Just Bought a House with a Pool? Start Here

Congratulations on the new home — and welcome to pool ownership. If you’re new to this, the pool in your backyard can feel overwhelming. Here’s your no-nonsense guide to getting started, especially if you’re in Steiner Ranch, Lakeway, or anywhere in the West Austin area.

Week One: The Essentials

1. Find Your Equipment

Walk around the house and locate your pool equipment pad. It’s usually on the side of the house or behind a fence. Identify:

• Pump — the thing that makes noise and moves water
• Filter — the large tank next to the pump
• Heater (if you have one) — usually the largest piece of equipment
• Automation panel (if you have one) — a control panel, possibly with a screen

Take photos of everything, including model numbers and serial numbers on the labels. You’ll need these eventually.

2. Check the Water Level

The water should be at the middle of the skimmer opening (the rectangular opening in the pool wall). Too low and the pump sucks air. Too high and the skimmer can’t do its job.

3. Make Sure the Pump Runs

Check that your pump is running on a schedule. Most automation systems have a schedule programmed. If you’re not sure, set it to run at least 8 hours per day. In summer, bump that to 10-12.

4. Test the Water

Buy a basic test kit or take a water sample to your local pool store (Leslie’s, Pinch A Penny). You need to know:

• Free Chlorine
• pH
• Alkalinity
• CYA (stabilizer)
• Calcium hardness

5. Get a Professional Inspection

Before you invest in maintenance, have a pool professional inspect the equipment, surface, and plumbing. This is especially important if the previous owner’s maintenance history is unknown. The Pool Police offers comprehensive inspections.

Common Surprises for New Pool Owners

”The previous owner said the pool was fine”

Maybe it was. But “fine” has a range. We regularly find:

• Equipment running on incorrect schedules
• Chemistry that’s been “close enough” for years, causing hidden surface damage
• Filters that haven’t been cleaned in months
• Salt cells caked with scale
• Automation systems running in manual mode instead of automatic

”My water bill went up”

Pools in Austin lose 1-2 inches of water per week to evaporation in summer. That’s hundreds of gallons. An autofill system helps, but if you’re losing more than that, you may have a leak. Track your water level weekly.

”There’s stuff growing on my waterline”

Calcium scale. Very common with Austin’s hard water. It’s the white crusty buildup at the waterline. Regular brushing helps. If it’s severe, you may need an acid wash or tile cleaning.

”Bugs keep ending up in my pool”

Welcome to Texas. Skimmer baskets exist for a reason — check them twice a week minimum. Consider a skimmer sock for fine debris.

Monthly Costs to Expect

For a typical residential pool in the West Austin area:

DIY vs. Professional Service

You can absolutely maintain your own pool. Many homeowners do. But be honest about:

• Time — proper weekly maintenance takes 1-2 hours
• Consistency — skipping weeks leads to problems that cost more to fix
• Knowledge — chemistry and equipment aren’t intuitive at first
• Texas heat — maintaining a pool in July when it’s 105°F is no joke

Professional weekly service runs $150-250/month in the Austin area. For many homeowners, especially busy professionals in Steiner Ranch and Lakeway, the math works out when you factor in your time, chemical costs, and the cost of mistakes.

New to pool ownership? The Pool Police offers free inspections for new homeowners. Let us show you what you have and set you up for success. Call (512) 300-4136.