Swimming and lounging in the pool are quintessential summertime activities. However, warm summer temperatures bring unique challenges for pool owners.
While it's common knowledge to use sunscreen, stay hydrated, and keep cool during a heat wave, your pool also requires extra attention to stay healthy in warmer weather. As the water heats up, the pool is used more often, algae activity increases, chlorine demand rises, water chemistry changes rapidly, and evaporation happens faster. Keeping your pool water clean and clear in hot weather can be tricky, but with the right tips, you can ensure your pool is always ready for a refreshing swim.
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Test Your Pool Water When the weather gets warmer, the chemistry of your pool water can change quickly, increasing the risk of scale buildup. To maintain safe, well-balanced pool water, you should test it often. Typically, testing once per week is sufficient. However, when temperatures rise above 90ºF, more frequent testing is recommended to monitor the health of your pool closely.
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Sanitize the Pool Chlorine is the most popular sanitizer for keeping your pool water clean and free of germs and algae. In hot weather, chlorine can dissipate faster. This is due to warmer water promoting the growth of germs and algae, which consume chlorine more rapidly. Additionally, chemical reactions like chlorine oxidation occur faster at higher temperatures, depleting chlorine levels. To maintain a safe and sanitary pool, keep the Free Chlorine levels between 1–4 parts per million (ppm). Regularly check your chlorine levels, and shock the pool as needed to superchlorinate or oxidize the water.
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Prevent Algae Algae thrive in warm water and can quickly turn your pool green if not managed properly. In addition to maintaining adequate chlorine levels, using algaecides can help prevent algae growth. Adjust your pool care routine to account for warmer weather by testing your water more frequently, brushing the pool weekly, and increasing water circulation.
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Increase Pump Run Time To combat algae growth and ensure proper water circulation, run your pool pump longer during hot weather. For single-speed pumps, it's suggested to run the pump at least 1 hour for every 10ºF of air temperature. Variable-speed pumps may run longer at slower speeds, with some pool owners running them 24/7 on low speed during peak summer.
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Prevent Evaporation In hot weather, pools can lose significant amounts of water due to evaporation. Using a solar pool cover can reduce evaporation by up to 95%, saving money on water bills and reducing the amount of chemicals needed to maintain balanced water.
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Use Specialty Chemicals Incorporating specialty chemicals into your pool care routine can help maintain water quality during hot weather. These products can prevent the buildup of phosphates, which feed algae, and include enzymes that break down organic contaminants like body oils and lotions. Some products also offer a liquid solar cover to reduce evaporation.
Keep Cool in Your Pool! Taking care of your pool during a heat wave requires extra attention to water chemistry and pump run times. Regular testing, maintaining chlorine levels, and enhancing algae prevention measures will keep your pool clean, safe, and ready to enjoy. For more tips and advice on maintaining your pool through the summer, consult pool care resources or speak with pool care professionals.