On a searing summer day, a swimming pool is a welcome respite from the heat. But before you can dive into its cool blue water, you have to perform all the maintenance drudgery that prolongs its crystal-clear perfection. This often makes a backyard pool more of a burden than a blessing. Here are some of the techniques used to speed up the process and create a safe, refreshing swimming pools.

Step 1: Get Rid of DebrisSkimming the surface of the pool for floating debris and emptying the skimmer basket takes just a minute or two. Dispose of this waste away from the pool so it can't blow back into the water or be tracked back into the area.

Step 2: Set Up the VacuumDirect the nozzles of the return jets on the pool sides downward to quiet surface ripples so you can see the bottom clearly. After connecting the vacuum to the hose, prop up the pole with the vacuum head suspended over the water. Then use one of the jet nozzles to fill the free hose end until the water pours out the vacuum.

Step 3: Vacuum the PoolThe average pool requires 30 minutes of vacuuming. Move slowly across the water in overlapping parallel lines, like mowing a lawn. If the pool is too wide for one pass, vacuum half at a time. Watch for a floating hose, which indicates a hole in the line, or diminshed suction due to a full filter. Complete the cleaning by brushing any algae off the pool sides with a nylon brush on the vacuum pole. For concrete use a stainless steel brush.

Step 4: Adjust the ChemicalsTest and correct pool chemistry weekly. Adjust pH first—with muriatic acid if it's above 7.6 or with soda ash product if it's under 7.4. If the chlorine is below 1 part per million (ppm) or alkalinity is less than 90 ppm, "shock" the water: Dissolve chlorine and/or alkalinity increaser (baking soda works in a pinch) in a bucket of water and toss in.

Step 5: Backwash the FilterTurn the filter valve to "backwash" to redirect water flow. Most pools use one of three kinds of filter: sand, diatomaceous earth (DE), or cartridge. In a sand filter—no longer used in new construction—sand blocks dirt and oil; the backwash directs the dirty water to a waste line leading to the ground or a storm drain. With a DE filter, the claylike remains of marine organisms do the filtering and the backwash directs the dirt into a filter bag.

Step 6: Clean the Pump FilterClean out the hair/lint catcher in the pump next. First, shut the system off, then close the skimmer valve in front of the pump to hold the water in place so the system won't need repriming when it starts up again. Unscrew the trap's cover and remove the basket, emptying it into the garbage.

Step 7: Add Chlorine to the SystemIf you have a chlorinator, a tubelike tank next to the filter, it's a great way to introduce chlorine—in the form of slow-dissolving sticks—into your pool. You can also use a floating container, but it can be a danger if small children get their hands on it.

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