This summer has been remarkable! Due to a number of constraints because of the pandemic, many people chose to do a “Staycation” at one of our hotels or those who could, held pool parties for the children and family at home. Similar to the clean-up after a house party, your pool needs a little cleaning when all the fun is said and done. Although we love our party-goers, they may bring some uninvited guests to the party: sweat, dirt, oil and sunscreen… just to name a few.
The increased amount of pollutants can change your water’s chemistry, which may lead to cloudy water and algae growth in your pool.
Before the pool party
We recommend shocking your pool 1 – 2 days beforehand to boost the chlorine levels. Shock will not only sanitize the pool, but will allow you to maintain a good chlorine level that can handle the stress that a pool party brings.
During the pool party
Water features, if you have any, not only elevate the ambiance, but can also help circulate chlorine if attached to a filtration system. You can also add oxidizers to help protect your pool from oils, sunscreens, and other pollutants during the pool party. This will help keep your water clear while treating bacteria and algae.
After the pool party
Now it’s time to take action! If left untouched, your water may run the risk of having a low chlorine level (creating the perfect breeding ground for algae). It is a good idea to Shock your pool after the party to boost the chlorine level. We recommend that you add shock at night to avoid burn-off from the sun during the day.
Make sure to run your pool pump for at least 8 hours after adding the shock at night. Debris and particulates will filter out by running your pump and circulating the water. Remember to skim the water surface with a leaf rake, empty the skimmer basket, then brush your pool walls and steps/ladder and vacuum the remaining debris. Last, but not least, you may need to clean the pool filter – for cartridge filters, you can rinse the filter cartridges with a garden hose. For sand and DE filters, make sure to backwash the dirty water.
Water level
A lot of water may have been lost during the cannonball contest at the party, so make sure to check the water level. For your pool equipment to run properly, the water needs to be above the wall skimmer level. Simply add water with a garden hose to increase the water level. While you have the garden hose out, it’s always a good practice to spray down the pool deck for excess debris that may end-up in your pool.
Test water chemistry
After you have cleaned the pool and surrounding area, it’s time to test your water chemistry. At a minimum, you should use a kit that can test for Free Available Chlorine, Cyanuric Acid, pH, Total Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness.
After your pool is back in tip-top shape, it’s time to plan for the next party!
