When the heat cranks up in late summer, nothing beats a refreshing dip in your own backyard pool. But with all that sunshine, sweat, sunscreen and extra swimmers, your pool water can take a hit—fast. If you’re starting to notice cloudy water, green spots or a funky smell, you’re not alone. The Dog Days of summer are the trickiest time to keep your water balanced. With a few simple tips, however, you can keep pool clean and swim-ready through the hottest weeks of the year.
1. Watch out for algae—It loves the heat
Hot weather is like a personal invitation for algae to take over your pool. Throw in extra swimmers, debris, and a few missed cleanings, and it can bloom overnight. Algae thrives in warm, stagnant water, especially if your chlorine levels dip even a little bit. Keep an eye out for green tints, slippery surfaces, or cloudy water—they’re early signs that trouble’s brewing.
2. Test your water often (and for free)
When temperatures soar, your pool chemistry can go off-balance in a hurry. That’s why we recommend testing your water at least twice a week during peak summer. Heat and UV rays break down chlorine faster than usual, and heavy pool use throws off pH, alkalinity, and calcium levels. Not sure where to start? Just bring us a water sample! We offer free professional water testing to help you stay ahead of any problems. We’ll let you know exactly what your pool needs—and what it doesn’t.
3. Stay on top of basic maintenance
A little routine goes a long way:
- Skim daily to remove leaves, bugs, and debris before they sink and affect your water quality.
- Brush the walls and floor of your pool a couple of times a week to prevent algae and buildup.
- Vacuum regularly, either manually or with an automatic cleaner.
- Check your filter—backwash or clean it when pressure rises or flow slows down. A dirty filter can’t keep up in the heat.
When your pool is in heavy use, don’t skip a beat. A missed cleaning or forgotten shock treatment can turn into a green pool faster than you think.
4. Shock smart, not hard
Shocking your pool (super-chlorinating it) is a must during the Dog Days. It’s the quickest way to kill bacteria and clear up cloudy water. But timing and product choice matter. Shock in the evening to avoid the sun burning off the chlorine, and always follow label directions.
Bonus tip: after a pool party or rainstorm, go ahead and shock. Better safe than swampy!
5. Stop guessing—Bring us your water!
We’re here to help you enjoy your pool, not stress over it. Swing by with a sample and take advantage of our free water testing service. We’ll walk you through the results and recommend exactly what your pool needs to stay clean, balanced, and beautiful.
Let’s keep your pool sparkling all summer long!
