Summer is in full swing and that means only one thing – enjoying the relaxing coolness of your swimming pool! A haven from the Texas heat, an irresistible playground for kids and the perfect backyard accessory for a BBQ, it’s no surprise that swimming pools are beloved by homeowners across the state. Keeping your swimming pool sparkling through the summer months takes some care and maintenance, so here are our best tips to help you out.
Keep Pool Water at the Perfect Chemical Balance
Keeping your swimming pool water clear and safe to swim in is all about monitoring the chemistry of the water. Due to the heat creating a welcoming environment for algae and high pool use, it is especially important to check pool chemistry through the summer months. We recommend doing this 1-2 times per week.
Here are some helpful guidelines:
- PH level: The PH of your pool should be between 7.2 and 7.8, and the lower your PH is on that range, the less chlorine you’ll need to use.
- Alkalinity: This should be kept between 80 – 120 ppm.
- Calcium Hardness: 250-450 ppm. This can be affected by the level of calcium in your local water supply.
- Cyanuric Acid (conditioner): 30-50 ppm.
- Chlorine Residual: 1-1.5 ppm but can rise as high as 2 ppm with ozone, 3 without.
Timing and consistency is everything when it comes to managing pool chemistry, so try and keep to a regular schedule when it comes to running your regular check and adding chemicals. Remember to follow instructions for safety purposes, as you often have to wait a certain amount of time after adding chemicals to a pool before you can swim. For this reason, many experts recommend scheduling this routine for early evening.
Chemicals should also be stored in a dry, cool place out of the sun and away from children. Chlorine and acid should not be stored next to each other as leaks can cause a hazardous reaction.
Clear Away Swimming Pool Debris
Debris like leaves, insects, twigs and other matter regularly accumulate in your swimming pool. If left in the pool, they not only look unsightly, they also affect your pool’s circulation and increase risks of algae growth. There are many motorized solutions for collecting these debris automatically and these catchment areas will have to be emptied on a regular basis. You can also use a long-handled net to collect debris manually.
It is normal for buildup to occur on the walls and floor of your swimming pool even if your water chemistry is correct. Simply scrub the surfaces with a manual vacuum or brush every few weeks or use an automatic cleaner.
Another area of your pool that will require regular cleaning is the pool filter. As it is designed to clean out debris from your pool, it can clog up and get dirty very easily. Your manual will explain how frequently you’ll need to clear the filter and how to do it, but it’s a good idea to check it each week as well as after rain, a windy day or even after you’ve cut the lawn, as clippings can easily make their way in.
Keeping the Water Level Constant
There are many reasons for your pool’s water level to drop, from kids splashing around and evaporation to more serious reasons like a leak. Your pool needs to stay at the right water level for skimmers to work properly – a good rule of thumb is that it should stay ¾ of the way up the skimmer box and never be allowed to drop below the skimmer box. You can fill your pool from the municipal water system but be sure to re-check the chemistry after you do so to ensure that the balance is maintained.
If filling your pool is not something you want to worry about, there are automatic water supply systems that will take this hassle off your hands. Using a pool cover will also help reduce evaporation while the pool is not in use but be sure to remove it once a week to prevent the pool chemistry from going out of balance.
If you notice your water level is dropping more than usual, you may have a leak. If you have a vinyl pool, check the surface for any tears or rips – these most commonly occur around lighting and drains. If you have a concrete or fiberglass pool, look for cracks in the pool surface. If you spot a crack, turn off your pool pump and drop a few drops of food coloring in near the crack – if the food coloring disappears into the crack area, then you likely have a leak. Unfortunately, fixing a pool leak is not a DIY job, but your local repair company can assist you.
As you can see, pools require a bit of maintenance, especially in the summer months – but we think they’re worth it! We hope our tips help you spend many happy summer days enjoying your swimming pool.