Ways to Protect Your Pool During Extreme Kansas Heat
When summer turns up the heat in Wichita, your swimming pool feels it too. It’s important to protect your pool during extreme heat in Kansas.
Long stretches of sunshine and temperatures in the 90s and 100s don’t just make you want to spend more time in the water. They can also make your pool harder to maintain. Chlorine disappears faster. Water evaporates. Algae gets an opportunity to grow. And your pool equipment has to work harder to keep everything clean and clear.
The good news? A little extra attention can prevent most hot-weather pool problems.
Here are five things you should watch when Kansas temperatures soar.
#1: Check Your Chlorine More Often
If you normally test your pool once a week, extreme heat isn’t the time to stick with that schedule.
Heat and intense sunlight can increase chlorine demand. Add more swimmers, sunscreen, sweat, grass, dirt, and other contaminants, and your sanitizer has even more work to do.
During periods of 90-degree-plus weather, check your sanitizer level between your normal water-care days. Don’t assume the chlorine you added earlier in the week will carry your pool through several scorching days.
In addition, maintain your chlorine level at 2-4ppm or higher during the heat. If you don’t, you’ll end up with cloudy water, algae, or a green pool.
Finally, keep your pH in the right range. Your chlorine, in both traditional and salt pools, is most effective when your pH is between 7.2 and 7.4.
Not sure what’s happening with your water? Bring a sample to Ultra Modern. We can test it and help you figure out exactly what your pool needs.
#2: Give Your Pool Enough Circulation
Your pump keeps water moving through your pool and filtration system. When temperatures climb, good circulation becomes even more important.
Make sure you’re running your pump long enough to effectively circulate and filter the water. Ultra Modern generally recommends running your filter eight to 12 hours per day, although your particular pool and equipment may require a different schedule.
Have a variable-speed pump? Your ideal runtime may vary depending on the speeds you use.
Pay attention to your pool. If water clarity starts changing during a heat wave, don’t wait several days to investigate.
#3: Keep Your Filter and Baskets Clean
Your circulation system can’t do its job efficiently when debris gets in the way.
Check your skimmer baskets and pump basket regularly. Empty leaves, bugs, and other debris before they restrict water flow. You should also keep an eye on your filter and clean or backwash it as needed.
Summer storms can dump an incredible amount of debris into a Wichita pool in a matter of minutes. Check everything after a storm, rather than waiting until your regular maintenance day.
Good water flow makes every other part of pool care easier.
#4: Don’t Forget to Brush
Your automatic pool cleaner may do a great job, but don’t put the pool brush away.
Algae loves areas with poor circulation. Steps, corners, ladders, benches, and other tucked-away spots can become trouble zones, particularly during hot weather.
Brush these areas regularly to loosen buildup and help your sanitizer reach places where water doesn’t circulate as effectively.
It doesn’t take long, and it may save you from dealing with a green pool later.
#5: Watch Your Water Level
Notice your pool level dropping faster than usual?
You’re probably not imagining it.
Hot temperatures, sunshine, wind, and low humidity can accelerate evaporation. Add frequent swimming and splashing, and you may need to add water more often.
Keep your pool at the proper water level so your skimmer and circulation system can work correctly. A pool cover can also help reduce evaporation when you aren’t using the pool.
If you’re adding an unusual amount of water, however, don’t automatically blame the Kansas heat. A significant or persistent drop could indicate a leak.
#6: Cool Down the Pool Water
Sometimes the problem isn’t keeping your pool clear. It’s keeping it cool enough to enjoy.
After days of intense Kansas sunshine and temperatures in the 90s and 100s, pool water can start to feel more like bath water. Fortunately, you have several ways to lower the temperature.
For a more powerful solution, consider the Raypak Crosswind 65 MBTUH Inverter Heat/Cool. Unlike a traditional pool heater, the Crosswind can both heat and cool your water. Its inverter technology automatically adjusts to help maintain the temperature you choose. That means you can warm up the pool during cooler weather and cool it down when Wichita temperatures soar.
Want a simple option? Add a fountain.
The Floating Blossom Tier Fountain adds moving water to your pool while helping to cool it. The Pool & Spa Waterfall Fountain offers another easy option and works with most above-ground and in-ground pools.
Why do fountains help? They spray pool water into the air, which encourages evaporation and releases some of the water’s heat. For even better results, run your fountain at night when the air temperature drops.
Plus, fountains add movement and sound to your backyard. So while they’re helping cool the water, they’re also making your pool a little more fun to enjoy.
Want more tips on how to keep your pool cool? Check out this blog post >
A Little Extra Attention Goes a Long Way
Your pool works harder during the hottest part of summer, so give it a little extra attention.
Check your chlorine. Keep the water circulating. Clean your baskets and filter. Brush those easy-to-miss areas. And keep an eye on the water level.
Most importantly, don’t wait until your sparkling blue water starts looking green to take action.
Need help keeping your pool clear during the Kansas heat? Bring a water sample to your nearest Ultra Modern Pool & Patio location. We’ll test your water and help you get back to enjoying your pool.
