POOL CARE & MAINTENANCE: BEST PRACTICES
During the summer, trees, shrubs, and other plants around your pool grow quickly and shed more debris. Regular trimming is essential to prevent this debris from clogging your filter, slowing circulation, and risking equipment damage. Plus, all that organic matter increases phosphate levels in your pool. Phosphates are algae’s main food source. When phosphates rise, algae growth can quickly get out of control. By staying on top of yard work, you keep your water sparkling clean and reduce the need for extra chemicals.
🌞 Pro Tip: With stronger winds and storms more frequent this season, be sure to empty your skimmer and pump baskets often between service visits to prevent clogs.
Keep Plants Trimmed Around Your Pool
For optimal circulation and filtration, keep the water level at or just above the middle of the skimmer. This is especially important during the summer months, when evaporation and increased pool use can quickly lower water levels. If the water level drops too low, your pool pump may start drawing in air, leading to airlocks, overheating, and even pump failure. To avoid costly damage, check your pool’s water level every day.
For effortless water level maintenance, consider installing the Sentry Automatic Leveler . To use it, you’ll also need a separate garden hose of the appropriate length to connect the device to your water supply.
Prefer a DIY approach? Check out this video: Sentry Auto Fill: DIY Installation
Don’t Let Your Water Level Drop Below the Skimmer
Proper circulation is the lifeblood of a healthy pool. It ensures that chlorine and other chemicals are evenly distributed, removing bacteria and preventing algae growth. Circulation also helps move debris through the filtration system, keeping the water clear and sparkling. Without adequate circulation, your pool becomes vulnerable to cloudy water, clogged filters, and increased strain on your pump and other equipment.
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Summer: Run the pump 6–8 hours daily.
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Cooler months: Reduce to 4–5 hours daily.
🌞 Pro Tip: During summer, consider running your pump during off-peak hours to save on electricity costs.
The Importance of Daily Pump Operation
Looking for a pool pump that’s not just efficient but also super smart? The IntelliFlo3® VSF Pool Pump is a game-changer! With two horsepower options (1.5 HP and 3.0 HP), it runs quietly while handling your pool’s needs with ease. It’s packed with features, like built-in automation to control things like pool lights and the flexibility to connect to your Pentair Pool app or the Pentair Pro app for remote monitoring.
Plus, thanks to its variable speed and sensorless flow technology, you’ll enjoy optimal flow and up to 90% savings on energy costs. That’s a win-win for your pool and your wallet!
✅ Ready to upgrade? Call us for a quote and to schedule installation!
Huge Energy Savings with the IntelliFlo3® VSF Pool Pump
During busy summer months, debris and algae build up quickly. Running a robotic cleaner 1–2 hours daily helps fight bacteria, prevent algae growth, and keeps your filter clog-free.
Although a robotic pool cleaner requires an initial investment, it can save you money in the long run If you're thinking about an upgrade, The Pentair Prowler 920 is a top-notch choice for effortless and reliable pool cleaning.
🌞 Pro Tip: Use the robotic cleaner in the evening so it can do its job without interruption.
Keep Algae Away: Run Your Sweep Daily
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY DOES MY POOL TURN GREEN?
A green pool is one of the most common issues pool owners encounter. In most cases, green water is caused by algae growth, which occurs when the chlorine level in the pool drops too low to properly sanitize the water. Chlorine is essential for killing bacteria, algae, and other contaminants. When chlorine levels fall below the recommended range, algae can quickly begin to grow and turn the water green.
Several factors can cause chlorine levels to drop. Hot weather, heavy pool use, rainstorms, and debris such as leaves and dirt can all reduce chlorine levels and introduce nutrients that feed algae. If the pool’s filtration system is not running properly or the filter is dirty, algae can also spread more easily.
Once algae begin to grow, the water may appear light green, dark green, or even cloudy green, depending on how advanced the problem is. The sooner the issue is addressed, the easier it is to restore the pool to clear, healthy water.
Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent green pool water. Weekly service helps ensure that the water chemistry stays balanced, the filter system runs efficiently, and chlorine levels remain within the proper range.
If your pool has already turned green, professional treatment may be needed to remove algae and rebalance the water chemistry.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD POOL CHEMICALS BE ADDED?
Pool chemicals are essential for keeping your water clean, clear, and safe for swimming. In most residential pools, chemicals need to be checked and adjusted at least once per week to maintain proper water balance.
The most important chemical levels to maintain are chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and stabilizer (cyanuric acid). Chlorine sanitizes the water and prevents algae and bacteria from growing, while proper pH and alkalinity help the chlorine work effectively and protect your pool equipment.
Certain conditions can cause chemicals to be used up more quickly. Hot temperatures, heavy swimming activity, rain, and debris such as leaves or dirt can all affect water chemistry and may require additional adjustments between regular service visits. For example, chlorine levels often drop faster during hot summer months when the pool is used more frequently.
Because water chemistry can change quickly, it’s important to test the water regularly and add chemicals as needed to keep everything balanced. Many pool owners rely on weekly professional pool service to ensure the water chemistry remains stable and to prevent issues like algae growth, cloudy water, or equipment damage.
WHY IS MY POOL CLOUDY?
Cloudy pool water is a common problem that many pool owners experience. When a pool becomes cloudy, it usually means that small particles are suspended in the water, preventing it from looking clear and sparkling. These particles can come from several sources, including poor filtration, chemical imbalance, or the early stages of algae growth.
One of the most common causes of cloudy water is improper water chemistry. If the chlorine level is too low, bacteria and algae can begin to grow. If the pH or alkalinity is not balanced, chlorine may not work as effectively, which can also lead to cloudy water.
Another common cause is poor filtration or a dirty filter. When the pool filter is clogged or overdue for cleaning, it cannot properly remove fine debris from the water. This allows particles to remain suspended, creating a dull or cloudy appearance.
Environmental factors can also contribute to cloudy water. Heavy pool use, rain, wind, pollen, dust, and leaves can all introduce contaminants that affect water clarity. In some cases, cloudy water may also appear after adding certain pool chemicals if they have not fully dissolved or circulated through the system.
To prevent cloudy water, pool owners should maintain balanced water chemistry, proper circulation, and regular filter cleaning.
WHY IS MY POOL LOSING WATER?
It is normal for pools to lose a small amount of water over time, but excessive water loss may indicate a problem. The most common cause is evaporation, especially during hot weather or when the pool is exposed to wind and direct sunlight. In warm climates, pools can lose ¼ to ½ inch of water per day due to evaporation alone. Splash-out from swimmers, water features, or pool play can also cause the water level to drop slightly.
However, if the pool is losing water faster than normal, it could be due to plumbing leaks, damaged equipment, or cracks in the pool structure. These issues should be inspected and repaired promptly to prevent further water loss and potential damage.
A simple way to check for a leak is the bucket test. Fill a bucket with pool water and place it on a pool step so the water inside matches the pool level outside. After 24 hours, compare the levels. If the pool water drops more than the bucket water, a leak may be present.
WHY IS MY POOL PUMP LOSING PRIME?
When a pool pump loses prime, it means the pump can no longer maintain a steady flow of water and begins to pull air into the system. This reduces water circulation and prevents the pool equipment from operating properly.
One of the most common causes of a pool pump losing prime is air leaks in the plumbing or around the pump lid. These leaks allow air to enter the system instead of water. A low pool water level can also cause this problem if the skimmer begins to draw air instead of water. In other cases, the issue may be caused by clogged skimmer baskets or pump baskets, which restrict the water flow reaching the pump.
A dirty or clogged pool filter can also create excess pressure in the system, making it harder for the pump to circulate water efficiently.
Regular pool maintenance such as keeping baskets clean, maintaining the proper water level, and cleaning the filter regularly can help prevent this issue. If your pool pump continues losing prime, a professional inspection may be needed to locate and repair the source of the air leak.
WHY ARE PHOSPHATES BAD FOR MY POOL?
Phosphates are nutrients that can enter pool water and promote algae growth. They commonly come from sources such as leaves, pollen, fertilizers, rainwater, dust, and other organic debris. While phosphates themselves are not harmful to swimmers, they act as food for algae, making it easier for algae to grow and eventually turn pool water green if left untreated.
It is important to note that chlorine and other common pool chemicals do not remove phosphates. Chemicals typically used in weekly service—such as chlorine, chlorine shock, muriatic acid, calcium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and soda ash—are designed to sanitize and balance the water, not eliminate dissolved phosphates.
When phosphate levels become elevated, pool professionals often recommend phosphate remover treatments. After treatment, filter cleaning is recommended to remove trapped contaminants and prevent phosphates from circulating back into the pool.
Maintaining low phosphate levels helps keep pool water clear, balanced, and algae-free.