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How to heatwave and blackout proof your pool all summer

02 February 2019 Soodi Sangari

Have you been finding it harder to keep your pool water sparkling clean this summer? The good news is you’re not alone. With the prolonged hot weather and power outages, many pool owners across the country are struggling to keep their water clear and more importantly, healthy.

How hot sunny weather affects pool water quality

The sun’s ultraviolet or UV rays deplete your pool’s chlorine. The resulting low level of chlorine combined with warm water create the perfect breeding ground for algae, harmful bacteria and other disease-causing organisms.

While you can’t see microscopic-size algae and bacteria, your pool turns a tell-tale green or becomes cloudy. The parts of your pool where water circulation is poor, such as corners, steps and where the pool floor meets the walls, are often the first to show signs of algae growth

How power outages affect pool water quality

During power outages, your pool’s recirculation and purification systems and automatic cleaner stop working. And depending on your timer, a power outage can disrupt its settings.

As power outages can go unnoticed, particularly when you’re asleep at night, at work or out and about, we recommend to check your pool water and automatic pool maintenance systems daily.

Restoring water balance is key to keeping your pool clear and healthy

Maintaining the correct water balance is key to a healthy pool. Without correctly balanced water, chlorine, the best defence against algae and bacteria growth, is unable to work effectively.

The first step to rebalancing your pool water is to test the pH level and total alkalinity with a Swimart test kit or by taking a sample to your local Swimart store

If your pool water’s pH is too high, chlorine becomes less effective and the water quickly becomes become dull and cloudy. You can easily lower the pH by adding acid to the pool water or a pH decreaser such as Swimart’s Aqua-health pH Decreaser which is a safer alternative to hydrochloric acid.

If your pool water’s pH is too low, it will start to hurt your eyes and skin and make you feel itchy. This can be easily fixed by adding ‘buffer’ or alkali like Swimart’s Aqua-health Alkalinity Increaser

During ongoing hot weather, pools don’t cool down overnight which leads to increased algae growth

Swimart’s handy power outage checklist

If you have recently experienced a power outage, follow these easy steps before using your pool to return your pool systems to normal:

  1. Once power is restored, check to see if your recirculation and purification systems are functioning
  2. Operate the pump and chlorinator for at least one hour
  3. Ensure proper pH and sanitiser residual. Check the sanitiser level as soon as possible
  4. Reset the timers for pumps, lights and other auxiliary equipment

Swimart’s essential guide for a sparkling pool all summer

Our professional pool technicians have created an easy guide to help you maintain your pool with minimal effort over the hectic summer period. That means more time to relax, cool off and enjoy your pool, and less time and money keeping it in peak condition.

Each day

Check the sanitiser/chlorine levels

Run the filtration systems for six to eight hours

Every two days

Check the pH level

Maintain the water level at least half way up to the skimmer box opening

Once a week

  • Check Total Alkalinity with a Swimart test kit or by taking a sample to your local Swimart store
  • Clean out your skimmer basket and hair and lint pot in your filtration pump
  • Brush or vacuum pool walls and floor
  • Thoroughly backwash your sand or DE filter, or remove and clean the cartridge from your cartridge filter with a hose, depending on pool use.

To rebalance pool water

Take a sample of your pool water from elbow depth away from the pool returns and take it to your local Swimart store to be professionally tested

To help protect your pool water’s chlorine from the sun’s UV rays

Use a stabiliser such as Swimart’s Aqua-health Sunscreen or use a chlorine with a built-in stabiliser such as Swimart’s Aqua-health Chlorine Concentrate

 Kill algae and keep it under control all summer with a quality algaecide like Aqua-health Concide Algaecide

Print out this guide and keep it handy this summer so your pool stays sparkling clean!