What Tools Do You Need for Pool Maintenance?

By Alana Luna

July 18, 2024

Installing a backyard pool brings a bit of the tropics to your area code — even if you’re more likely to be surrounded by snow drifts than palm trees.

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But for your oasis to stay as pleasurable as possible, it’s crucial to take care of issues that could affect aesthetics, pool operations and hygiene. That starts with being sure your home is outfitted with the proper tools for pool maintenance.

Pool Brush and Pole

A pool brush — often and preferably attached to a pole — helps make quick work of scrubbing everything from the pool walls and sides to the steps of your pool ladder and the top of your deck. Many homeowners favor nylon bristles, which are suitable for delicate surfaces made of vinyl or fiberglass. Stainless-steel bristles are also an option, but save them for concrete and plaster pools and patios that can stand up to the stiff, abrasive steel.

The pole itself is important, too. Opt for a telescopic pole and you can extend your reach exponentially further than you’d get with a non-extendable pole. Poles made to accommodate various attachments can also be money savers — one pole can be used with multiple heads that help with brushing, skimming and vacuuming.

Estimated cost: $7.62 to $63 (CAD 10 to CAD 86)

Pool Pole Attachments

Your pool pole can be used for much more than scrubbing up dirt and debris. Many poles are capable of holding various attachments that maximize efficiency when it’s time to tackle pool maintenance.

Leaf rake: Leaf rakes aren’t truly rakes. Unlike the pronged tools you use to clear leaves from your lawn in autumn, the pool version is more like a wide-mouth net used to scoop leaves out of the water.
Pool skimmer: Skimmers are similar to leaf rakes except the net portion is shallow and more durable. This design makes it easier to capture larger pieces of debris, like tree branches or garbage blown around during a windstorm.
Vacuum heads: Screw your vacuum head to a pole and use the secondary adaptor for a hose and you have a tool that scrubs and sucks up dirt on demand. Look for models that swivel and feature angular sides to get in those tight corners quickly and easily.
Venturi leaf bagger: These handy gadgets hook up to your garden hose and use water pressure to suck up leaves, twigs and other undesirable items in your pool water.

Estimated cost: From $11 (CAD 15) for simple attachments like a leaf skimmer to $191+ (CAD 262+) for commercial-grade pool vacuum attachments

Pool Vacuum

Pool vacuum attachments for your skimming pole can be helpful, but for truly clean water, you should invest in a dedicated vacuum that can cover larger areas. Some even run when you’re not around, like the robot vacuums that patrol the bottom of your pool when you’re in between dips.

Robotic vacuums are more costly but effective. Lack of reliance on manual power is a big plus. But automatic pool cleaners also suction out the sides, not just the front, and use pressure to clean deeper than you might be able to on your own.

Estimated cost: From $11 (CAD 15) for pole vacuum attachments to $1,300+ (CAD 1,782+) for luxury robotic vacuums

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Chemical Dispensers

Your pool water must maintain a precise balance of certain chemicals, including chlorine and bromine, to provide swimmers with water that’s clean and healthy. Too much of any additive can make the water caustic and even cause skin or lung issues. Too little and the water isn’t protected against bacteria and other toxic invaders.

You can use a floating chlorine dispenser to distribute chlorine evenly throughout your pool on a continuous basis. There are also chemical feeders that can be programmed to dispense chemicals as directed.

Estimated cost: From $10 (CAD 14) for a floating chlorine feeder to $534+ (CAD 732+) for automatic in-line dispensers

Test Kits

Instead of wondering whether your swimming pool chemicals are in balance, use test kits to pinpoint the exact pH level. Options include:

Test strips that can be dipped in the water and compared to a color chart to determine saturation
Liquid kits that test a sample of pool water in a test tube
Digital testers that are costly but highly accurate

Estimated cost: From $12 (CAD 16) for test strips to $380 (CAD 521) for digital testers

Miscellaneous Pool Maintenance Tools

Round out your pool maintenance kit with other essentials that can help you keep the water swim-ready at all times:

Pool cover
Filtration system and filter cleaner
Thermometer
Water hose

Installing an above-ground or inground pool can be one of the most exciting additions you’ll make to your house. Build the right cache of pool maintenance tools and you’ll keep your investment as beautiful and clean as possible.

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