Expert Pool Cleaning Tips for South Florida Homeowners
Living in South Florida means sunshine, palm trees, and if you're lucky, a backyard pool to cool off in. There are things to consider that come with this climate. With year-round warm temperatures and high humidity, keeping your pool clean and clear is a necessity. Whether you’re a new pool owner or just looking to improve your maintenance routine, here are some expert tips to keep your pool sparkling all year long.
1. Stay on Top of Debris Daily
South Florida’s tropical trees and afternoon thunderstorms means that leaves, bugs and debris can quickly build up in your pool. Skim the surface daily and empty skimmer baskets regularly to prevent clogs and circulation issues.
2. Brush and Vacuum Weekly
Algae thrives in humid climates. Brushing the pool walls, steps, and tile line at least once a week can help prevent algae buildup and improve the water circulation. Follow up with vacuuming to remove any algae that has settled on the pool floor.
3. Monitor Your Water Chemistry
Check your pools chemical levels at least twice a week, especially after heavy rain, which can be frequent in South Florida. Make sure to balance be below levels:
Chlorine (1–3 ppm)
pH (7.2–7.8)
Alkalinity (80–120 ppm)
Calcium hardness (200–400 ppm)
Consider using stabilizers to prevent the sun from burning off chlorine too quickly.
4. Shock Your Pool
Due to high a lot of pool use and intense UV exposure, South Florida pools need to be shocked more frequently—sometimes as often as once a week. This helps to kill bacteria and organic contaminants that regular chlorine levels can't handle.
5. Use Algaecide Preventively
Algae blooms can appear overnight in hot and humid weather. Using a weekly algaecide can prevent unsightly (and slippery) green, yellow, or black algae from taking over your pool.
6. Clean the Filter System
Your pools filter works hard to keep your water clean. Whether you have a cartridge, sand, or DE filter, it should be cleaned or backwashed regularly. As often as once every 1–2 weeks depending on usage and debris levels.
7. Keep an Eye on Water Levels
With frequent rain and evaporation, water levels in South Florida pools can fluctuate often. Keep the water halfway up the skimmer opening to ensure proper circulation and skimming efficiency.
8. Invest in a Professional Inspection
At least once a year, have a certified pool technician inspect your system, including pumps, filters, and heaters. They can catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs.
