We are amid the sweltering Florida summer. You may have noticed; your pool chemistry needs a little extra attention this time of year. That’s because the sun and the heat have an impact on your pool chemicals (let’s face it, they influence pretty much everything when it’s this hot).
This blog will touch on a few things you may want to keep your eyes on with regards to your pool care this summer. It’s important to take stock of what chemicals you have on hand as well as checking other pool supplies like your net, brush, skimmer, and other accessories to help make your pool maintenance routine as smooth as possible.
Inspect Your Surface
Inspect the interior surface of your pool for any wear and tear, such as pitting, etching, delamination, etc. to determine if your pool needs to be re-plastered. A new surface is much easier to maintain.
Chemical Testing
Once your pool is running and the water has had a few hours to circulate, you will want to test the chemical levels including pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine. During the summertime, the heat and sun causes the chlorine to dissipate more rapidly than during the winter months. This is why pools can turn green rapidly during the summer if not cared for. Using chlorine tablets with stabilizer will help to maintain the chlorine level.
Chemical Adjustment
Depending upon the size of your pool, you will need to adjust your chemical levels bit by bit with the filter running to distribute and dilute chemicals and bring your pool water up to proper levels. We always advise our clients to aim for the middle of the recommended ranges—to high or too low can be damaging to your pool. The typical chemical ranges recommended are: chlorine reading of 1.0-3.0ppm, pH between 7.2 and 7.6, alkalinity between 80-120ppm, and calcium hardness between 200-350 ppm.
Re-Testing
After adjusting chemicals, you should test your water again several hours later, or the next day to ensure proper chemical balance. As you move through the season, it is important to test your water and adjust your chemicals on a weekly basis (or as needed) to keep your pool in the best shape and avoid costly equipment repairs.
Cleaning and Circulation
One your water is balanced; you should adjust your pool’s timer to run during the day when the sun’s UV rays are strongest. This is key in helping decrease how fast your pool uses chlorine while keeping your pool sanitized!
Now head outside and make the most of our beautiful Florida weather and your sparkling blue water!
The Importance of Clean Pool Water
A sparkling blue and crystal-clear pool is not just beautiful, it is a healthier pool for you, your loved ones, and guests. A properly sanitized pool is a safe pool, and this is paramount to an enjoyable experience as a swimming pool owner and for all swimming guests. To ensure water clarity and to prevent the transmission of waterborne disease, sanitization is a key component for any swimming pool or hot tub.
Maintaining a clean pool goes beyond chemistry alone. It also requires a well-maintained equipment system—your pump, filter, and skimmer. With regular water testing and equipment maintenance, you can keep your pool clean and inviting year-round.
Types of Contaminants
So…what exactly are you working to keep in check with your pool maintenance? There are a wide variety of sources that can introduce contaminants into your pool water but the three main categories are environmental contaminants, pathogenic contaminants, and those introduced by swimmer’s bodies.
• Environmental Contaminants
This category includes environmental sources such as dirt and debris that blows into your water from the surrounding outdoor space. Leaves, branches, flowers, pollen, sap, and other items can make their way into your pool and cause issues. Additionally insects and birds can also bring in a variety of potential spores and contaminants.
• Pathogenic Contaminants
This category sparks the greatest concern for pools although primarily public pools. Pathogens like viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa can cause illnesses like cryptosporidiosis or giardiasis as well as other common issues like swimmer’s ear, rashes, or respiratory infections.
• Contaminants from Swimmers
This category contains matter that gets into the pool by the bodies of bathers. Microorganisms and body oils like sweat, make-up, sunscreen, urine, saliva, and fecal matter also need to be combated with regular cleanings and disinfection products.
We hope you found these tips useful to help properly maintain your pool this summer! Advanced Pool & Spa is a family owned and operated pool remodeling company that has been serving the greater Tampa Bay area for nearly 40 years! We specialize in pool finishing for commercial and residential pools and would love to help you with your next pool remodeling project—whether you’re looking for a simple resurfacing or a full remodel with tile, deck work, a new finish, and more—we are ready to help!
