6 Tips to Safeguard Your Pool in High Temperatures and Heat Waves
When temperatures rise, pool care requires extra attention to prevent algae growth, water evaporation, and fluctuations in pool chemistry. Follow these six essential tips to keep your pool sparkling clean and ready for enjoyment, even during extreme heat.
1. Test Pool Water More Frequently
In normal weather, once-a-week testing is typically enough. But when heat spikes, water chemistry can change rapidly. Test your pool water at least twice or even three times weekly to monitor chlorine, pH, and alkalinity levels. Chlorine, especially, can break down quickly under direct sunlight, so make sure your levels stay within the ideal range.
Pro Tip: If you’re swimming more often due to the heat, test after heavy usage to catch any significant changes in water chemistry.
2. Increase Chlorine Levels
Algae thrive in warm weather, and higher temperatures mean faster chlorine breakdown. Aim for free chlorine levels of 3 PPM to maintain optimal sanitation. To prevent algae growth and compensate for sunlight exposure, consider shocking your pool weekly. A chlorine-based shock treatment is effective in boosting free chlorine levels and protecting against contaminants.
For Saltwater Pools: Heat can overwork saltwater generators, so adding liquid chlorine or non-chlorine shock manually can help balance chlorine levels without strain on your system.
3. Maintain Stabilizer Levels
Cyanuric Acid (CYA), also known as chlorine stabilizer, protects chlorine from rapid breakdown due to UV exposure. During hot weather, it’s essential to maintain CYA levels between 30 and 50 PPM for most pools, or between 60 and 80 PPM for saltwater pools. This extra buffer keeps chlorine working effectively without frequent re-dosing.
Caution: If CYA levels go too high, partial water replacement may be necessary to bring it back into range.
4. Clean Pool Surfaces More Often
Warmer water encourages algae growth, so ramp up your cleaning routine during heat waves. Brush pool walls and floors a few times a week, and vacuum the pool regularly to remove any spores that may be lingering. Robotic pool cleaners can be a great asset during this time, especially if you run them more frequently in high heat.
5. Increase Pump Run Time
Increased circulation helps prevent algae from settling and improves chemical distribution. If you typically run your pump for 8 hours, add an extra hour or two in hot weather. In extreme heat (over 100°F or 37°C), running your pump continuously at a low speed, if possible, keeps water moving and helps prevent stagnation and algae growth.
6. Use a Solar Cover to Minimize Evaporation
High temperatures can lead to significant water evaporation, which depletes water and pool chemicals. Using a solar cover can reduce evaporation by up to 95%. Cover your pool when not in use, particularly overnight, to conserve water and chemicals.