Whether you’re new to pools or just new to pool DIY, there are a few tools that you should always have. So here’s a quick list of the essential tools to pool DIY.
Screwdriver Set – Flathead & Phillips Head
A solid screwdriver set Is a foundational building block for any aspiring pool DIY-ers tool kit. In your general pool maintenance regime, you’ll come across screws on various pool equipment like skimmer lids, valve covers, automatic pool cleaners, pump impellers, and much more.
For beginners, start with an inexpensive screwdriver kit (try Harbor Freight) to get you comfortable. When you get more comfortable and delve into more labor-intensive tasks, you upgrade to the Milwaukees and DeWalts.
Socket Wrenches
A set of socket wrenches is another tool no one should go without. In the pool world, socket wrenches are used to remove the nuts and bolts of pool pump housings and large band clamp assemblies on the pool pump and filter. Most pool text will tell you the 9/16 and 7/16th sockets Will be vital for you in these applications.
Similar to my advice on screwdrivers, there’s no need to get the Cadillac of socket wrench in the beginning. Find yourself in an inexpensive set.
Personal Protective Equipment – Gloves, Masks, and Goggles
Safety first! Well, third in this case, but you get it…
Pool maintenance can be a dirty job, and part of that job can involve handling dangerous chemicals like chlorine (tablets and liquid form) or lugging around a bucket of Muriatic acid. That’s why it’s super important to always protect yourself with personal protective equipment (PPE.)Â
Anyone who’s mistakenly taken a deep breath after opening a chlorine jug will tell you that mask and eye protection are super important. Chlorine fumes will irritate your eyes, nose, and lungs, along with a not-so-fun burning sensation in any body orifice it finds its way into.
Protective gloves are also a must-have when handling any forms of chlorine or muriatic acid. Buckets of a mix of water and muriatic acid are commonly used for cleaning scale buildup on salt chlorine generator cells. Getting splashed during a pour or dipping the cell can cause chemical burns.
For a safer form of muriatic acid, we suggest using Acid Magic.
Pool Water Test Kit – Liquid Reagents
Water chemistry and everything that goes with it is part of pool ownership and has the steepest learning curve. Even for a professional like me, the intricacies of pool and spa water chemistry can leave your head swimming. That’s why it’s important to find a reliable pool water test kit; because balancing your pool water chemistry is hard enough when you have accurate information.
Look, I don’t want to come off like some pool chemistry snob, but for the most reliable and accurate test results, reagent test kits beat test strip kits, hands down. Test strip kits are ok in a pinch, but their tendency to become inaccurate over time and hard to read makes them a last resort for pool DIY-ers.
Teflon Lube
Here’s a little pool tech inside scoop: Teflon Lube is the secret to keeping your pool plumbing air and watertight. Your pool equipment and plumbing are kept leak-free.
Channel Locks
If you’re having trouble getting a grip on things, a set of channel locks will do the trick. Channel locks are essentially a big pair of pliers used for gripping and applying torque to ‘stuck-on’ things like pool pump strainer lids, pump impellers, and union collars, among other things.
But be careful when using metal channel locks on PVC and other pool equipment because a bit too much pressure can sheer off something like an impeller stem.
Pool Pole & Attachments (Brushes, Skim Nets)
No pool tool kit is complete without a telescoping pool pole with assorted head attachments. Your pool pole and its accouterment are the backbone of your everyday life, like pool maintenance. Whether it’s skimming some lingering leaves, brushing your pool wall, or retrieving a set of swim goggles from the deep end, you’ll always need a sturdy pool pole.
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