Summer turns your back yard into a go-to spot for relaxation and fun—but it also puts extra strain on your pool. Rising temperatures, heavy usage, and sunlight can all impact water quality. Smart maintenance helps prevent algae, equipment issues, and chemical imbalances so your pool stays sparkling and safe all summer. Here’s how to stay ahead with tips from KustomScapes & Pools.

High heat accelerates algae growth, especially when water exceeds 85°F. More swimmers mean more contaminants—sweat, sunscreen, and oils—that deplete chlorine and clog filters. Plus, UV rays can destroy up to 90% of unstabilized chlorine in just two hours. Combined with added debris from pollen and grass, it’s clear why maintenance needs ramp up in summer.

Run your pump 10–12 hours daily to promote circulation. Clean skimmer and pump baskets weekly and backwash filters when pressure rises 8–10 PSI above normal. Cartridge filters should be cleaned every two weeks; sand filters backwashed weekly; DE filters maintained per guidelines. Keep skimmers clear and return jets clean and angled for optimal flow.

Test water twice a week and after storms. Maintain pH between 7.2–7.6, alkalinity at 80–120 ppm, and free chlorine at 2–4 ppm. Use cyanuric acid (30–50 ppm) to protect chlorine from UV rays. Shock weekly at night to destroy chloramines and maintain sanitizer levels.

Skim daily to remove surface debris and brush pool walls regularly to prevent algae. Vacuum weekly, focus on debris-prone areas, and clean waterline tiles and decks to avoid buildup. Backwash filters and empty baskets weekly to ensure efficiency.

Algae blooms? Keep chlorine above 2 ppm and use weekly algaecide. Cloudy water? Check filters and circulation. High chemical demand? Use pool covers and apply chemicals during cooler hours.

Before traveling, test and balance your pool, shock it, clean equipment, and set pump timers for extended runtimes. Leave a checklist and supplies with your caretaker for peace of mind.

Install variable speed pumps, use pool covers to reduce evaporation, and run equipment during off-peak hours to cut energy costs.

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