JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.
Customer Service: [email protected]
A Guide to Ensuring Pool Water Quality During Summer
Swimming pools can be fun throughout the year, but there’s nothing better than taking a dip at the height of summer! Perfect for cooling off or spending time with family and friends, a swimming pool is the ultimate outdoor accessory for any home.
To make sure you get the most enjoyment possible from your swimming pool this summer, you need to ensure it’s properly maintained. Summer is often the busiest period for swimming pools, which can put added strain on the chemicals, pumps and filters that keep it clean year-round. Here, we provide some pointers to help you look after your swimming pool during summer, making it as easy as possible so you can enjoy the water!
If you only use your swimming pool during the summer months, then you might not realise anything special about this period. However, those using their pool throughout the year will notice that it comes under increased strain during this time. There are many ways in which the pool behaves differently, each affecting how much maintenance is required.
The most apparent change to a pool during the summertime is increased heat. Prolonged sunshine often causes the water to naturally warm, which can be helpful if your pool does not have a heater. However, this extra heat can also cause the water to evaporate.
If your swimming pool is exposed to sunshine during the day, in the summer, it may evaporate at a quicker rate. In swimming pools, chlorine is one of the first things lost when water evaporates, which can cause the chemical balance to change much faster than usual.
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy your swimming pool! Increased use can bring about more sudden changes to a pool, so it helps to be aware. The main thing you’ll notice is the build-up of dirt and oils brought into the pool by swimmers, which may need to be regularly cleaned. Swimmers can also cause the water levels in a pool to change, especially if you have playful children!
With the swimming pool in more frequent use, many of us will leave them open and running throughout the day so people can jump in when they want. With no cover, the amount of debris that lands in a pool can increase during this time, so further cleaning may be required.
Keeping your water clean is vital for a healthy swimming pool at any time of year. However, you need to keep an even more watchful eye on its quality during this busy period.
First of all, you must understand what chemicals you need for a swimming pool. Make sure you have everything you need for the summer, which might be more than at other times of the year.
Note that Total Dissolved Solids is something that is usually controlled by backwashing, and only needs to be checked annually. Therefore, if your pool is open year-round, you may check this at another time.
Get the chemical balance of your pool in order before the busy period begins. Like many things in life, it is easier to keep your water balanced than having to re-balance it throughout the summer. Experienced pool owners will stick to this point religiously because it can make life much more comfortable.
Many outdoor pools in the UK will be ‘closed’, or covered during the winter months and re-opened for summer. If you are doing the same, it’s recommended you look at opening your pool sometime in spring, so everything is ready to go whenever the warm weather arrives!
Once you have your chemicals at the desired level, the next most crucial thing is frequent testing. As previously mentioned, summer can bring about rapid changes in your pool water’s quality, so keeping on top of it is paramount.
If your pool is in use during the summer, then you must be testing its water quality daily, at a minimum. This schedule particularly applies to your chlorine, bromine and pH readings. Alkalinity and calcium hardness can be checked every 1-2 weeks, but do check it more frequently if you believe there are issues with your pool water.
If you manage to keep on top of your water’s chemicals, then maintaining your pool throughout the year will be much more straightforward. However, even the best pools will need a spot of extra cleaning during heavy use.
Create a daily schedule for chemical readings – many people do this in the morning before use, as results could change overnight. Then, create a weekly plan for other things, such as vacuuming, backwashing filters and cleaning the water line if oils begin to build.
A home swimming pool can be the highlight of summer, and with this guide, you’ll spend more time swimming and less time fixing! If you need any swimming pool chemicals, pumps, liners or anything else, check out the extensive range provided by 1st Direct Pools, one of the UK’s leading providers!
If you have any questions about maintaining your swimming pool during the busy summer period, get in contact with our experienced team who are more than happy to help!
