Ultimate Summer Pool Maintenance Tips

When summer temperatures return to the Chicagoland area, nothing hits the spot like a refreshing dip in your backyard pool. But keeping the water clean takes consistent care. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be time-consuming or overwhelming. With a few smart habits and practical summer pool care tips, you can keep the water sparkling and swimmable all season long.

Skim, Brush, and Vacuum Like a Pro

Keeping your pool pristine starts with the basics: a good skimmer net, a sturdy brush, and a little elbow grease. Skimming the surface should be a near-daily ritual to keep leaves, bugs, and other floating debris from polluting your pool. Then, weekly brushing eliminates gunk clinging to the walls and floor. Algae loves growing in those hard-to-reach spots, so don’t be shy about scrubbing.

Take our pool cleaning advice and vacuum your pool once a week to keep the water crystal clear. If you have a robotic cleaner, let it do the hard work while you sip lemonade in the shade.

Maintain Proper Water Circulation

Stagnant water is bad news for any pool, while circulation keeps things fresh. Run your pool pump for eight to 12 hours a day to distribute chemicals and prevent algae from ruining your summer fun.

If your pool looks cloudy, check the filter. A clean filter is necessary to keep contaminants in check. Backwash your sand or DE filter, as needed, or clean your cartridge filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Also, don’t overlook the return jets, which must be positioned properly to create good flow throughout the pool.

Balance Your Pool Chemistry

Maintaining balanced water chemistry keeps swimmers comfortable and extends your pool equipment’s lifespan, so be consistent about testing and adjusting. Use a test kit or strips about twice a week to monitor pH, chlorine, bromine, and total alkalinity. Here are the ideal levels to aim for:

• pH:4 to 7.6
• Chlorine: 1 to 3 ppm
• Bromine: 3 to 5 ppm
• Total alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm

If the water chemistry becomes imbalanced—say, after a big pool party or thunderstorm—don’t panic. That’s when you shock the pool. Pool shock gives the water a chemical jolt to kill off bacteria and break down organics. It acts like a reset button, bringing your water back to its clear, swim-ready state.

Follow a Weekly Pool Care Guide

Establishing a routine is half the battle. Carve out a few minutes throughout the week so your pool stays fresh and swim-ready on the weekends. Here’s what to do:

• Monday: Skim the surface, check the skimmer baskets, and empty them out.
• Wednesday: Brush the pool walls and vacuum the floor.
• Friday: Test the water, adjust the chemicals as needed, and backwash the filter.
• Weekend: Swim to your heart’s content.

Use These Tricks to Make Life Easier

Summer pool upkeep hacks boost your cleaning routine without requiring much effort. Give these ideas a try:

• Toss a few tennis balls into the pool or skimmer baskets. They’ll absorb oils from sunscreen, lotion, and hair care products so the water stays cleaner longer.
• Wrap your skimmer baskets with old pantyhose for an added layer of filtration. The fine mesh catches tiny particles your skimmers might miss.
• Use baking soda to your advantage. Sprinkle it in the pool to raise the total alkalinity or mix it into a paste to scrub away buildup on tile and grout.
• Try pool flocculant to control cloudiness fast. Floc binds fine particles into clumps that sink to the bottom so you can vacuum them out. Just remember, this is a quick fix, not a cure for ongoing issues. If your pool gets cloudy regularly, check the filter and chemical levels more closely.

Know When to Call a Professional

Keeping your pool clean can quickly become tedious, especially when you encounter problems you can’t figure out how to fix. This summer, focus on other tasks like lawn care, dog walks, and barbecues. Leave pool maintenance to professionals. A reliable pool service can handle weekly cleaning, chemical balancing, and equipment troubleshooting. You will spend less time using hoses and test kits, allowing more time to enjoy your pool.

Why Pool Owners Trust All Seasons Pools & Spas

Make the most of your backyard pool with help from All Seasons Pools & Spas. As a family-owned pool service company in Orland Park, IL, we combine decades of experience with the personalized service you deserve. Pool and Spa News has named us among the Top 50 Service Companies in the US. Our dedication to expert pool care has earned us a positive reputation among our growing base of loyal customers. If you’re ready to stop worrying about chlorine levels and filter clogs, request a quote for pristine pool maintenance services in the Southwest Chicago area today.