How to Prepare Your Pool Before Leaving for the Summer
If you're planning to head out of town for the summer, it’s important to make sure your pool is properly prepared before you go. Florida’s heat, rain, and humidity can quickly turn an unattended pool into a green, murky mess if it’s not taken care of the right way.
Here’s how to get your pool ready and avoid returning home to expensive repairs or a major cleanup.
1. Clean the Pool Thoroughly
Start by removing all debris from the water, brushing the walls and floor, and vacuuming the entire pool. Don’t skip this step—leaves, dirt, and organic material left in the pool can lead to algae growth and staining while you’re gone.
2. Balance the Water Chemistry
Make sure your pool water is properly balanced before leaving. Adjust the pH (ideal range: 7.4–7.6), alkalinity (80–120 ppm), and calcium hardness (200–400 ppm). This will help protect your pool’s surface and equipment, and make it harder for algae to take hold.
3. Shock the Pool
Shocking the pool with chlorine before you leave will kill off any lingering bacteria and give the water a strong sanitizing boost. Use a high-quality pool shock and follow the label instructions for your pool size.
4. Add a Long-Lasting Algaecide
Algaecide adds an extra layer of protection, especially if you're going to be away for more than a week or two. Use a copper-based or non-foaming algaecide designed for long-term prevention.
5. Check and Clean Your Filter
Whether you have a cartridge, sand, or DE filter, give it a good cleaning before you go. A clean filter will help keep the water circulating properly and catch debris more effectively while you’re away.
6. Run the Pump on a Timer
Make sure your pool pump is set to run automatically on a timer, ideally 8 to 12 hours per day. Good water circulation is essential to keeping the pool clean and your chemicals evenly distributed.
7. Secure Your Pool Area
Close and lock pool gates, check for any safety hazards, and make sure the pool cover (if you're using one) is in good condition and properly secured. This not only helps with safety, but also keeps out leaves and debris.
8. Ask Someone to Check In (or Hire a Pool Service)
If you're going to be gone for a while, it's a smart idea to have someone check on your pool every week or so. Even better, hire a professional pool cleaning company to monitor the water levels, chemical balance, and system operation while you're away.
Let Us Help While You’re Gone
Taking a summer trip shouldn’t mean coming home to a pool full of problems. If you want peace of mind while you’re away, give Orchid Pools a call or text. We’ll keep your pool clean, balanced, and worry-free all summer long.
About Orchid Pools
At Orchid Pools, we provide reliable and professional pool service throughout Palm Beach County, Martin County, Saint Lucie County, and Indian River County. Our team proudly serves homeowners in Port Saint Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City, Port Salerno, Hobe Sound, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Tequesta, Jupiter, Jupiter Island, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Juno.
We also serve many neighborhoods across the Treasure Coast and South Florida, including White City, Indian River Estates, Lakewood Park, Sewall’s Point, Saint Lucie West, Tradition, Southbend Lakes, Riverland, Sandhill Crossing, Verano, Hutchinson Island South, and Ocean Breeze.
Orchid Pools offers a complete range of residential pool services, including:
Regular pool cleaning and chemical balancing
Filter cleaning and backwashing
Algae and shock treatments
Pool pump repair and replacement
Pool filter system and heater repairs
Pool leak detection and repair
Skimmer and return line repairs
Pool lighting repair
Pool resurfacing, pool replastering, and pool regrouting
Pool saltwater conversions and pool salt cell cleaning
Pool green-to-clean services
Professional pool inspections
For dependable, expert pool care, call Orchid Pools today.
