Keeping your swimming pool clean is crucial and it is easy to keep it clean during the Summer. However, with summer approaching you may be about to head out of the town for a few days or even for an entire week. One thing you should keep in mind is that the water doesn’t turn green and become algae infested while you are enjoying your getaway.

Prepare your pool before you travel

Before you leave on vacation, the most crucial thing is to shock the water at the pool and add chlorine tablets to the chlorinator while having your pump connected to the timer for daily filtration.

Remember to vacuum the pool floor, clean the filters and empty all the skimmer baskets. It is also advisable to top the water off in case of evaporation.

Completing these steps will help you make sure to keep any algae from developing while you are away. If you are likely to be gone for more than a week, it is better to double shock your pool and add a few extra chlorine tablets.

All you have to do is give it a double dosage of shock and it will get your chlorine levels to a stronger level by reducing the chances of algae.

It is also good to have a family member, friend, or neighbor check on it or add additional chlorine if you are gone for more than seven days.

Tips to prepare your pool

Here are a few tips that can help you to prepare your pool while traveling:

Keep the pump running

Before you leave, you must keep the pump operating. It is the only way to keep your pool from deteriorating when not in use. If you have a timer, it is also one good way to achieve this so that the pump is not on for 24 hours a day. You can set the timer to run the pump a minimum of 8 hours per day so that it is easy to filter an entire volume of water once daily.

Perform the weekly maintenance

It is crucial to perform the weekly maintenance. These include:

• Balance the swimming pool alkalinity and pH levels
• Top off the water level
• Add chlorine tablets to the chlorinator
• Shock the water of swimming pool
• Clean and check filters.
• Empty the skimmer basket
• Skim the surface of the pool with a net

Vacuum the swimming pool

While away debris and dirt are likely to enter your pool’s water. Unexpected storms with strong winds may cause leaves to begin floating on top of the water and will eventually sink to the bottom.

Also a bugs or other foreign debris will collect and vacuuming the surface before you leave will make the pool look more welcoming when you return from your trip.

Check filters

If required, you must check the pressure on diatomaceous earth (DE) and sand filters and backwash them. You should also spray, clean, and inspect the cartridge filters.

If you fail to check the filters, it may result in less pressure being filtered through your system, not giving it the full cleaning power your pool deserves.

Shock the pool

It would help if you gave your pool water shocks once a week. However, if you have done even a few days before you leave then you can shock it again once you get back. Water shocks are crucial as it helps to keep all the bacteria and algae from developing while you are away.

Unexpected rain may lead to a dilution in the chlorine while and it is an excellent preventative measure to battle rain showers in advance.

Add chlorine tablets

If chlorine tablets are your primary sanitation method, you can fill up your chlorinator for a week’s supply or enough for the trip duration.

It is better to have your water over-chlorinated to avoid algae development.

Top off water

If the water level is below the fill line it is usually a good idea to place a water hose at the top of the pool and top it off. However, evaporation occurs daily, and there’s a possibility of miniature leaks that may occur. So, it is best to keep the water in full when you are aware that it won’t be attended to for a while.

Conclusion

Each pool is slightly different and you must consider exact maintenance based on the pool style. If you have a saltwater system, make sure to clean all the cells, it works properly and is set to the proper chlorination settings.

If you add algaecide, clarifier, invisible shield, or any other chemical it would be a good time to add those products as well before you head out.

You can always contact professionals in case you run into any trouble.