With the arrival of warmer weather, it’s also time to get your pool ready for summer and make sure the water is clean, safe and ready to enjoy. After months of reduced use or even winter storage, it’s common to encounter problems such as cloudy water, built-up dirt, chemical imbalances or the presence of algae.
Proper maintenance not only improves the appearance of your pool, but also helps to optimise the performance of the filter system, reduce chemical usage and prevent breakdowns. In this guide, we explain how to prepare your pool for summer step by step, which products to use and the most common mistakes to avoid.
Why it’s important to prepare your swimming pool before summer
Getting your pool ready for summer is essential to ensure good water quality and avoid problems during the swimming season. A poorly maintained pool can lead to:
- Green or cloudy water
- Algae and bacterial blooms
- Unpleasant odours
- Skin and eye irritation
- Increased use of chlorine and chemical water conditioners
- Clogging of the filtration system
What’s more, taking preventive action saves time and money on maintenance in the long run.
How to get your swimming pool ready for summer, step by step
Check the general condition of the swimming pool
Before starting any treatment, it is advisable to inspect the entire installation:
- Condition of the glass and coating
- Water level
- How the treatment plant works
- Filter and skimmers
- Pumps and valves
- Ladders and accessories
If a cover was used during the winter, it is advisable to clean it and store it properly before removing it completely.
Clean the bottom and sides of the pool
One of the first steps in getting a swimming pool ready for summer is to remove all the accumulated dirt.
What you need to clean:
- Leaves and insects
- Sediment and sand
- Stains on walls
- Waterline
- Organic waste
To do this, you can use:
- Specialised pool brushes
- Leaf rake
- Manual or automatic pool cleaner
- Edge degreasing products
A thorough clean makes the subsequent chemical treatment much more effective.
Check and adjust the water levels
Chemical balance is key to keeping the water crystal-clear and preventing health issues.
Recommended settings
| Parameter | Ideal level |
|---|---|
| pH | 7,2 – 7,6 |
| Free chlorine | 1 – 3 ppm |
| Alkalinity | 80 – 120 ppm |
| Stabiliser | 30 – 50 ppm |
Before adding disinfectants, it is important to adjust the pH. If the water is out of balance, the chlorine loses its effectiveness and irritation or limescale deposits may occur.
Undergo an intensive treatment
Shock treatment involves adding a high dose of disinfectant to eliminate microorganisms, bacteria and any algae present in the water.
It is usually carried out using:
- Quick-acting chlorine or shock treatment
- Active oxygen
- Multifunctional treatments
This process is particularly important if the pool has been closed for several months.
Recomendaciones importantes
- Realiza el tratamiento al atardecer
- Mantén la filtración funcionando varias horas
- Espera el tiempo recomendado antes del baño
Revisar el sistema de filtración
The filter system is at the heart of pool maintenance. If the filtration system isn’t working properly, the water won’t stay clean, even if you use high-quality chemicals.
What to check
- Filter status: checks whether the sand, glass or cartridge filter needs cleaning or replacing.
- System pressure: high pressure may indicate saturation or a build-up of dirt.
- Filtration time: in summer, it is recommended to filter for between 6 and 8 hours a day, depending on the size of the pool and the outside temperature.
Recommended products for getting your pool ready for summer
There are various products available to help keep the water balanced and clear throughout the season.
- Chlorine for swimming pools: it is the most commonly used disinfectant for eliminating bacteria and microorganisms.
- Anti-algae: prevents algae from forming on the walls and bottom.
- Flocculants and clarifiers: these help to aggregate microscopic particles so that they can be more easily removed by the filter.
- pH regulators: they keep the water level within the correct range.
- Multi-purpose treatments: combine disinfection, anti-algae action and water clarification in a single product.
Common mistakes when preparing a swimming pool for the summer
- Completely emptying the pool: in most cases, it is not necessary to empty it completely. This can damage the lining and increase water consumption.
- Ignore the filter: many problems with cloudy water are caused by poor filtration.
- Adding products without testing the water: adding chlorine or water conditioners without testing the water can make the problem worse.
- Waiting for algae to appear: prevention is always easier and cheaper than treating a green pool.
When to start preparing your swimming pool for the summer
Ideally, you should carry out the spring maintenance when temperatures start to rise, usually in the spring. Doing this early on prevents algae from spreading and makes it easier to restore the water to its best condition with less effort.
If the water temperature exceeds 15 °C and the pool has not yet been treated, it is advisable to take action as soon as possible to avoid complications.
Now that you know how to prepare your pool for summer, you can enjoy a clean, safe pool that’s ready for swimming from day one. A thorough clean, the right chemical balance and an efficient filtration system are essential for keeping the water crystal-clear throughout the season.
