You can certainly maintain your pool yourself with the right knowledge and tools. However, for more complex issues or if you prefer hands-off maintenance, hiring a professional pool service may be beneficial.

The primary chemicals you'll need are chlorine for sanitization, pH adjusters (like pH increaser or pH decreaser), alkalinity increaser, and calcium hardness increaser. Test kits will help you determine the correct amounts.

Use a pool brush to scrub the walls and tiles, paying special attention to areas with algae or buildup. For tougher stains, you may need to use a specialized pool cleaner or stain remover.