Can you feel the heat? It’s starting to feel like summer again! Every pool owner has a core group of pool supplies that they’ll need at some point during the season.
A great pool is not only a place for your family to enjoy but also a place for you to have fun with friends and swim competitively. Fine-tuning your equipment is the key to setting the perfect environment.
Must-Have Pool Supplies and Tools
Here are some valuable pool supplies and pool tools that can help you create that quality swimming experience. Get to know the essential pool accessories that will protect your family and friends from accidents.
1. Water Testing Kits
Is your pool water clear? You can check your pool water’s chemistry with a chlorine test.
A pool water test kit is an essential pool tool for measuring the pH balance of your swimming pool water. It will guide how much muriatic acid, calcium hardness, chlorine, or bromine you’ll need to maintain the levels required for healthy swimming pool water.
Learn about the top 10 best testing kits to use to monitor pool chemical levels as well as what type of test kit is appropriate for your home pool.
2. Pool Filter
The pool filter helps keep your pool clean and clear of debris that can clog the pipes. If your filter needs replacing, you might want to consider a sand filter. To safeguard and prolong the life of your pool filter, you can install a pool filter cover.
3. Pool Vacuum
This is an essential pool tool any pool owner should have. It can suck up dirt, leaves, bugs, and even algae from the surface of your pool. A vacuum with wheels gets the job done even better as it can easily reach into deep crevices where dirt and bugs like to hide.
Find out what the best automatic pool vacuums are and how to use them properly.
4. Telescopic Poles
A telescopic pole is a helpful pool tool to save you time and effort when cleaning your pool. It’s perfect for ridding the walls and floor of unwanted debris.
5. Pool Brush
The pool brush is an essential pool tool for keeping your pool clean and clear of debris that can easily damage your pool liner or plaster finish. Brushing just once a week can help remove harmful debris from the sides of your pool.
Note: "Make sure not to use any steel tool to clean your liner. This could destroy and easily leave a mark on your liner. Also, if you own a fiberglass pool, it doesn't need deliberately brushing (the Gelcoat surface on a fiberglass pool is smooth and algae-resistant)." - Jason, Author at riverpoolsandspas.com.
6. Pool Net
Pool nets are great pool tools for removing trapped leaves, bugs, and other unnecessary objects from the surface of your pool water.
7. Skimmer
The pool skimmer works perfectly to remove debris from the surface of your pool. It can be time-consuming, but keeping your pool clean and clear of leaves, bugs, and debris is necessary.
8. Pool Vacuum Hose
Calculate the distance between the two furthest places in your swimming pool to determine the optimal length for your hose. Thus, if your skimmer is 30 feet from the farthest corner and your pool is 5 feet deep, you will want a 35-foot-long vacuum hose.
The longer the hose, the more you can reach into deep crevices without having to constantly move it around or lift it up or down due to its length.
9. Pool Cover
A pool cover will keep leaves, debris, and other unwanted objects from entering your pool during inclement weather such as rainstorms and windy days. It’s also perfect for keeping leaves out of the pool during leaf season.
If you’re looking for an automatic pool cover, you should know several things. Learn the pros and cons of automatic pool covers, so you can choose the right one for you.
10. Pool Equipment Hooks
These hooks are handy, especially when you need to clean your pool. They can hold your poles, pool vacuum, skimmer, and many other pool accessories that you need to keep your pool clean and maintenance-free.
11. Chlorine Floater
The floater helps evenly distribute the chlorine all over the water surface. It does this by slowly releasing chemicals to the water surface as it floats around your pool.
12. Vacuum Gauge
This pool tool can measure or detect leaks in your suction system or pipes that can cause lower suction pressure. It’s a reasonable safety precaution to have if you own an automatic pool cleaner.
13. Pool Wastebasket
A wastebasket is a pool tool that helps prevent any accidental throwing of debris or garbage into your pool water. It keeps your cleaning area very tidy and organized too!
14. Suction Filter
The suction filter is used for deep cleaning the pool water. You can clean your pool by using a garden hose or handheld vacuum to suck up dirt, leaves, debris, and other unwanted objects from the bottom of your pool.
15. Pool Vacuum Handle
This handle helps you take control when cleaning your pool with your current or future vacuum cleaner. Without it, you’d have to carry that awkward load into the house with you every time you need to clean up debris somewhere near the water!
16. Pool Ladder
A ladder will help you reach over to the side of the pool if necessary when taking out debris or placing objects in place.
17. Pool Filter Bags
These pool filter bags are sold in sets of 4. They’re an easy way to help you quickly eliminate debris that may have collected on the surface of your pool.
18. Pool Cleaner Wand
A pool cleaner wand can be used to retrieve items like toys, debris, leaves, bugs, and other unwanted objects from the bottom of your pool. It’s an indispensable pool tool when it’s time to clean your pool!
19. Soft Cloths
Sometimes all you need is some soft cloth and a light pool cleaner to remove stubborn stains. This is true if you have a fiberglass pool. Ensure that any pool cleaner liquid you put on your pool is formulated for the sort of pool you own.
20. Pool Sanitizer (Chlorine, Salt, Etc.)
This is one of the most basic pool supplies. If you’re using traditional chlorine, you’ll need chlorine on hand when it’s time to open your pool. Whether you like tablets, liquid, or powder, you can stock up at your local pool store or purchase online.
If you’re building a salt-chlorine generator, you’ll need enough salt on hand to start your pool. For every 2,000 gallons of water, you’ll need 40-50 pounds of salt.
21. Pool Shock
It would help if you always had some pool shock on hand in case your pool becomes an algae-growing area or a muddy mess. This happens regardless of the sanitizing system you use. To keep your pool clean and algae-free, you may want to shock it once a month or every three weeks.
We’ve got the inside scoop on how to use shock, what to use for pool shock, and how to apply it the right way. Check it out!
22. Algaecide
Fiberglass pool owners should not have an issue with algae, but concrete and vinyl liner pool owners must be cautious to keep algae at bay. Algae often collect along stairs and seams in liner pools.
Every inch of a concrete pool with a plaster surface is an algae paradise. A good algaecide should assist you in rapidly eradicating an infestation so that you may resume swimming.
23. Pool Stain Eraser Tools
Finally, no pool owner’s toolbox is complete without a stain eraser. These tiny fellas are so handy for removing stubborn stains from the surface of your pool (just make sure you opt for one that is suitable for your pool type).
Pro tip: Specific pool tool kits have interchangeable heads and can fulfill most of your needs in one package.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I test my pool water using a test kit?
It’s recommended to test your pool water at least once a week during the swimming season and more frequently during hot or rainy periods to ensure proper water balance.
What types of pool chemicals are commonly used for water treatment?
Common pool chemicals include chlorine, bromine, pH balancers, alkalinity increasers, and calcium hardness adjusters. The specific chemicals you need depend on your pool’s water chemistry.
Can I use household cleaning tools for pool maintenance?
While some household tools may work for pool maintenance, it’s best to use tools specifically designed for pools to ensure efficient cleaning and prevent damage to pool surfaces.
How do I choose the right pool brush for my pool’s surface?
Choose a pool brush that matches your pool’s surface material, such as concrete, vinyl, or fiberglass, to avoid potential damage. Soft brushes are suitable for vinyl liners, while stiffer brushes are better for concrete pools.
Can I use pool supplies and tools to address pool water problems like algae or cloudy water?
Yes, pool chemicals, algaecides, clarifiers, and shock treatments can help address common pool water problems. It’s essential to follow proper dosing and treatment procedures.
Bottom Line
It’s essential to have these pool tools and supplies on hand to keep your pool clean and healthy all year long. Just remember to always keep your safety in mind. If you’re going to use any pool cleaning equipment, follow the user manual or directions that come with it.
You can also check out our posts for helpful pool cleaning articles. Good luck and happy swimming!
