Weekends should be for enjoying your pool, not scrubbing tiles and testing chemicals. Yet many Long Beach homeowners spend hours each week on pool maintenance, only to end up with cloudy water or green algae anyway.
If you’ve wondered whether a pool cleaning service is worth it, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear from pool owners across the greater Long Beach area.
At Adam’s Pool and Spa, we’ve built our reputation on educating customers, not just cleaning pools. Our “Pool School” approach means you’ll understand your system and know exactly what you’re paying for.
Whether you’re tired of the maintenance grind or just moved into a home with an in-ground pool, this information will help you make the right choice for your situation.
What Do Pool Cleaning Services Include?
A swimming pool service handles the regular tasks needed to keep your pool healthy and your water chemistry balanced. Standard weekly pool cleaning typically includes:
- Skim debris from the surface and emptying skimmer baskets
- Brushing walls, steps, and the tile line
- Vacuum the pool floor
- Water testing and adjusting chlorine, pH, and alkalinity levels
- Pool equipment inspection of the pump, filter, and other components
- Cleaning or backwashing filters as needed
Service packages vary by provider. Some pool companies include chemicals in their pricing while others charge extra. Ask before signing up.
Want to see exactly what’s included in our weekly service? Our residential pool maintenance page breaks down each visit step by step.
What Professional Pool Service Actually Covers
Knowing what each task does helps you tell good service from lazy service. Let me walk you through what we do and why it matters.
Surface Cleaning
Surface cleaning is the first thing we do. We use a net to scoop out leaves, bugs, and anything floating on top. This sounds simple, but timing matters. If debris sits too long, it sinks to the bottom and starts to decay. That decay feeds algae and throws off your chemicals. We’ve seen pools turn cloudy just from leaves left sitting over a long weekend.
Brushing Walls and Tiles
Brushing is the task most DIY pool owners skip. Big mistake. Algae spores float in the air all the time. They land on your pool walls and start looking for a place to attach. Brushing knocks them loose before they can dig in. Once algae takes hold, especially black algae, it’s much harder to remove. We brush walls, steps, and the tile line every visit. It takes a few extra minutes but saves major headaches later.
Vacuuming the Pool Floor
Vacuuming picks up what the skimmer misses. Fine dirt, dead algae, and tiny particles settle on the floor. Your filter catches some of this, but not all. Manual vacuuming gets the stuff that hides in corners and along edges. We pay extra attention to spots with poor circulation since that’s where debris likes to collect.
Chemical Balance and Water Testing
Chemical balance is where we spend the most mental energy. This is also where most homeowners struggle. Your pool needs the right mix of chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. These chemicals work together like a team. When one gets out of range, the others stop working properly.
Here’s what we see all the time: a customer adds chlorine because their pool looks cloudy. But the real problem is low pH, which makes the chlorine less effective. They keep adding more chlorine. Nothing changes. Then they call us frustrated, having wasted money on chemicals that couldn’t do their job.
After years of testing pools in Long Beach, we’ve learned that most “mystery” pool problems come down to chemical balance. Green water, cloudy water, skin irritation, that harsh chlorine smell. Usually one or two numbers are off, and fixing those solves everything.
Equipment Checks
Equipment checks happen during every visit. We listen to your pump. Does it sound normal or strained? We look at your filter pressure gauge. Is it in the right range? We check for drips around plumbing connections. We make sure timers are set correctly.
These quick checks take a minute or two. But catching a small leak or a failing pump bearing early can save you hundreds of dollars. We’ve found cracked pipes, loose fittings, and dying motors just by paying attention during routine visits. The customer never knew anything was wrong until we pointed it out.
How Much Does Expert Pool Cleaning Cost?
I’m not going to give you a specific price here. That wouldn’t be fair to you because every pool is different. But I can explain what affects cost so you can compare quotes and know what questions to ask.
Pool Size
Pool size is the most obvious factor. A small backyard pool takes less time and fewer chemicals than a large one. If your pool holds twice as much water, it needs roughly twice as much chlorine and other products. Service visits take longer too. Expect pricing to reflect this.
Current Condition
Current condition matters a lot when you first sign up. If your pool is already clean and balanced, we can start regular maintenance right away. If it’s green, cloudy, or neglected, we need to do extra work first. This might mean multiple visits, extra chemicals, or even draining and refilling in bad cases. Some companies charge a one-time “pool recovery” fee. Others build it into your first few months. Ask how they handle this.
Service Frequency
Service frequency affects your monthly cost. Weekly service costs more than biweekly. But here’s our honest advice: most pools need weekly attention. In Long Beach, pools run almost year-round. That’s a lot of sun breaking down chlorine, a lot of wind blowing in debris, and a lot of days for things to go wrong between visits.
We’ve had customers start with biweekly service to save money. Many switch to weekly after their first algae bloom. Cleaning up a green pool costs more than the visits they skipped. Weekly service prevents these problems in the first place.
Chemicals Included or Extra
Chemicals included or extra is a question you must ask. Some companies bundle everything into one monthly price. Others charge a base rate for labor, then bill chemicals separately. Neither approach is wrong, but you need to know which one you’re getting.
A low monthly rate might look attractive until you get a separate chemical bill for $75. Meanwhile, another company charges more per month but includes everything. When you add it up, the “expensive” company might actually cost less.
Ask each company: “What’s my total monthly cost, including all chemicals?” That gives you a real number to compare.
Access and Complexity
Access and complexity can add to your cost too. If your pool is hard to reach, has lots of trees dropping leaves, or has extra features like a spa, waterfall, or saltwater system, expect to pay a bit more. These pools simply take more time and attention.
My advice: don’t shop on price alone. The cheapest service often cuts corners. Rushed visits, skipped tasks, poor communication. You end up paying more in the long run when problems develop. Look for fair pricing from a company that shows up reliably and takes time to do the job right.
Access and complexity also factor in. Pools with difficult access, lots of landscaping debris, or complex systems may cost more. Hot tub and spa combinations often have different pricing than standalone pools.
Can You Clean Your Pool Yourself? DIY vs Professional Pool Cleaning
You absolutely can clean and maintain your own pool. The question is whether it makes sense for your situation.
DIY pool care requires:
- Testing kit and chemicals (a few hundred dollars to start, plus ongoing purchases)
- Skimmer net, brush, and vacuum equipment
- Several hours weekly for proper care
- Knowledge of how to balance water and fix imbalances
- Willingness to troubleshoot when things go wrong
Many pool professionals refer to the “3 C’s” of pool maintenance: Circulation, Chemistry, and Cleaning. All three must work together. Your pump and filter handle circulation. You handle the rest.
Proper chemical balance is where most DIY efforts break down. Water testing is easy. Knowing what to do with the results takes experience. Add too much chlorine, and you throw off the pH. Chase the wrong problem, and you waste money on products that don’t fix the issue.
We’ve had many customers come to us after months of fighting green pools or cloudy conditions on their own. The frustration and wasted chemical costs often exceed what a professional pool service would have cost.
DIY makes sense if you enjoy the work, have time to learn proper techniques, and don’t mind spending weekend mornings on maintenance. Hiring a pool cleaner makes sense if your time is valuable, you want consistent results, or you’re tired of the guesswork.
Warning Signs Your Pool Needs Professional Attention
Even if you have regular service, knowing these warning signs helps you spot problems early. The sooner you catch something, the easier and cheaper it is to fix.
Cloudy Water
Cloudy water that won’t clear up is telling you something is wrong. Most people dump in more chlorine and hope for the best. That rarely works.
Cloudiness usually means one of three things: your filter isn’t doing its job, your chemicals are out of balance, or algae is starting to grow. Sometimes it’s all three at once.
We get calls every week from pool owners who say, “I’ve added chemicals for days and it’s still cloudy.” When we test their water, we almost always find the real problem. Maybe the pH is way off. Maybe the filter pressure is too high and needs backwashing. Maybe calcium levels have built up.
Crystal clear water should be normal for your pool. If you can’t see the drain at the bottom, something needs attention.
Algae Growth
Green, yellow, or black discoloration means algae has moved in. Each type needs a different approach.
Green algae is the most common. It turns your water green and makes surfaces slippery. This one responds well to shock treatment and brushing if you catch it early. Wait too long and you’re looking at draining the pool.
Yellow algae, sometimes called mustard algae, is sneaky. It looks like sand or pollen on your walls and steps. It brushes off easily but comes right back. Standard chlorine levels won’t kill it. You need a specific treatment plan.
Black algae is the worst. It’s not really algae at all. It’s a type of bacteria that grows protective layers and sends roots into your pool surface. We’ve seen black algae that took weeks of treatment to eliminate. Once it digs into plaster or grout, it’s extremely hard to remove completely.
Our advice: don’t wait to see if algae goes away on its own. It won’t. Call a professional at the first sign of discoloration. A small algae problem on Monday becomes a big algae problem by Friday.
Strong Chlorine Smell
Here’s something that surprises most pool owners. A strong chlorine smell doesn’t mean your pool has too much chlorine. It usually means the opposite.
That harsh smell comes from chloramines. These form when chlorine mixes with sweat, body oils, urine, and other contaminants. Chloramines are what irritate your eyes and skin. They also mean your chlorine is used up and not protecting your pool anymore.
A properly treated pool has almost no smell at all. If your pool smells like a public swimming facility, something is off. According to the CDC, chloramines can cause respiratory problems and irritate eyes, skin, and airways.
The fix is usually “shocking” the pool with a high dose of chlorine to break apart the chloramines. Then getting the water properly balanced so they don’t form again.
Skin or Eye Irritation
If your eyes burn or your skin itches after swimming, don’t blame the chlorine. Blame the chemistry.
Most irritation comes from pH that’s too high or too low. Your eyes and skin have a natural pH around 7.4. When pool water drifts far from that number, it bothers you. Chloramine buildup makes it worse.
We’ve tested pools where the owner swore they had too much chlorine because everyone’s eyes were red. The chlorine was actually low. The pH was the problem. Once we balanced the water, the irritation stopped.
If swimming in your pool is uncomfortable, that’s a sign something needs fixing. Healthy pool water shouldn’t hurt.
Equipment Making Strange Sounds
Your pool equipment talks to you. Learn to listen.
A healthy pump has a steady hum. If you hear grinding, squealing, or rattling, something is wrong. These sounds often mean bearings are failing, something is stuck in the impeller, or the motor is struggling.
Running equipment that sounds bad just makes the problem worse. What starts as a $50 repair can become a $500 replacement if you ignore it.
As certified installers for both Jandy and Pentair equipment, we know what these systems should sound like. We catch failing parts during routine visits all the time. Last month we noticed a customer’s pump making a faint whine that wasn’t there before. Turned out a bearing was going bad. We replaced it for a fraction of what a new pump would cost.
Also watch for equipment that runs constantly or won’t turn on at all. Check your timer settings. Make sure circuit breakers haven’t tripped. If everything looks right but the equipment acts wrong, call for service.
Debris That Won’t Stay Gone
If you clean your pool and it’s full of debris again the next day, you have a circulation problem.
Your pump and filter should move water through the entire pool. Dead spots where water doesn’t flow well collect dirt, leaves, and algae. No amount of skimming fixes a circulation issue.
Common causes include a weak pump, clogged filter, blocked return jets, or run time that’s too short. We recommend running your pump at least 8 hours a day in summer. Less than that and debris builds up faster than the filter can catch it.
We’ve also seen return jets pointed the wrong way. They should create a circular flow that pushes debris toward the skimmer. If they’re aimed straight down or in random directions, water doesn’t move properly.
Coastal Corrosion in Long Beach
Living near the ocean has its perks, but salt air is hard on pool equipment. In coastal Long Beach neighborhoods like Belmont Shore, Naples, and Seal Beach, we see corrosion happen faster than in inland areas.
Metal components rust and corrode. Pump housings pit. Heater parts degrade. Even stainless steel doesn’t hold up forever when salt is in the air.
Regular inspection catches these issues before they cause failures. We look for early signs of corrosion during every visit. Replacing a small corroded fitting is easy. Replacing a destroyed heater is expensive.
If you live within a few miles of the water, keep an eye on any metal parts of your pool system. A little preventive attention goes a long way.
How Often Should a Pool Be Cleaned?
Weekly pool service is the standard for most residential pools. Here’s why this frequency keeps your pool in top condition.
Chemical levels shift constantly. According to the CDC, sunlight can break down chlorine in outdoor pools, which is why regular testing and adjustment matters. Rain can dilute your water and may change pH levels. Swimmers add contaminants. Debris adds organic matter that consumes sanitizer. Weekly water testing and adjustment keeps everything in balance and ensures crystal-clear water.
Debris accumulates daily. Using a net to skim once a week prevents buildup that leads to staining and filter strain. Regular attention helps prevent algae before it starts.
Systems need regular monitoring. Catching a small leak or unusual sound early prevents expensive emergency repairs.
Factors that increase cleaning needs:
- Heavy use (families with kids, frequent entertaining)
- Trees and landscaping near the water
- Pets that swim
- Older systems that need closer monitoring
Commercial pools at apartments, hotels, and HOAs typically need more frequent attention due to higher bather loads. Many require service multiple times weekly to maintain safe swimming conditions.
One common misconception: pools that sit unused need less care. Actually, water without proper circulation tends to promote algae growth more quickly than an actively filtered pool. If you travel frequently or don’t swim often, your pool is always going to need regular attention to stay swim-ready.
In Southern California, there’s no true “off season.” Pools here run nearly year-round, and even winter months require maintenance to keep your pool healthy.
How to Choose the Right Pool Cleaning Service
Finding a reliable swimming pool service takes some research. Here’s what to look for and what to avoid when selecting the best pool company for your needs.
Look for clear communication about what’s included. A top-rated company explains their process, what chemicals they use, and how they handle problems. The best pool cleaning and pool service providers take care of everything without you having to ask.
Ask about response time for issues between visits. Can you reach someone if your water turns green on a Wednesday? Do they return calls the same day? This peace of mind matters.
Find out if they educate you or keep you in the dark. Expert pool cleaning professionals teach you about your system so you can understand what’s happening and why. We spend time with new customers explaining how everything works because informed customers make better decisions.
Verify they’re licensed and insured. The California Contractors State License Board requires a C-53 Swimming Pool Contractor license for pool construction, repair, and service work exceeding $500. Insurance protects you if something goes wrong. A certified pool professional demonstrates commitment to standards.
Ask about their process when repairs are needed. Some pool companies handle everything in-house. Others refer you elsewhere, creating coordination headaches.
Red flags to watch for:
- Won’t give you a clear answer about what’s included in every service
- No-show patterns or inconsistent scheduling
- Won’t explain what they did during visits
- Pressure to buy systems you didn’t ask about
- Can’t be reached between scheduled visits
For commercial properties like apartments and hotels, ask specifically about their experience with high-traffic pools that run 24/7. Commercial systems have different demands than residential ones.
A professional pool service provider who shows up consistently helps make pool ownership enjoyable. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your pool remains in perfect condition and the water stays crystal-clear.
Finding the Right Fit
A good pool service saves you time, delivers healthy water, and prevents expensive problems. More than that, the right provider becomes a long-term partner who educates you about your system and handles everything from weekly maintenance to repairs when needed.
That’s the kind of relationship we build with every Long Beach customer. From your first “Pool School” session through years of reliable service, we want you to understand your pool and trust that it’s in good hands.
Questions about pool service in Long Beach or surrounding areas? Our team is happy to help. Call (562) 522-2203.
FAQs
Q: What does a typical weekly pool cleaning service include?
A: Weekly pool service covers all the basics your pool needs to stay clean and safe. We skim leaves and bugs off the top. We vacuum dirt from the bottom. We brush the walls and tile line so algae can’t take hold. We empty baskets and test your water.
Testing is where most pool owners get stuck on their own. We check chlorine, pH, and alkalinity levels. Then we adjust them so everything works together. When the filter needs it, we backwash it too.
We also do a quick check of your pump, heater, and other equipment. In our experience, catching a small problem during a routine visit saves customers hundreds in emergency repairs later. It takes us about 30 minutes to do what might take a homeowner half a day to figure out.
Q: How can professional pool maintenance give me peace of mind?
A: Here’s what we hear from customers most often: they stopped worrying about their pool.
Before hiring a service, many people spent weekends testing water, adding chemicals, and still ending up with cloudy water. They didn’t know what they were doing wrong. That stress went away once someone who does this every day took over.
With weekly service, you don’t have to remember anything. You don’t have to buy chemicals or guess at doses. You just enjoy your pool when you want to swim. Our technicians spot problems early because we see pools every day. We know what “off” looks like before it turns into green water or a broken pump.
One customer told us she used to dread pool season. Now she looks forward to it. That’s the kind of change we like to hear.
Q: What should I look for when choosing a pool maintenance company?
A: Start by checking if they’re licensed and insured. In California, pool contractors need a C-53 license for work over $500. This protects you if something goes wrong.
Read their reviews. Look for comments about showing up on time and communicating well. A company can be skilled but still frustrating if they never answer the phone.
Ask what’s included in their service. Some companies include chemicals. Others charge extra. Get this clear before you sign up. Ask if they handle repairs too. It’s easier to have one company that does everything than to juggle multiple vendors.
Our advice: pay attention to how they answer your questions. Do they explain things clearly? Or do they rush you off the phone? A good pool company should make you feel informed, not confused. If they won’t take time to talk before you hire them, they probably won’t after either.
Q: How often should I schedule professional pool care services?
A: Weekly service works best for most pools. Here’s why.
Your pool chemistry changes every day. Sun breaks down chlorine. Rain shifts pH. Swimmers add body oils and sunscreen. Leaves fall in. One week is about as long as you can go before these changes start causing problems.
We’ve seen customers try biweekly service to save money. Many end up switching to weekly after a few green pool calls. Fixing a neglected pool costs more than the money they saved skipping visits.
During summer when kids swim daily, weekly service is even more important. Heavy use means more contaminants in the water.
If your pool sits unused most of the time, you might think it needs less care. Actually, the opposite is true. Stagnant water grows algae faster than water that’s being circulated and used. Even a quiet pool needs weekly attention to stay clear and ready when you want it.
