Maintaining your pool during the hot summer months is essential to keep swimming season in full swing!
When temperatures soar, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as taking a dip in your backyard pool. However, maintaining your pool during the hot summer months can be a challenge if you’re not prepared. The heat, combined with increased usage, can affect water quality, equipment performance, and overall pool safety. Fortunately, with the right approach, you can keep your pool clean, balanced, and swim-ready all season long. We have some tips for maintaining your pool during the hot summer months.
Test Your Pool Water Frequently
Hot weather accelerates chemical changes in pool water. Sunlight can cause chlorine to dissipate quickly, and heavy usage can introduce contaminants. Make it a habit to test your pool water at least 2-3 times a week during peak summer months.
Check and maintain the following chemical levels:
- Chlorine: 1.0–3.0 ppm
- pH level: 7.2–7.6
- Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
- Calcium hardness: 200–400 ppm
Keeping these levels balanced is essential for preventing algae growth, swimmer irritation, and equipment corrosion.
Run Your Pool Pump Longer
Maintaining your pool during the hot summer months means adjusting your filtration system to handle increased demand. Longer daylight hours and higher temperatures mean more opportunity for contaminants to enter your pool.
To ensure proper circulation and filtration:
- Run your pool pump at least 8–12 hours per day
- Consider a variable-speed pump for energy efficiency
- Backwash or clean your filter regularly to ensure optimal performance
Good water circulation helps evenly distribute chemicals and prevent stagnant areas where algae can grow.
Shock Your Pool Weekly
Increased swimmer load, sunscreen, sweat, and heat can strain your pool’s chlorine levels. Shocking your pool—adding a large dose of chlorine to eliminate contaminants—is a crucial step during summer.
Pro Tip: Shock your pool in the evening or at night to prevent the sun from degrading the added chlorine too quickly. Follow up with water testing the next day to rebalance chemicals.
Brush and Vacuum Regularly
Even with a good filter, debris and algae can accumulate on pool surfaces. Regular brushing and vacuuming are essential for maintaining your pool during the hot summer months.
- Brush pool walls and tile lines weekly to prevent buildup
- Vacuum the pool floor to remove debris and contaminants
- Use a pool skimmer daily to remove floating leaves and insects
Keeping your pool clean not only looks better—it also helps prevent the growth of algae and bacteria.
Keep an Eye on Water Levels
Water evaporates faster during the summer heat, especially in windy or dry climates. High usage can also lead to lower water levels, which can affect your pool’s skimmer and pump.
Check your pool’s water level weekly and keep it at the halfway point of the skimmer opening. Use a garden hose to top it off as needed.
Protect Your Pool with a Cover
When not in use, covering your pool can help retain water, reduce evaporation, and keep out debris. A solar cover can also help maintain water temperature and reduce chemical loss due to UV exposure.
Schedule a Professional Pool Inspection
Even if you’re diligent, having a professional inspect your pool once during the summer is a smart move. They can:
- Ensure your equipment is running efficiently
- Identify potential issues before they become costly
- Professionally clean and balance your pool water
Professional guidance can give you peace of mind and help extend the life of your pool system.
Do You Have More Questions About Swimming Pools? Ask Sunrise Premiere Pool Builders LLC
If you still have questions about how to build a brand new swimming pool, Sunrise Premiere Pool Builders LLC is here to help you. At Sunrise Pools, we can build and install your pool, spa, or hot tub and provide you with pool chemicals, services, and more. If you have questions, feel free to give us a call at 410-349-3852. To see more from us and for tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.