Seasonal Pool Maintenance: Preparing Your Pool for Summer

Summer is the time to plunge into the coolness of water. But as you get ready and are about to jump in, you suddenly notice the unsightly sight of cloudy and dirty water. Well, at that point, it is out of the question to swim in that, so you've got to maintain the pool. 

Summer pool maintenance gives an excellent opportunity for sustaining the pool's longevity, quality, and functionality. Let's discuss the factors why pool maintenance is important, some of the problems relating to maintenance you will have to face, and how to solve them.

Why Summer Pool Maintenance Matters 

Summer pool maintenance is extremely important. Pool usage increases drastically during hotter months, meaning frequent maintenance. Also, there is the possibility of pollen or debris settling in the pool water. Hence, it is vital to maintain your pool weekly. Pool upkeep will not only give you clear water but also less repair costs and, in the end, a safer swimming environment.

What to Do With Your Pool in the Summer? 

Summer pool care is important, so here’s what you need to do this summer:

Inspect and Clean the Pool

To start with, examine your pool and check for any cracks or leaks. Cracks that were caused by winter can be visible at times. Remove any debris and dirt that you can find with skimming. Scrub the pool walls and floor to remove any algae buildup. If you are using a pool regularly, the best option for you regarding long-term maintenance would be a robotic pool cleaner.

Check and Balance Pool Chemicals

Now you need to test the pool water. Test for pH (optimal: 7.2-7.6), alkalinity (80-120 ppm), and chlorine (1-3 ppm) levels. If chlorine is too high, shock your pool. If there is an algae infestation, add algaecide. Balanced water is important for avoiding skin irritations and cloudy water.

Clean and Maintain Pool Equipment

You shouldn’t skip on cleaning pool equipment. Inspect the pump, filter, and heater for wear and tear or clogs. Clean or replace the sand, cartridge, and DE filters. Run the pump for at least 8 -12 hours daily in summer to ensure circulation.

Enhance Safety and Comfort

Ensure safety for summer swimming in your pool. Place fences, alarms, or ladders to keep your guests safe. Pool floats or lighting are extra fun accessories to add to the swim experience.

Common Summer Pool Maintenance Challenges 

While summer is the best time for swimming, pools in summer often encounter various issues. But there are solutions for every problem. 

Algae Growth

Summer pools often witness algae growth. Warm weather results in green or black algae formation, which makes the pool unsightly. To treat a recurring algae problem, shock the pool with a pool shock treatment. Run the filter for 24 hours. Add algaecide and brush the pool walls thoroughly. You can prevent algae problems by testing pool water weekly and keeping chlorine at 1–3 ppm.

Cloudy Water

Cloudy water looks murky and hazy due to debris or bad chemicals. Shock the pool and run the filter for 24 hours. Add a pool clarifier to clear small particles. To prevent cloudiness, skim the pool daily and vacuum it weekly.

Pump and Filter Issues

Pool filters and pumps clog up because of debris, thus slowing the water flow. Clean the skimmer baskets and pump strainers often. Backwash or replace dirty filters. To prevent this problem, inspect pool equipment weekly.

High Chemical Use

Regular pool use and high heat burn pool chemicals like chlorine fast. Hence, you must add a stabilizer to protect chlorine from evaporating due to heat. Shock the pool after heavy swim sessions. Test the pool water at least twice a week to keep all pool levels in check.

Stains and Scaling

If you notice stains on the pool surface, they are due to minerals or metals. Use a stain remover for metal marks. Brush stains and balance the water pH. Cover the pool to keep debris out.

While these problems can be manually solved, using a robotic pool cleaner regularly can prevent these problems from occurring again and again.

Weekly Summer Pool Maintenance Checklist 

If you want your pool to look sparkly clean, follow this checklist:

1. Skim the pool surface daily.
2. Test the water chemistry twice a week.
3. Clean skimmer baskets and pump strainers weekly.
4. Vacuum the pool floor weekly.

Conclusion 

Pool maintenance is as much fun as swimming. Inspect the pool facilities often for stains, debris, or algae growth. Test the pool water, replace pool filters, vacuum the pool every week, and shock your pool once in a while to keep it sparkling. This way, when you open a pool in summer, your pool will be in top-notch condition. 

Make a checklist of routine maintenance tasks to stay ahead of seasonal pool maintenance. All of these tasks can be made easier with a robotic pool cleaner. 

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