Weather impacts on your swimming pool water

One of the major factors that impact your swimming pool is the weather outside. From week to week and even day to day, changing temperatures, rainfall, and sun exposure can all impact the way your swimming pool functions and what it needs. By understanding a bit more about how weather impacts your swimming pool water, you’ll be able to adjust your maintenance approach to ensure the weather doesn’t negatively impact your pool. 

The impact of rain on your swimming pool 

Rainy days can be depressing when you have a swimming pool. It keeps the family indoors and makes the pool much less attractive. But, rain can also have a lasting impact on your swimming pool for days after it falls. Light rain is usually not a big problem for the pool. But, when heavy rain falls, you’ll notice an impact on your swimming pool if you don’t adjust your routine. 

Rain that is excessive can impact your pool by raising your water line and preventing your skimmer and filter from working correctly. You can learn more about maintaining a correct water line for your pool here. 

Heavy rain can cause dilution of your pool water chemicals, making them less effective and making your pool more prone to clouding, bacterial invasions, and algae. In extreme situations, heavy rain can also cause flooding around your pool – something that can cause extensive damage to your yard and swimming pool structure. 

If heavy rain is predicted in the weather forecast or happening outside, you should be ready to jump into action, lower your water level, and treat your pool as needed once the storm has passed. 

The impact of sunny days on your swimming pool 

The best days of the summer are ones that are bright, clear and hot. But, when your swimming pool spends the day under the sun, it can cause problems with your pool water. A lot of UV exposure can make the chlorine in your swimming pool water begin to break down. This can lower your chlorine levels significantly. 

With warm water sitting in your pool overnight, this makes your pool much more susceptible to algae and bacterial growth. During the sunniest days of the summer, you’ll need to keep an eye on your chlorine levels to make sure you keep them between 1 and 3 parts per million at all times. 

During the sunniest points of the year, we also recommend that you try to add your chlorine during the evening hours. Adding your chlorine at night will give it a chance to circulate and sanitize your water before the sun comes up to burn it off. 

How high temperatures impact your swimming pool 

Beyond rain and sun, the ambient temperature outside also impacts your swimming pool chemistry. Warm water can make your swimming pool much more comfortable for algae and bacteria. When the temperature has been high for a few weeks, you’ll want to be sure to treat with algaecide and to shock your pool much more frequently. 

How low temperatures impact your swimming pool

On the other hand, temperatures that are too low can also cause a problem with your swimming pool chemistry. Not only is cold water uncomfortable, but it can also have a serious impact on your pH levels. If you’ve been struggling with your pH levels being out of control or are struggling to eliminate algae, evaluate how the temperature might be impacting your pool. With some practice and research, you’ll be able to stay ahead of the weather and adjust your swimming pool as needed.  

Planning ahead when the weather changes

Many swimming pool owners respond to problems caused by the weather as they begin to develop. Responding to problems as they emerge makes it more difficult to resolve them. The best way to maintain your pool is to handle issues before they cause you stress, and understanding the weather allows you to do this. 

If you have an understanding of how the weather will impact your swimming pool water, you will be better able to act in advance to prevent problems, and adjust your maintenance schedule as needed. After a few summers of maintenance and learning how weather impacts your pool, you’ll be able to make mental adjustments to your routine to handle changing weather and temperatures.