A swimming pool brings family and friends together for many relaxing days in the water, often along with eating and drinking by the barbecue grill. It’s everything most people hope for when they invest in a house with a pool or if they add one later.
With the enjoyment, of course, comes the responsibility of keeping the pool safe and clean. One thing to remember as you begin is that there are some things you can control and some you can’t. But, either way, the pool must be maintained so everyone has the assurance the pool and the water are safe to use. And, let’s face it, the more the pool is used, the more time is needed to keep it that way.
One major thing that you can’t control is the weather. Let’s explore how the weather affects your pool and what you can do to keep this task from becoming an overwhelming burden.
The Quality of Pool Water on Hot, Sunny Days
Those hot summer days offer the best time of the year for fun in the pool! But the heat has a significant effect on the water quality. The sun’s UV rays attack the chlorine content in the water faster than at any other time of the year. The heat also acts as an incubator for the growth of algae. Both living and non-living contaminants are found more often in warm water and those microorganisms reproduce very quickly in those conditions.
The more often your pool has happy swimmers in it during the summer, the more water quality is affected, too. Swimmers add natural body oils, sunscreen, and sweat to the water, all of which tend to break down the effectiveness of the chemicals in the pool.
All of these effects of the heat, sun, and use on your pool’s water mean it will need constant attention to keep the water clean and enjoyable. As a pool owner, you will use more maintenance products during warmer weather, so stock up as the summer approaches.
One thing you won’t have to worry about during the summer is heating the pool. The water is sufficiently heated naturally by the sun so the heater (if there is one) won’t have to run. This will help with your electric bill, which is always a welcome result!
The Effect of Rain on Pool Water Quality
In many parts of the country, hot summer rains are a regular afternoon occurrence. It might be a great time for naps for the kids, but heavy rainfall dilutes the chemicals in the water. The end result is a PH imbalance that will need to be corrected. Light rains don’t significantly dilute the chemicals in the pool, but if your area experiences regular heavy rains, it will need to be addressed frequently.
Rainwater also carries bacteria, dirt, algae spores, and debris into the pool. This further disrupts the effectiveness of the chlorine in the pool. Heavy storms are also often accompanied by hailstones, which can further contaminate the water. Pool owners must prepare themselves for checking the PH levels more often during the summer if there are regular periods of heavy precipitation in their area.
Winter and Your Pool
Winter isn’t simply a cold snap. It’s an entire season. Some areas of the country do have cold weather, while others only experience a slight dip in temperatures. In either case, you need to know how to prepare your pool for cooler weather and protect its pipes, pumps, and surfaces from severe cold.
Water becomes more aggressive as the temperature drops below freezing. Water expands when it freezes and anything in its way can be destroyed. Make sure the pipes, pumps, filters, and other pool parts have no water in them during the winter. In fact, most pool damage occurs during the winter, with damage to finishes like plaster, quartz, and pebbles. Also, vinyl liners and fiberglass pools can be damaged and surfaces faded.
You will need a cover for the pool for the months when your pool isn’t being used due to low temperatures. This will keep leaves and other debris out of the pool. Be careful rainwater doesn’t collect on the cover and weigh it down. You can pump the rainwater off of the cover or open it after the rain is over. Also, don’t let it simply stay on the pool all season without taking it off periodically to check what’s happening underneath.
Some areas of the country experience both cool and warm days during the winter. Remember that warm weather along with moisture will allow algae to grow. You don’t want a green pool, even if no one is using it for a while. To help prevent this from happening, you will need to check the pool frequently to assess its health.
Make sure to still keep the chemical levels where they should be during the winter months. If the water isn’t circulating, you shouldn’t have too much to do, but check it periodically just to be safe. Add chlorine if you need to.
We Provide Expert Advice About the Effects of Weather on Your Pool!
Here at Pool School Videos, we have a specific video that will show you exactly how your local climate and weather affect your pool and how to maintain its health year-round. In this video, you will learn how to keep your swimming pool crystal clear no matter the season!
We offer 20 self-paced online pool maintenance videos that are filled with professional advice like you won’t find anywhere else, all for a low, one-time fee.
Plus, when you buy the videos, you will get customized guidance in our private Facebook group. Have a specific question? Post it there and we will respond within 24 hours with our expert advice.
This program has been created and is presented by pool professional, Mike Steele, who has over 30 years of experience in professional swimming pool maintenance. These videos provide solutions that are presented in an easy-to-understand way while also clearing up some of the confusing misinformation you will find in YouTube pool maintenance videos.
Our videos and the private Facebook group will save you hundreds of dollars each year on your pool care. If you want your pool to be the envy of the neighborhood as you keep it sparkling clean and algae-free year-round, get started on Pool School Videos today!