Complete Guide to Preparing Your Pool for Summer in California

Summer in California means sunshine, heat, and, of course, countless hours relaxing by the pool. But before diving in, it’s essential to ensure your pool is ready for the season. Proper maintenance not only extends the life of your investment but also keeps the water safe and crystal clear for you and your family.

In this complete guide, we’ll help you prepare your pool for the California summer with practical and effective steps.

Give Your Pool a Thorough Cleaning

After a quieter winter season, it’s common for leaves, dust, and other debris to accumulate in your pool. Start by skimming the surface with a net and scrubbing the sides and bottom with the appropriate brush.

  • Pro tip: Use a brush designed for your pool material, such as vinyl or concrete, to prevent damage.

Test and Adjust Water Quality

The chemical balance of your pool water is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience. Use reliable test kits to check chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels.

Ideal levels:

  • pH: 7.2 to 7.6
  • Chlorine: 1 to 3 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm

If needed, add chemicals to adjust the levels. Keep in mind that California’s summer heat can accelerate evaporation and chlorine consumption, so monitor regularly.

Inspect and Clean Pool Equipment

Your pool equipment is responsible for keeping the water circulating and filtered, especially during hot days. Make sure everything is in working order:

  • Filter: Clean or replace cartridges and backwash sand or DE filters.
  • Pump: Check the motor and clear any obstructions.
  • Heater and additional systems: Test them to ensure they’re operating properly.

Control Algae Growth Before It Starts

California’s warm weather is ideal for algae growth, especially if your pool has been idle for months. After balancing the chemicals, consider adding a preventive algaecide to avoid stains and excessive growth.

  • Tip: Keep the filtration system running for at least 8 hours daily during the summer.

Review Pool Safety Features

Pools are a fantastic source of fun but also require safety precautions. Before summer, check the following:

  • Fences and gates: Ensure they’re functioning and compliant with local regulations.
  • Pool covers: Make sure they’re clean and in good condition.
  • Alarms and flotation devices: Verify their functionality to protect kids and pets.

Hire a Professional Pool Maintenance Service

While some tasks can be handled on your own, hiring a pool specialist can save you time and prevent future problems. Experienced professionals like the team at Jord’s Pools & Spa Services have the expertise and tools needed to get your pool spotless and ready for summer.

With California’s frequent droughts, it’s important to be mindful of water usage. Use pool covers to reduce evaporation and invest in energy-efficient equipment like variable-speed pumps.

Schedule a Full Inspection Before Your First Swim

Even after following these steps, a final inspection by professionals is crucial to catch any issues you might have missed.
At Jord’s Pools & Spa Services, we offer comprehensive inspection and maintenance services so you can enjoy your summer worry-free.

Preparing your pool for summer in California is essential to ensure fun and safety throughout the season. With this guide and the support of Jord’s Pools & Spa Services, you’ll have a pool ready to handle the heat of the Golden State.

Don’t wait! Contact us today to schedule your professional inspection or maintenance.