There’s nothing better than having your own above ground pool during the summer. It’s your little escape—a place for BBQ parties, lazy weekends, or just cooling off after a long day. But owning a pool isn’t just about fun. It’s also about keeping it healthy, safe, and ready to dive into at any moment.
Here’s the problem: a lot of pool owners make the same small mistakes over and over. At first, they don’t notice the damage. Then one day, the liner is ruined, the pump isn’t working, or the water looks like a swamp. By that point, you’re spending hundreds of dollars (sometimes more) to fix something that could have been prevented with a little care.
At ABC123PROS, we’ve helped countless homeowners clean up messes that started out as tiny oversights. That’s why we put together this guide. Let’s walk through the most common mistakes in above ground pool maintenance, and how you can avoid them to save yourself both time and money.
Letting Chlorine Levels Slip
Chlorine is what keeps your pool water safe and inviting. Ignore it for too long, and you’ll start seeing cloudy water, algae growth, or worse, bacteria that make swimming unsafe. Go too heavy on chlorine, and you end up with irritated eyes, itchy skin, and a pool liner that wears out twice as fast.
We see this mistake all the time. Someone thinks, “I’ll test the water next weekend,” but by then the balance is completely off.
What you can do: Test your water a couple of times a week, especially in the peak of summer when the sun burns off chlorine faster. If you’d rather not fuss with test strips, that’s where our above ground pool cleaning service comes in. We keep the levels steady so you don’t have to second-guess whether your pool is safe to swim in.
Ignoring Small Liner Problems
Your pool’s liner is like the skin that holds everything together. Even the tiniest tear, wrinkle, or bit of fading can turn into a big headache if you ignore it. Water seeps out, dirt sneaks in, and before you know it, you’re shopping for a brand-new liner.
We once worked with a customer who brushed off a small liner wrinkle. A season later, the liner had stretched and torn, and replacing it cost far more than a simple repair would have.
What you can do: Inspect your liner regularly. If you spot small issues, fix them right away. And don’t underestimate how much regular cleaning helps. Brushing and vacuuming prevents dirt and algae from eating away at the liner in the first place.
Forgetting About the Pump and Filter
Think of your pump and filter as the heart and lungs of your pool. If they’re not working right, the water won’t circulate, and that’s when problems start multiplying. Dirty filters clog up, pumps strain under pressure, and suddenly your pool water looks murky even though you’ve added the right chemicals.
A lot of pool owners simply forget about filter cleaning or assume the pump can run less to save electricity. The truth is, running it too little or skipping maintenance ends up costing way more in the long run.
What you can do: Clean your filter as recommended, and keep your pump running enough hours each day to move all the water through the system. It’s not glamorous work, but it pays off.
Relying on Chemicals Alone
Chemicals are important, but they can’t do everything. Sunscreen, body oils, dust, and leaves all cling to pool walls and floors. If you don’t physically brush and vacuum, they build up. Algae loves that kind of environment, and suddenly no amount of chlorine seems to solve the problem.
What you can do: Make brushing and vacuuming part of your routine. If you don’t want to spend your weekends scrubbing, our team at ABC123PROS can handle that for you. We’ll take the hassle off your plate so you can just enjoy your pool.
Leaving the Pool Uncovered
A cover might seem optional, but it’s one of the simplest money-savers you can buy. Leave the pool uncovered, and leaves, bugs, and pollen get into the water every day. That clogs your filter, throws off your chemical balance, and makes cleaning a lot harder than it has to be.
A cover also prevents water loss from evaporation, which means fewer top-offs and lower bills if you heat your pool.
What you can do: Invest in a decent pool cover and use it whenever the pool isn’t in use. It’s a small step that keeps maintenance much easier.
Not Paying Attention to Water Levels
This one surprises a lot of homeowners. If your water is too low, the pump can suck in air and burn out. Too high, and your skimmer can’t do its job. Both scenarios lead to unnecessary repairs.
What you can do: Keep an eye on water levels, especially after heavy rain or during hot spells. Adjust as needed so your pump and skimmer can work the way they’re designed to.
Using Chemicals the Wrong Way
Dumping in chemicals without reading instructions or mixing products that shouldn’t be mixed is risky. Not only can it damage your pool, but it’s also unsafe. Another common mistake we see: shocking the pool in broad daylight. The sun eats up most of the chlorine, which means you’re wasting money.
What you can do: Add shock treatments in the evening, and always follow directions carefully. If you’d rather not deal with the guesswork, professionals like us handle it properly every time.
Waiting Until Something Breaks
The biggest mistake of all is treating maintenance like an afterthought. If you only act once there’s a visible problem—like green water or a broken pump—you’ve already lost money. Preventive care always costs less than emergency fixes.
Why Professional Care Is Worth It
You might think hiring a professional above ground pool cleaning service is an added expense, but it often saves money in the long run. At ABC123PROS, we’ve helped homeowners extend the life of their liners, avoid expensive pump repairs, and keep their pools swim-ready all season without stress.
Here’s what you get when you let us take care of your pool:
- Consistent water testing and chemical balancing
- Early detection of small problems before they get expensive
- Proper cleaning that keeps liners, pumps, and filters in top shape
- More free time for you to enjoy your pool instead of maintaining it
When you look at it that way, professional service isn’t a luxury. It’s smart ownership.
Final Thoughts
Owning an above ground pool should be about enjoyment, not frustration. The mistakes we’ve covered—like skipping chlorine checks, ignoring liner wear, or forgetting to clean filters—are easy to make but costly in the long run. By avoiding them, you’ll save time, protect your investment, and get more fun out of every swim.
If you’d rather not worry about the details, let ABC123PROS handle your above ground pool maintenance for you. Our cleaning service keeps your pool in perfect condition so you can simply relax and enjoy it.
Get in touch with ABC123PROS today and find out how effortless pool care can be.
