2026 Austin Spring Pool Maintenance Checklist

The Texas sun is starting to peek out, the bluebonnets are blooming, and that means one thing for Austin homeowners: pool season is right around the corner! But before you jump into the deep end, there is some work to do.

If your pool has been sitting through the winter, it probably needs a little love. Between the spring rains and the cedar pollen (we all know that struggle!), your pool water and equipment have likely taken a hit.

At Centex Pool Repair, we want you to have a stress-free summer. That is why we put together this easy 2026 Austin spring pool maintenance checklist. Follow these steps to make sure your water is clear and your equipment is ready to go.

1. Clean Out the Winter Debris

The first step is always the messiest. In Austin, spring means plenty of leaves, twigs, and that yellow dust we call pollen. If you live in an area with lots of Live Oaks or Cedar trees, you know exactly what we are talking about. Those leaves and tassels can stain your plaster if they sit on the bottom for too long.

• Skim the surface: Use a heavy-duty net to get all the floating debris out before it sinks.
• Empty the baskets: Check your skimmer and pump baskets. If they are packed with gunk, your pump has to work twice as hard to move water, which leads to overheating.
• Brush the walls and floor: Use a pool brush to scrub every inch. This knocks loose any invisible algae "spores" that might be starting to grow in the shade or in the corners.
• Clear the Deck: Don't forget to sweep or blow the pool deck. If you leave dirt on the concrete, it will just blow right into the water the next time the wind picks up.

2. Check and Refill Your Water Level

During the winter, your pool might have lost some water due to evaporation, wind, or even a small hidden leak that went unnoticed because the pool wasn't being used. Your water level should be right at the middle of your skimmer opening.

If the water is too low, the skimmer will suck in air instead of water. This is called "losing prime," and it can burn out your pump's motor or melt the plastic plumbing in just a few hours! If you find yourself having to add water every few days just to keep the pump running, you might have a problem that needs a professional eye.

3. Inspect Your Pool Equipment Pad

This is the most important part of the checklist. After a few months of light use or sitting dormant during a freeze, your pool's "organs" need a thorough check-up.

• The Pump: Turn it on and listen closely. It should be a steady hum. If it sounds like a jet engine, a bag of marbles, or makes a high-pitched screeching sound, the bearings or the motor are failing. Replacing a motor early is much cheaper than replacing a whole pump.
• The Filter: Your filter's job is to keep the water clear and safe. Check the pressure gauge on top of the tank. If the pressure is 8-10 PSI higher than its "clean" reading, it is time for a deep cleaning. For cartridge filters, this means taking them out and hosing them down. For DE filters, you might need a full grid inspection.
• The Heater: Even if the Austin sun is getting warm, you might want to heat the pool for a night swim or a relaxing spa session. Fire up the heater now to make sure the sensors, igniters, and blowers are all working. Spiders love to build webs in heater vents over the winter, which can cause them to fail.
• Check for Drips: Look at every pipe and connection. Do you see white crusty buildup or small puddles? Even a tiny drip can lead to a major pipe burst under pressure.

4. Test and Balance Your Water Chemistry

Don't just jump into the water yet! You need to make sure the chemicals are balanced so the water is safe for your skin and eyes. After months of rain and cold, your water chemistry is likely "crashed."

Austin water can be very "hard," meaning it has a lot of calcium. Over time, this can cause white scaling on your tiles.

• Test the pH: It should be between 7.4 and 7.6. If it's too high, your chlorine won't work. If it's too low, the water becomes acidic and can eat away at your pool's plaster.
• Test the Chlorine: You want enough to kill germs, but not so much that it burns your eyes.
• Shock the pool: A "spring shock" helps kill off any bacteria or algae that grew over the winter. This usually requires a double or triple dose of chlorine depending on how the water looks.
• Check the Stabilizer (CYA): This acts like sunscreen for your chlorine. If it's too low, the Texas sun will burn off your chlorine in just a few hours.

5. Inspect the Tile, Coping, and Deck

Take a walk around the edge of your pool. This is a great time to look for structural issues that might have happened over the winter.

In Central Texas, our limestone soil moves a lot. When the ground dries out or gets soaked with spring rain, it shifts. This shifting can cause the pool structure to crack or tiles to pop off.

• Check for loose tiles: If tiles are falling off, water can get behind the beam and cause serious damage.
• Check the coping: This is the stone edge of the pool. If it's loose or the grout is missing, it needs to be resealed to prevent water from getting under the deck.
• Check the mastic: This is the rubbery seal between the pool and the deck. If it's cracked or peeling, water can get under your pool and cause it to "heave" or shift.

6. Safety First: Gates and Lights

Before the kids start running around the backyard, do a quick safety sweep.

• Check the gate: Does it self-close and self-latch every time? Austin city codes are very strict about this for a reason—it saves lives.
• Check the pool lights: Turn them on and make sure they work. If you see water inside the light lens, turn the power off immediately and call a pro.

7. Schedule a Professional Tune-Up

You can do a lot of this work yourself, but a professional eye can spot problems before they become expensive repairs. A quick inspection in March can save you from a "pool emergency" in the middle of a July 4th party!

Our technicians at Centex Pool Repair have years of experience with Austin pools. We know exactly what to look for, from failing shaft seals on pumps to hairline cracks in the plaster that might indicate a deeper issue.