may mean that the water is not very clean; check the chemical levels and use an algae killer to remove any algae that is developing along the water's surface.