HOW TO KEEP YOUR POOL SWIM READY
2022-05-30
SouthMountain Pool Service
Summer in the Valley of the Sun isn’t just hot—it’s scorching. With temperatures often soaring above 100 °F +, maintaining a pristine, swim-ready pool requires the right approach. Here’s how you can stay ahead of the heat and enjoy a crystal-clear pool all season long. ↓
1. Maintain Ideal Water Chemistry 💧
Phoenix’s intense sun and hard water make chemical balance crucial. Arizona-specific experts recommend the following targets for peak pool performance:
-
pH: 7.4–7.8 – Balanced pH keeps chlorine effective and eyes comfortable shinepoolsaz.com+12bestwaypoolservice.com+12beatbot.com+12reddit.com+3shinepoolsaz.com+3bluelemonpools.com+3emeraldpoolandspa.com+2luv2swim.medium.com+2shinepoolsaz.com+2.
-
Chlorine: 1–3 ppm – Keeps water sanitized without overpowering swimmers emeraldpoolandspa.com+1shinepoolsaz.com+1.
-
Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm – Stabilizes your pH levels thespruce.com+11luv2swim.medium.com+11shinepoolsaz.com+11.
-
Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm – Prevents scaling and protects surfaces emeraldpoolandspa.com+14luv2swim.medium.com+14shinepoolsaz.com+14.
-
Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer): 40–70 ppm – Shields chlorine from UltraViolet (UV) degradation in strong sunlight epoolsupply.com+8luv2swim.medium.com+8shinepoolsaz.com+8.
📌 Pro Tip: During peak summer heat, test your water 2–3 times per week to catch imbalances early and avoid costly fixes epoolsupply.com+11shinepoolsaz.com+11epoolsupply.com+11.
2. Filter & Pump Run Times
Proper circulation supports healthy water and chemical distribution. Here’s what works best in Phoenix summers:
-
Run at least 8 hours per day—some homeowners find 10–12 hours even better during heatwaves reddit.com+4epoolsupply.com+4epoolsupply.com+4.
-
If you’re using a single-speed pump, run it 1 hour per day for every 10 °F (e.g., 10 hours at 100 °F) lesliespool.com.
-
For variable-speed pumps, schedule 3–4 hours high-speed cleaning and 8–9 hours low-speed circulation daily lesliespool.com.
Running your pump in evening/night hours not only improves efficiency (lower energy rates) but also reduces water loss from evaporation .
3. Skimming, Brushing & Circulation Basics
Even the cleanest filters can’t catch everything. Manual maintenance is essential:
-
Skim daily to remove leaves, pollen, and debris.
-
Brush walls, steps, and tile lines 1–2 times a week, especially after storms or heavy use .
-
Vacuum weekly or as needed, depending on pool traffic and conditions.
-
Ensure good circulation: Keep return jets clear and angled downward to promote swirling motion and drain-surface contact beatbot.com+12en.wikipedia.org+12supercleanpools.com+12.
Why it matters: Phoenix dust storms and summer use can rapidly cloud water—prevent “green-outs” by staying ahead .
4. When to Call the Pros
Even with excellent DIY care, Arizona summers demand professional touchpoints:
| Service | When to Call |
|---|---|
| Bi‑weekly chemical balancing | When TOP parameters drift |
| Filter deep clean | Every 3–6 months or when backwash frequency increases 12supercleanpools.com+12en.wikipedia.org+12 |
| Post-storm or algae bloom cleanup | Whenever water turns green or cloudy |
| Annual drain & refill | When stabilization is off or buildup accumulates |
| Equipment check | If you see leaks, low flow, or noisy pump operation |
✅ Final Summer Checklist
Test water 2–3x/week for pH, chlorine, alkalinity, calcium, stabilizer
Pump 8–12 hours daily (evening or night recommended)
Skim daily, brush weekly, and vacuum as needed
Schedule pro care twice summer for filter clean, storm cleanup, and checkups
Following this guide will help you maintain a sparkling, swim-ready pool—even when Phoenix is blazing hot. Want expert help?
South Mountain Pool Service is your local solution—certified, reliable, and ready to dive in
Social Share
Video
Tag:
