America’s Swimming Pool Co. Releases Heat Wave Handbook

America’s Swimming Pool Co. has released a Heat Wave Handbook to help homeowners manage pools during periods of extreme summer temperatures.

Prolonged heat can affect water chemistry, accelerate algae growth, increase maintenance requirements and place additional strain on pool equipment, according to the company. The guide provides maintenance recommendations intended to help homeowners keep pools clean, safe and operating efficiently during hot weather.

“Extreme heat can put added stress on pools and equipment in the summertime, making proper maintenance more important than ever,” says Jimmie Meece, brand president of America’s Swimming Pool Co. “That’s why partnering with a trusted pool professional like ASP can make all the difference. We hope our Heatwave Handbook will help homeowners feel at ease and allow them to enjoy a worry-free pool season.”

ASP says the handbook is designed to encourage proactive maintenance that can help prevent equipment issues and reduce the likelihood of costly repairs during peak swimming season.

For pool service professionals, the Heat Wave Handbook also provides a customer education tool. By sharing the guide with homeowners, servicers can help explain how extreme temperatures affect water chemistry and equipment performance while reinforcing the importance of regular maintenance during the hottest months of the year.

For more information, visit asppoolco.com.

ASP’s Heatwave Handbook: Six Ways to Keep Pools Safe and Swim-ready

• Increase pump runtime: Run your pump and filter at least 12 hours a day during heat waves. The constant circulation helps to stop “hot spots” and prevent stagnant water from turning green.
• Maintain water levels: On average, pools lose about an inch of water on hot days due to evaporation. Make sure you’re proactively replenishing water and keeping levels about halfway up the skimmer opening. This can help prevent your pump from burning out or becoming damaged.
• Routinely test and monitor water: Warm temperatures can quickly throw water chemistry out of balance and increase the likelihood of algae growth. If you’re having problems with algae or cloudy water, test your water regularly, monitor phosphate levels with a test kit and consider using a phosphate remover to help maintain water clarity.
• Protect chlorine levels: Increased sunlight can break down chlorine faster, decreasing its effectiveness against bacteria and algae. As a way to shield your chlorine and keep it active longer, maintain cyanuric acid levels between 30-50 ppm. Since chlorine is a corrosive chemical, it’s important to use it safely and according to the instructions. You may want to consider an automatic chlorine feeder for more consistent water treatment compared to a floating chlorinator, which only covers about six inches of the pool’s top water.
• Shock during or after a severe heat: Extreme heat requires weekly shocking. When a heat wave is on the horizon, stock up on your shock supply. Then add those treatments during cooler temperatures, after the sun goes down, to maximize effectiveness. Otherwise, they may burn off during the middle of the day.
• Establish and stick to a cleaning schedule: Weekly pool maintenance is ideal for maintaining cleanliness and the best water chemistry. This may include regular brushing, skimming and water testing to help prevent algae, bacteria and repairs.