When you buy a house with a pool or decide to put one in yourself, it’s nerve-racking and super exciting at the same time. Thing is you’re ready to float the summer away, but you’re not sure you have the time or know-how to keep it clean?  Nodding your head? I get it. There IS a steep learning curve, but good for you I’ve learned a thing or two over the years about pools, homeowners, and the best advice for newbies. Advice like:  1. You’ve gotta clean it regularly. Want no funk and all fun? Use your skimmer, pool vacuum, and scrub brush to clean the water and walls of your pool. Vacuum daily, skim every few days, and scrub weekly. 2. You’ve gotta check your chemicals. Every two weeks, use your water testing kit to check the chemical levels in your water. Pay close attention to ph, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels. Sound complicated? It's not—promise! Still not sure? You can always give an automated pool chemical system a try. 3. You’ve gotta keep the water moving. To get the most from your elbow grease and chemicals, you've got to keep the water moving. Make a habit of checking for movement in the water every time you pass by the pool—movement is a good indicator your pump is running just as it should. 4. You’ve gotta know when to call for help. Befriend a local pool company and when you see green water, cloudy water, excessive water loss, or a dirty filter, give them a call. Finding a pool guy you trust can help you get the answers you need.