Best Ways To Keep Your Pool Clean in 2026
New Year Pool Maintenance Checklist
Pool season in Texas rarely stops.
When most of the country is winterizing, many Texas pool owners are still swimming — or at least keeping their systems running year-round. With temperatures in the 80s even in early January, the start of 2026 is the perfect time to reset your pool maintenance routine and make sure your water stays clean, clear, and efficient.
Whether you’re in Austin, the Hill Country, or anywhere else in Central Texas, this New Year pool maintenance checklist will help you start 2026 the right way.
✅ 1. Inspect Your Pool Filter (Don’t Just Rinse It)
Your pool filter is the backbone of clean water. Over time, filter cartridges become clogged, lose efficiency, and stop trapping fine debris even if they look okay on the surface.
Start 2026 by checking:
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Visible wear or fraying on pleats
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Flattened or stiff filter material
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Reduced water flow or pressure issues
- Cracked end caps
- Broken bands
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Cloudy water despite regular cleaning
Texas tip: Year-round pool use and longer swim seasons mean filters in Texas often wear out faster than in colder climates.
If your cartridge is more than 12 months old, pressure does not drop after cleaning, or is showing visible signs of wear, it may be time to replace it.
✅ 2. Replace Worn Pool Filter Cartridges
A fresh filter cartridge improves:
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Water clarity
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Circulation efficiency
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Pump performance
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Overall system lifespan
Starting the year with a new filter helps your pool run cleaner with less chemical demand saving time and money over the course of 2026.
When replacing, make sure you:
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Match the exact make and model of your filter housing
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Verify dimensions (length, diameter, end caps)
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Use trusted replacement cartridges designed for proper fit
You can use our Filter Finder to search for your exact replacement cartridge.
✅ 3. Check Pump & Circulation Performance
Even the best filter can’t do its job without proper water flow.
As part of your New Year reset:
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Listen for unusual pump noises
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Check for air bubbles in the system
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Ensure return jets have steady flow
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Confirm pressure readings are within normal range
Poor circulation often gets mistaken for a “water chemistry problem” when the real issue is filtration.
✅ 4. Balance Your Water Chemistry
Clear water starts with balanced water.
At the beginning of 2026, test and adjust:
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pH
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Chlorine or sanitizer levels
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Alkalinity
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Calcium hardness
Starting the year with balanced chemistry reduces:
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Scale buildup
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Filter clogging
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Wear on equipment
✅ 5. Inspect Pool Seals, O-Rings & Housings
Cooler nights and warmer days - common in Texas winters, can cause seals to expand and contract.
Quick checks:
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Lubricate O-rings
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Look for small leaks
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Ensure filter housings are properly sealed
Catching small issues now helps avoid mid-season downtime later.
✅ 6. Plan Ahead for Peak Pool Season
Spring will arrive fast in Texas.
Use early 2026 to:
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Stock up on replacement filters
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Schedule equipment inspections
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Address any lingering performance issues
Planning ahead means fewer surprises when temperatures climb and demand for pool supplies spikes.
Start 2026 with Better Filtration
Clean water doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with proper filtration, good circulation, and proactive maintenance especially in climates where pool season never really ends.
At Excel Filters, we manufacture high-quality replacement pool and spa filter cartridges designed for exact fit, reliable performance, and long-lasting filtration so you can spend less time troubleshooting and more time enjoying your pool all year long.