Summer Pool Care: How to Keep Your Pool Clear in Hot Weather
Summer is when pools see the most use — and when they’re under the most pressure. In hot weather, higher temperatures, increased evaporation, and heavier pool use can quickly affect water balance, making it harder to keep your pool clear and healthy.
At Cookes, we regularly see water quality issues increase during the warmer months, particularly in hot regional conditions. Understanding how summer impacts your pool makes it much easier to stay ahead of problems and enjoy clear water throughout the season.
Why Pools Are More Challenging to Maintain in Summer
As temperatures rise, several factors begin working against your pool:
- Sanitiser is used up faster due to heat and UV exposure
- Algae growth accelerates, especially during heatwaves
- Evaporation increases, concentrating minerals in the water
- Higher swimmer numbers introduce oils, sunscreen, and organic matter
Because of this, a pool can look fine on the surface while quietly drifting out of balance if it isn’t monitored regularly during summer.
Why Preventative Care Matters
Small water balance changes can escalate quickly in hot weather. If left unchecked, they may lead to:
- Cloudy or dull-looking water
- Algae growth
- Scale forming on pool surfaces and equipment
- Reduced efficiency of filtration and sanitation systems
Preventative care helps avoid these outcomes and generally reduces the amount of corrective treatment needed later.
Key Summer Pool Care Tips We Recommend
1. Test Your Water More Frequently
During summer, water chemistry can change quickly. Testing at least once a week is recommended, and more often during periods of extreme heat or heavy pool use.
Regular testing helps identify small changes before they turn into bigger problems. If you’re unsure how your pool is coping with the heat, bringing in a water sample for testing can provide clarity and help prevent issues before they start.
2. Maintain Correct Sanitiser Levels
Sanitisers such as chlorine play a critical role in keeping pool water safe and clear. In hot weather, sanitiser levels can drop faster, reducing their effectiveness.
Maintaining levels within the recommended range is essential. If sanitiser levels are difficult to hold, it’s often a sign that overall water balance needs attention — not just more sanitiser.
3. Adjust Filtration Run Times
Warmer temperatures and increased use mean your pool benefits from longer filtration periods. Running your filtration system for additional hours helps circulate chemicals evenly, remove contaminants, and support water clarity.
As a general guide, filtration times should increase during hotter days.
4. Monitor Calcium and Mineral Levels
As water evaporates, minerals remain behind and become more concentrated. Over time, elevated calcium and metal levels can contribute to scale formation, surface staining, and equipment issues.
This is particularly important for pools supplied by bore water or mineral-rich sources, which are more common in regional areas.
5. Keep Filters and Skimmers Clean
With more swimmers and debris entering the pool, filters and skimmer baskets can fill up quickly during summer. Keeping them clean supports good water flow and effective filtration.
The Role of Preventative Pool Treatments
Preventative pool treatments are designed to support stable water balance and protect pool surfaces and equipment during periods of higher demand.
When used correctly, these treatments can help manage mineral levels, reduce the risk of scale and staining, and support consistent water clarity throughout summer — making overall pool care easier and more predictable.
What You Can Expect with Proper Summer Pool Care
With regular monitoring and preventative maintenance, most pool owners will notice:
- Clear, visually appealing water
- Reduced likelihood of algae growth
- Less scale and surface build-up
- More efficient equipment operation
- Fewer reactive treatments required
Keeping Your Pool Clear All Summer
Summer places additional demands on your pool, but most seasonal issues are preventable with consistent care. Regular water testing, correct sanitiser levels, adequate filtration, and attention to mineral balance all play an important role in keeping your pool in good condition.
At Cookes, we believe prevention is better than cure. If you’re ever unsure about your pool’s water balance during the warmer months, our team is here to help you understand what your pool needs so you can enjoy a trouble-free summer.
Quick Summer Pool Care Checklist
- Test your pool water regularly during hot weather
- Maintain correct sanitiser levels
- Increase filtration run times during periods of heavy use
- Keep skimmer baskets and filters clean
- Monitor water levels and top up as needed