If you’re planning a holiday or need to leave your pool unattended for more than a couple of days and you’re wondering what to do about maintaining your pool read on! We are regularly asked what you should do about leaving your swimming pool whilst away on holiday. It can be soul-destroying coming home to a pool that looked awesome when you left but upon return looks like a swamp. There are a few steps you need to take to have a good chance to return to a beautiful pool and not a pond.
Pre-departure Pool Maintenance
Have a full water test completed and make any necessary adjustments to your water balance before you leave. It is also a good time to give the pool water a shock dose of chlorine. If you use chlorine tablets or sticks, fill up your chlorinator or floater just before you leave. If you have an automatic dispenser that doses liquid chlorine and/or liquid acid, ensure your containers are full and if necessary spare containers of chemicals are available for topping up.
The addition of an algaecide is recommended to further reduce the risk of a nasty green pool. Algaecides work in conjunction with chlorine to keep the pool clear of algae.
Filtration is essential. You should avoid turning your filter system off while you are away. The filter system should run a minimum of 8 hours every day during summer and a couple of hours a day during winter. If you don’t already have one, we recommend using an automatic timer to run your system. It is also okay to let your filter system run 24 hours per day and many people do.
Ensure the pool is filled up with plenty of water. If the water level drops down too far the pump may run without water – this is called running dry. A pump that runs dry for an extended period of time is in danger of overheating and ‘cooking’ itself. Running dry is a disaster for a pump and should be avoided at all costs. If you don’t have an automatic water leveller you can attach a portable water leveller that connects to a garden hose and tops up the pool when needed. We stock the Aqua Level portable water leveller and find it simple to use and install.
Ask Someone To Maintain Your Pool
Inviting a neighbour or friend to use and keep an eye on your pool in your absence is ideal. They can check your water level, empty the skimmer basket, check the filter pressure and generally keep an eye on the equipment and the water. Leave your friend or neighbour written instructions so they can refer to them in your absence. Include our phone number and address so they know who to contact if there are problems.
Professional pool maintenance
We provide two options for holiday pool maintenance services. Please contact us if you would like to discuss booking us in to look after your pool while you are on holiday.
Go and have fun
Now you know what to do about maintaining your pool while you are away. Have a great trip and be sure to relax knowing that your pool care is sorted.
