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A few good tools make looking after your pool much easier
Owning a pool at home is a real joy. Clear, inviting water on a warm evening is hard to beat. Keeping it that way takes a little regular care, and the right tools make that care quick and simple.
You don’t need a shed full of gadgets. A sensible pool maintenance kit covers testing the water, cleaning the surfaces, handling chemicals safely and keeping a simple record of what you’ve done. Most of it lives happily in a dry cupboard or plant room, ready whenever you need it.
In this guide we’ll walk through the everyday items every owner should keep to hand, what each one is for, and how to store it all safely. We’ll also explain what we go through with you at handover, and where our servicing team can take some of the work off your plate.
Why a little kit goes a long way
Small jobs done often are far easier than big jobs done late. A quick skim, a brush and a water test each week will stop most problems before they start. When everything you need is in one place, those jobs take minutes rather than turning into a weekend project.
Testing the water comes first in any pool maintenance kit
If you only buy one thing, make it something to check your water. Clear water isn’t always balanced water. Pools can look lovely while the chemistry quietly drifts, and by the time you see a problem it’s usually harder to fix.
Choosing a test kit or test strips
There are two common ways to check your water at home:
- Test strips. You dip a strip in the water, wait a few seconds and compare the colours to a chart on the tub. They’re quick, cheap to replace and ideal for a fast weekly check.
- Liquid or tablet tests. You fill a small tube with pool water, add drops or a tablet, and compare the colour. They take a little longer but many owners find them easier to read accurately.
A good test kit will measure free chlorine (or bromine), pH and total alkalinity as a minimum. Some also check calcium hardness and stabiliser. For most home pools, a weekly test during the swimming season is a sensible routine, with an extra check after heavy use, a storm or a hot spell.
What the numbers should look like
As a rough guide, most pools are happiest with pH somewhere around 7.2 to 7.6. Chlorine levels depend on your pool and how it’s used, and your installer or service engineer will give you target ranges that suit your setup. If you’d like more detail, our guide to chlorine levels in a pool explains what the readings mean and how to adjust them.
Look after your testing supplies
Strips and reagents don’t last forever. Keep them sealed, dry and out of direct sunlight, and check the expiry date on the pack. An old or damp tub can give misleading readings, which leads to adding chemicals you don’t actually need.
Cleaning tools every pool maintenance kit should include
Once you know the water is balanced, the next job is keeping leaves, dust and debris out of it. A handful of simple tools does most of the work.
Telescopic pole
This is the backbone of your cleaning set. A sturdy telescopic pole clips onto your net, brush and vacuum head, so you can reach every corner without leaning over the edge. Look for one that locks firmly at different lengths and doesn’t flex too much when extended.
Skimmer net
A leaf net lifts floating debris off the surface before it sinks. A quick skim in the morning, especially in autumn, stops leaves settling on the floor and staining the finish. There are two main types:
- A flat skimmer net for surface leaves, insects and grass
- A deeper bag net for scooping up heavier debris from the floor
Wall and floor brush
Brushing loosens dirt and algae before they have a chance to take hold. Pay attention to steps, corners and the waterline, where grime tends to collect. Always use a brush suited to your pool surface. A soft brush is right for most modern finishes, and your installer can confirm what suits yours.
Vacuum head and hose, or a robotic cleaner
Some dirt will always settle on the floor. A manual vacuum head and hose connects to your filtration system, letting you clear it by hand. It’s simple and reliable, though it takes a little time.
Many owners prefer a robotic cleaner that works its way around the floor and walls on its own. You drop it in, switch it on and lift it out when it’s finished. Our guide to robotic pool cleaners looks at whether one is right for you.
Waterline cleaning pad
A soft sponge or pad helps shift the greasy line that forms around the edge from sun cream and body oils. Use it with plain water or a cleaner made for pools. Never use household products, as they can upset your water balance.
Keeping a thermometer and a log book close by
These two items are easy to overlook, but they make a big difference to how well you understand your pool.
A floating thermometer
A simple thermometer tells you how warm the water really is. That matters for comfort, but it also matters for chemistry. Warmer water uses chlorine faster and gives algae more of a chance, so a quick look at the temperature helps you judge when to test more often.
A simple log book
Write down each test result, what you added, the date and anything unusual. It sounds old fashioned, but it’s one of the most useful habits you can build. Over a season you’ll start to see patterns, such as how your pool reacts to a heatwave or a busy weekend with friends. If you ever call us out, a log book also helps our engineers get to the root of a problem much faster.
You can use a notebook, a spreadsheet or an app. The format doesn’t matter. What counts is keeping it up.
Storing chemicals safely is part of your pool maintenance kit
Most pools need some chemicals to stay healthy. These are safe when used properly, but they deserve respect. How you store and handle them is every bit as important as which ones you use.
Protective gear to keep with your chemicals
Keep a pair of chemical resistant gloves and some eye protection right next to your chemical store. That way you’ll never be tempted to skip them because they’re in another room. A small bucket used only for dissolving chemicals is also handy.
Safe handling habits
Follow these simple rules every time:
- Always read and follow the label on the product.
- Wear gloves and eye protection when measuring or adding chemicals.
- Never mix different chemicals together, even if they’re the same brand of product or look similar.
- Always add chemical to water, never water to chemical.
- Add one product at a time and let the pump circulate the water before adding another.
- Keep swimmers out of the water until it’s balanced again.
- Wash your hands and rinse any equipment afterwards.
Where to store them
Chemicals should live somewhere cool, dry, well ventilated and locked. Keep them in their original containers with the lids tightly closed. Store them off the floor, away from direct sunlight, and well away from children and pets. Keep different products apart on separate shelves if you can, so there’s no chance of spills mixing. If anything looks damaged, clumped or past its date, ask for advice on disposing of it safely rather than putting it in the bin.
For a plain English overview of what each product does, have a read of our guide to pool chemicals, and always check with your engineer if you’re unsure.
Spare parts worth keeping in the plant room
A few spares can save you a frustrating wait when something small wears out, and they round off a sensible pool maintenance kit. You don’t need to stockpile, but these are worth having:
- Spare skimmer basket and pump strainer basket lids or seals
- O rings for the pump lid and filter housing, plus a tube of lubricant suitable for pool fittings
- A spare filter cartridge if your system uses one
- Replacement brush heads and net bags
- Fresh test strips or reagents so your test kit never runs dry mid season
Always check the part numbers match your equipment before buying. If you’re not sure, just ask us and we’ll point you in the right direction. For anything electrical, or if you’re unsure how a part fits, leave it to a qualified engineer.
Keep it all together
A labelled box or a couple of wall hooks in the plant room make life easier. Hang the pole, nets and brush on the wall, keep the small spares in a sealed container, and store the chemicals separately in their locked cupboard. When everything has a home, the weekly routine becomes second nature.
What we cover at handover and through servicing
When we install a new pool, swim spa or spa, we don’t just hand over the keys and leave. We take time to show you how everything works, from the filtration and heating controls to testing the water and adding chemicals safely. We’ll talk you through the pool maintenance kit that suits your particular setup and answer any questions along the way.
Help when you want it
Some owners love doing the weekly jobs themselves. Others would rather spend their time swimming. Our aftercare, servicing and repairs team can help either way. We can check your equipment, balance the water, look at filters and pumps, and spot small issues before they become bigger ones. If you have a question about anything we haven’t mentioned, just talk to us about it.
For a fuller picture of the routine care a pool needs through the year, our complete guide to swimming pool maintenance is a good next step. And if you’re still at the planning stage, you can explore our full range of pools to see what might suit your garden.
Pool kit questions we get asked a lot
How often should I test my pool water?
Once a week during the swimming season is a good starting point. Test more often after heavy use, a spell of hot weather or a big storm.
Are test strips accurate enough?
For everyday checks, yes, as long as they’re in date and stored properly. If a reading looks odd, double check it with a liquid test or ask your service engineer.
Do I need a robotic cleaner?
Not necessarily, and it isn’t an essential part of a pool maintenance kit. A manual vacuum does the same job. A robotic cleaner simply saves time and effort, which many busy owners appreciate.
Can I keep pool chemicals in the garage?
You can if it’s cool, dry, ventilated and lockable, and the chemicals are kept away from fuel, fertilisers, children and pets. Always follow the storage advice on the label.
What should I do if I spill a chemical?
Keep people and pets away, put on your gloves and eye protection, and follow the clean up advice on the product label. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer’s helpline on the packaging.
Will HiLife show me how to use everything?
Yes. We walk every new owner through their equipment and water care at handover, and we’re always happy to answer questions afterwards.
Put together your pool maintenance kit and enjoy the water
A well stocked kit doesn’t need to be complicated. Something to test the water, a pole with a net and a brush, a way to clear the floor, a thermometer, a log book, safely stored chemicals and a few spares will cover almost everything. Keep it tidy, use it little and often, and your pool will reward you with clear, comfortable water all season. And whenever you’d like a hand, we’re only a phone call away.
Call us on 01483 323 676 or email hello@hilifepools.co.uk for a friendly, no-pressure chat, or get in touch online and we’ll come back to you.
