With temperatures in the 30’s at the end of April, the 2011 swimming pool season is getting off to a wet and cold start. Even in the face of such wonderful weather, our crews are already hard at work opening up some early bird pools and weather optimists.
When our team schedules your opening, you can expect them, even if it’s pouring rain, or even snowing in some cases.
A few inclement weather tips for your pool:
Swimming pool pumps, especially the ones manufactured in recent years are designed to run 24/7. Does this mean you have to? No, but if you have weather blowing debris into the pool you may want to. In general, you’ll want to run your pump at least 10-12 hours to allow for proper water turnover. (This can vary based on your pool particulars, but it is a general rule).
Test your water chemistry. With the addition of rain water, you can see changes in alkalinity, and ph. Even if you are not swimming yet, the water is running through your system- and water left off balance for any length of time can start to affect the surfaces, metals, and components of your pool. Be proactive with a test kit or test strips at home. Also, it’s a great idea to bring in a water sample to your pool store once or twice a month for a computerized check of your levels.
Of course these tips apply for inclement weather, and also for weather in the heat of the season.
If you have any water chemistry or maintenance questions, we are happy to answer them. Just submit your question below and we’ll do our best to get you a quick answer.
You can also visit us on Facebook, another place to get quick questions answered.