Keeping a pool itself clean will mean having fresh, hygienic water that is safe for swimming, and will also mean less wear and tear on the pool's pump and filter, so that these work more effectively and need fewer repairs over time. However, cleaning your pool may be more complicated than you realize, and it's easy to make some simple mistakes that could result in dirty water, or even damage to the pool itself! Note a few of those mistakes here so you can avoid them with your own pool, or so you can decide if simply hiring a professional pool cleaner is a better choice for your home.

Brushing the pool

Vacuuming the pool isn't enough to remove algae and other contaminants that cling to pool walls, so you need to actually brush the pool's walls and floors, along with regular vacuuming. While this brushing is important, you also want to ensure you use an actual pool brush that is meant for your pool's material in particular, whether that's vinyl, concrete, or tile.

Harsh scrub brushes can leave marks and abrasions on certain materials, or outright tear pool liners. Brushes that are too soft also won't properly clean a pool's surface. Ask someone at your pool supply store for the right brush to use, or leave this cleaning job to a professional, to ensure the pool is always properly brushed without being damaged.

Adding shock

A pool shock is a concentrated amount of cleaner, and while it's good to occasionally shock your home's pool, one common mistake made by many pool owners is to assume that all shocks are alike. A pool owner may also add a shock without realizing that they may need to first dilute the substance. These mistakes can damage your home's pool, as some shocks may be too caustic for a vinyl or tile pool, and some shocks need to be dissolved in a bucket of water before being added to the water. Adding a shock during the day, when the sun is hot and bright, can also allow the shock to simply burn up in hot sunlight, before it can be effective.

To avoid the risk of damage to your pool, be sure you use a shock meant for your pool's material. Note, too, if it should be diluted, and where and how it should be added to the pool; it's also good to add the shock in the evening, so it can work properly without being exposed to sunlight.