How to Take Care of Your Pool When Leaving for Vacation
Vacations are a time to relax, unwind, and escape the grind of everyday life for a while. But before you jet off to your dream destination, it’s crucial to ensure that everything at home is in tip-top shape – including your pool. In order to ensure that you’re returning to a refreshing oasis rather than a maintenance nightmare, we’ll walk you through the essential steps you should take in order to prepare your pool for your vacation, so you can dive into a worry-free getaway and come home to crystal-clear waters.
Pool Maintenance Checklist for Your Vacation
Just like the other infrastructure in your home, pools require regular maintenance in order to keep them in optimal condition for you to use whenever you want. But what happens when you leave town for days, weeks, or months at a time? Following these steps can help keep your pool safe and running smoothly while you’re gone.
Check Water Levels
Checking the water levels of your pool before leaving on vacation is a critical step in ensuring the long-term health and functionality of your pool. The water level of your pool directly impacts the overall balance of your pool’s chemistry, and inadequate water levels can cause the pumps to run dry, potentially damaging the equipment and leading to costly repairs. On the flip side of that, excessively high water levels can also result in overflows and damage to the areas surrounding the pool.
Proper water levels also play a pivotal role in maintaining the circulation and filtration systems, which are essential for keeping your pool water clean and safe. Neglecting this aspect before your vacation can lead to imbalances in water chemistry and create a breeding ground for algae and bacteria. By taking a few moments to check and adjust your pool’s water levels before leaving, you not only protect your investment but also ensure that you return from your vacation to a pool that’s ready for relaxation.
If you have a water auto-leveler, check to make sure it is working properly so you can rest assured that your pool water level will be maintained properly. If you do not have an auto-leveler and you plan to be away for some time, ask a friend or neighbor to check on the pool level and add water as needed.
Check on Your Pool Filter
Check your filter pressure and the health of your filter before you leave. The filter must be clean and in good running condition to maintain clear clean water in your pool while you’re away.
Check Pool Chemicals and “Shock” Your Pool
“Shocking” your pool’s chemicals before leaving on vacation is a crucial precautionary measure to maintain water clarity and hygiene during your absence. Pool water can quickly become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and algae if left untreated, especially in hot and sunny weather.
By adding pool shock treatment, you supercharge the chlorine levels temporarily, effectively eliminating contaminants and preventing the formation of these contaminants. This preemptive action ensures that your pool water remains crystal clear and safe while you’re away, reducing the post-vacation burden of dealing with murky water and extensive water re-balancing. Of course, maintaining water chemistry is all about balance, so be sure to balance all of your pool chemistry before leaving. You can also arrange for a “Vacation service” to be sure your water is always in balance while you are away.
Remove Debris
Debris buildup in pools only gets worse over time, so it’s best to leave your pool as clean as possible before heading out on your trip. Excessive leaves, twigs, grass, or other natural waste in your pool can strain or damage water filtration systems, which is a costly (and easily avoidable) repair job. Leaving a clear pool behind when you go on vacation can help ensure that the buildup of debris won’t get too bad while you’re gone.
If debris frequently gets into your pool, ask a friend or neighbor to help keep the skimmer and pump baskets empty to maintain circulation while you’re away. A vacation pool service can assist with this as well.
Keep Pumps and Filters Running
While it’s tempting to turn everything off while you’re gone to conserve energy, it’s important to keep your pool’s filtration system running so harmful bacteria, algae, and other contaminants are less likely to grow while you’re away. Stagnant water is also a big attractant for mosquitoes and other insects, so keeping the pumps running can help prevent a pest outbreak from occurring in your backyard.
Trust SPS PoolCare for All Your Vacation Pool Maintenance and Regular Pool Servicing Needs
If you feel overwhelmed by all of the work that goes into preparing your pool for vacation, the experts at SPS PoolCare are here to help! Whether it’s balancing the chemicals, checking in on filtration systems, or simply keeping your pool clean while you’re away, our dedicated pool technicians understand the unique demands of pool ownership and can provide you with vacation pool maintenance or regular pool services, so you can keep peace of mind. At SPS PoolCare, our goal is to make owning your pool a joy – contact one of our offices near you to ensure that your pool is taken care of and ready to use when you get home.
