Let’s talk about something nobody wants to do... but everybody needs: pool wall brushing.

Yeah, I said it.

The thing you put off. The thing that makes your arms burn after five minutes. The thing you swear you’ll “get to next weekend” while algae quietly throws a house party in your deep end.

See, when people think pool cleaning, they think skimming leaves or dumping in chlorine. But let me tell you—from one stubborn Texan to another—pool wall brushing is the silent MVP of pool maintenance. And if you’re in McKinney, Texas? It's not optional. It’s survival.

I Didn’t Believe It Either… Until My Pool Turned Green

I’ll be the first to admit... I didn’t always brush.

I thought my robot vacuum was doing the work. I figured chemicals would keep the walls clean. But then, one day, I looked out and saw this weird little green fuzz creeping up the sides of my pool like mold on bread.

Spoiler: That green stuff? It was algae. And guess what feeds it? Warm water + sunshine + neglect = an algae buffet.

The solution wasn’t more shock. It was elbow grease. Regular, consistent pool wall brushing that scraped off all the gunk clinging to my plaster like it paid rent.

The Truth About Algae in McKinney

Here’s what the brochures don’t tell you—Texas heat + unbrushed pool walls = disaster.

We’ve got blazing summers, crazy pollen, and hard water. You know what that means? Algae LOVES our pools. It’s not just the green stuff either. There’s pink slime, mustard algae, black algae (don’t get me started on black algae)... and it all starts on the walls.

You can dump all the chlorine you want, but if you’re not brushing? You're just treating the water—not the root of the problem. That’s why I added Pool Wall Brushing to my weekly list, right under “take out trash” and “pretend to mow straight lines.”

Don’t Trust the Robots Alone

Look, I love tech. I’ve got the fancy robot that climbs walls and filters water while I sip iced tea. It’s great.

But here’s the deal... robots don’t scrub like a human does. They miss corners. They skip over steps. And worst of all—they can’t see biofilm.

That’s why real Pool Wall Brushing still matters. It breaks up the slime that protects algae. It lets your chlorine do its job. And it’s the difference between poolside pride... and poolside panic.

Your Pool Walls Are Dirtier Than You Think

It’s easy to forget. They don’t always look dirty. But every time someone jumps in—oils, sunscreen, sweat, dirt, lotion—it all ends up stuck to the walls.

Even when your water looks clear, the walls might be holding onto things that throw your chemistry off balance. I didn’t know this until I had a tech from a local service (bless this guy) show me the gunk that came off after a 10-minute Pool Wall Brushing. It was disgusting… but also kind of satisfying. Like power-washing your driveway.

Now I don’t skip it. Not ever.

DIY? Sure. But Know What You’re Doing

I’ve brushed with the wrong brush. Used too much pressure. Missed entire zones. I’ve even brushed with the pump running the wrong way and stirred up more debris than I removed.

So yeah—you can do it yourself. But do yourself a favor and learn how to do it right.

Or better yet... hire someone local who does Pool Wall Brushing for a living. Someone who knows McKinney water. Someone who knows the difference between a soft-bristle brush for vinyl and a stainless one for plaster.

That’s the move I made. Now I watch ‘em work while I sip coffee on the patio. And the pool? Clear. Clean. Happy.

Innovation Is Great… But Elbow Grease Still Wins

We’ve got AI pool pumps now. Chemical monitoring apps. Drones that can scan your pool from above.

But even in 2025... nothing replaces good old-fashioned Pool Wall Brushing.

Because tech can assist... but it can’t replace judgment. A smart brush isn’t going to know that shaded corners grow algae faster. Or that your kid’s sunscreen is forming a film line on the tile.

That takes experience. That takes hands. That takes a local pro who shows up, brush in hand, and knows your pool like it’s theirs.

What It’s Really About

It’s not just brushing.

It’s protecting your investment.
It’s avoiding emergency service calls.
It’s creating the kind of water people notice when they walk into your backyard.

I’ve spent thousands fixing things I could’ve avoided with a little more attention to detail—and Pool Wall Brushing is detail work. It’s the un-glamorous thing that makes everything else easier. Kind of like flossing. Nobody wants to do it… until they realize what happens when they don’t.

Final Thoughts (From Someone Who Learned the Hard Way)

Look, I’m not perfect. I’ve skipped brush days. I’ve paid the price.

But if you take one thing from this, let it be this: Don’t sleep on Pool Wall Brushing.

It’s not just a chore—it’s a strategy.
It’s not just maintenance—it’s prevention.
It’s not just cleaning—it’s protecting your peace of mind.

If you’re not doing it, start. If you’re not doing it right, learn. And if you’re not doing it at all because you hate it? Call someone in McKinney who’ll do it right the first time, every time.

Let them scrub while you relax.
Let them handle the slime while you sip something cold.
Let your pool look like it was featured in a magazine instead of a mystery documentary.

And hey... when your friends ask why your water’s so clear?
Just smile and say, "I’ve got someone who knows Pool Wall Brushing like an art form."

Sources:

1. https://www.swimmingpool.com/maintenance/pool-brushing-guide/
2. https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/outdoor-spaces/how-to-clean-and-maintain-a-pool
3. https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/g3215/pool-maintenance-tips/
4. https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/pool-maintenance-tips/
5. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pools/21321830/how-to-maintain-a-pool
6. https://www.architecturelab.net/how-to-clean-a-swimming-pool/