Article Excerpt
Summer is pool weather in Texas. Whether you’re planning big pool parties or some simple relaxation, here’s how to get your pool ready.
How to Keep Your Pool in Great Shape for the Summer
Summer is pool weather in Texas. Whether you’re planning big pool parties or some simple relaxation, here’s how to get your pool ready.
Summer in Texas means heat and humidity, but it also means pool parties. Nowhere in Texas is safe from the summer heat, so if you have a way to keep cool, don’t hesitate to use it. Now would be a great time to make sure your pool is in good working order and ready for summer. Here are 8 tips for what to do to get your pool ready.
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Check Your Equipment
Pool maintenance is far from a fun job, but it’s necessary to keep your pool up and running. Technology has given us ways around some of the less glamorous work. Inspect your equipment to make sure you have everything you need.
You’ll need tools for checking the pool’s chemical levels and for regular cleaning. A telescoping pole can let you attach various tools, such as:
A leaf skimmer for floating leaves
A leaf gulper for leaves that have sunk to the bottom
A brush to scrub the bottom and sides
A pool vacuum
You can also automate your pool maintenance with a robot pool cleaner, a floating chlorine dispenser, and other gadgets.
Photo by Keith Williamson on Flickr [Creative Commons]
Check The Water Level
The water level in your pool might have dropped during the off-season. You can tell if your pool is at the optimal water level by looking at the skimmer assembly. The water should cover about one-third of the skimmer. This level enables the skimmer to take in debris. If the water is too high, the skimmer will suck in more water than debris. If it’s too low, the skimmer can’t do its job at all.
Clean And Secure The Deck
Keeping the area around the pool clean and safe is just as important as maintaining the pool itself. Sweep the area and hose it down to remove dirt and debris. This can help keep the pool clean and remove tripping or slipping hazards.
You should also check to make sure your pool and yard are in compliance with Texas law:
Pools must be enclosed by a fence that is at least 48 inches tall.
The fence cannot be made of chain-link or any other material that children can easily climb.
Gaps under the fence must be smaller than 4 inches.
Any “decorative designs or cutouts” in the fence cannot be larger than 1.75 inches wide.
Gates leading into the pool area must meet the same standards as the fence.
Photo by Engin Akyurt from Pexels
Skim And Scrub
Now that you’ve checked all of your tools and cleaned the area around the pool, it's time to take on the pool itself. Skimming should be a regular routine. Once debris sinks to the bottom, it’s much harder to get out of the pool. Scrubbing the sides of the pool at least every two weeks can prevent the buildup of algae.
Keep The Filters Clean
Your pool’s filters never get to take a break. When they’re working properly, they’ll cut down on the amount of time you need to spend with the skimmer. Check them regularly to clear out debris.
Photo by julie aagaard from Pexels
Test The PH And Chlorine
The proper balance of chemicals is the difference between a pool, a pond, and a body of water that is unsafe for living things. The Texas Department of Health recommends a pH level between 7.4 and 7.6 for public pools. For chlorine, it recommends 3 to 5 parts per million (ppm). These are also useful measurements for backyard pools.
Watch Out For Algae
Texas pools can be vulnerable to several types of algae. At a minimum, algae growth is unsightly. At worst, it can be hazardous to your health. Regular scrubbing and maintaining pool chemicals in balance can stave off algae growth. You can also inspect for cracks or fissures where algae might be most likely to grow. If you can’t repair those areas, you can at least give them extra attention to make sure they stay clean.
Photo by Qfamily on Flickr [Creative Commons]
Do A Safety Check And Set Some Safety Rules
It’s almost time to enjoy your summer. Before you do, though, give everything one more look to check for safety risks. Make a list of safety rules for any guests who come to use your pool: No running, no diving in the shallow end, etc.
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