Hot Weather Pool Care

With high temperatures in the greater Rochester area lately, local pools face a host of hot weather challenges. As a pool owner, you’ll need to adjust your pool maintenance strategy to compensate. Here are our top tips.
 
Beat Back Algae Growth
Our beautiful summer sun can wreak havoc on your pool water’s chlorine concentration. The UV rays degrade and dissipate chlorine, our first line of defense against algae. Did you know on an especially sunny day an optimal chlorine level can be diminished in as little as two hours?
 
It is a good idea to conduct your chemical testing more frequently when it’s hot. If you test chlorine levels every other day, switching to daily can help you stay on top of when and how much chlorine to add. When testing: the chlorine level should be 2.0 to 4.0 ppm, the pH level should be 7.2 to 7.6, total alkalinity between 80-120 ppm and the cyanuric acid should be at least 30 to 90 ppm. Stop in and talk with one of our experts to determine the optimum solution for your particular pool.
 
Stay on Top of Sanitizer Levels
Hot weather usually means more pool use, too! The increased bather load brings increased organics with it. This is just one of several causes (the sun’s UV rays are another) of increased sanitizer consumption.
 
If you have a salt chlorine generator, you’ll most likely want to either supplement with granular chlorine or turn your purifier percentages up until the heat wave passes. While salt chlorine generators are convenient, they’re not smart enough to change their own percentages to compensate for increased heat and bather load.
 
We also highly recommend using a non-chlorine shock treatment weekly to destroy additional organic contaminants, which also put a demand on the sanitizer levels.
 
Additionally, always ensure that your filtering system is properly maintained and functions well, especially when bather load is heavier than normal. Properly maintained filters and sanitizer levels are critical to keep your water safe for all to enjoy.
 
Skim the Surface
When temps get high, it’s also common for trees to shed dry leaves, flowers, seed pods and even bark—all of which can wind up in your pool. Decaying plant matter is another cause of algae growth, so if you notice more debris than usual, skim more frequently.
 
Don’t forget…

• Shock your pool weekly
• Use algaecide regularly
• Run your pump at least 10-12 hours daily

 
These are a few tips for keeping your pool clean, algae-free and beautiful through the hot summer. Sure, it’s a little more work, but you’ll be glad each time you dive in!