How to Keep Your Pool Clean Year-Round in Bakersfield (Practical Guide from SplashTech Pool Service)

Keeping a pool clean in Bakersfield isn’t the same as in cooler, less dusty areas. Between the constant wind off the foothills, 110°+ summer days, and our famously hard water, buildup happens fast if you let things slide even a week.

We’re SplashTech Pool Service—we clean and maintain pools across town, from Oildale and northwest neighborhoods to Rosedale, Seven Oaks, and the southwest side. Over the years we’ve seen what actually works (and what doesn’t) for local homeowners. Here’s the straightforward routine that keeps the pools on our routes looking good with the least amount of hassle.

1. Skim and Empty Baskets Daily (Takes 2 Minutes)

Leaves, pollen, and dust don’t wait. A quick skim every morning and emptying the skimmer/pump baskets keeps debris from sinking and clogging the system. In spring when the cottonwoods are blowing through Rosedale, doing this daily saves you hours of vacuuming later.

2. Brush Walls, Steps, and Tile Weekly

Algae and calcium start on vertical surfaces first. A good nylon (or stainless for tile) brush once a week knocks it off before it sets in. Pay extra attention to the waterline—our hard water leaves that ring fast. Five to ten minutes of brushing makes vacuuming easier and keeps plaster and tile from etching.

3. Vacuum or Run the Automatic Cleaner Weekly

If you have a robotic cleaner, run it 2–3 times a week in summer. Manual vacuuming to waste when the bottom looks gritty (common after wind storms). Getting the fine dust out prevents cloudy water and keeps the filter from working overtime.

4. Test and Balance Chemicals at Least Twice a Week

Heat and sun burn through chlorine quickly here. Keep:

• Free chlorine: 2–4 ppm

• pH: 7.4–7.6 (higher and you get scale, lower and equipment corrodes)

• Total alkalinity: 80–120 ppm

• Calcium hardness: 200–400 ppm

A decent test kit (we like Taylor K-2006) pays for itself fast. Adjust as needed—small doses often beat big corrections later.

5. Clean the Filter When Pressure Rises

Watch your filter gauge. When pressure is 8–10 psi above the normal clean reading:

• Backwash sand filters

• Hose off cartridges

• Recharge DE filters

Doing this on schedule keeps flow strong and cuts down on pump energy use (and your PG&E bill).

6. Shock the Pool Weekly in Summer

Our intense UV kills chlorine fast, so a weekly shock (usually Friday night after everyone’s done swimming) burns off organics and keeps the water clear. Use cal-hypo or dichlor—both work fine in our water. Just broadcast it at dusk and let the pump run overnight.

7. Run the Pump Long Enough—But Not Too Long

In peak summer you need one full turnover (8–12 hours depending on pool size). Variable-speed pumps make this cheap; single-speed owners usually set a timer for off-peak hours to save on electricity.

8. Use a Cover When the Pool Isn’t in Use

A solar blanket or safety cover cuts evaporation, keeps debris out, and reduces chemical and heat loss. Even using it during the work week makes a noticeable difference in cleanliness and cost.

When DIY Gets Old (Most People’s Reality)

These steps work great, but life gets busy. That’s why the majority of clean pools we see in Bakersfield are on a reliable weekly service route. We handle everything above (plus inspect equipment) so owners can just show up and swim.

If you’re ready to hand off the work, give us a call or text. We’ve got openings on routes across town and always offer a no-pressure water test and quote.

Thanks for reading—hope this helps keep your pool looking good through another Valley summer.

— The SplashTech Team Bakersfield locals keeping Bakersfield pools clean