Summer in Tampa Bay is no joke. With high heat, humidity, and almost daily afternoon thunderstorms, your backyard pool becomes both a sanctuary and a challenge. If you want to keep that crystal-clear water sparkling (and safe), you’ll need to give it some extra TLC during the warmer months. At Florida Pool Wizards, we change our treatments for residential pools across all seasons, but the most drastic changes occur in Summer.
Here are the Florida Pool Wizards guiding principles for cleaning and treating residential pools on a weekly basis.
1. Stay Ahead of Algae
Algae loves warm, stagnant water—and Tampa Bay summers create the perfect breeding ground. Daily sun mixed with frequent rain can throw your pool chemistry out of whack, so make prevention a priority.
Tips:
Use an algaecide weekly, especially after heavy rain.
Keep chlorine levels steady.
Brush your pool walls and floor weekly to break up any buildup.
2. Balance Is Everything
Rain can dilute your pool’s chemicals, especially chlorine, pH, and alkalinity. Test your water at least twice a week during the summer—or after any significant storm.
Ideal summer pool chemistry:
Chlorine: 1–3 ppm
pH: 7.4–7.6
Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm
Cyanuric Acid (stabilizer): 30–50 ppm
If you're not testing regularly, you're basically flying blind.
3. Shock Weekly
In hot climates like Tampa, bacteria and contaminants multiply faster. Add in sunscreen, sweat, and sunscreen-laced pool parties? You’ll want to shock your pool once a week to oxidize all that organic gunk.
4. Run the Filter Longer
You might get away with 6–8 hours in winter, but in summer? Aim for 10–12 hours a day. Circulation is your best friend—it keeps water moving and helps distribute chemicals evenly.
Clean your filter regularly too. A clogged filter means cloudy water and poor sanitation.
5. Keep Debris Out
With daily storms and breezy afternoons, leaves, bugs, and pollen will quickly collect in your pool.
Skim daily (or invest in an automatic skimmer).
Empty skimmer baskets frequently.
Consider a solar cover if your pool is near trees or gets a lot of pollen.
6. Watch for Evaporation & Top-Off Carefully
High temps = higher evaporation. But topping off with hose water can alter your pool chemistry. Always test after topping off, and adjust chemicals accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Treating a pool in Tampa Bay during summer takes a lot more work and expertise. With the right maintenance routine, your pool will stay safe, clear, and ready for every splash and sunset.
Sometimes, it’s best to let a local expert handle it. The Florida Pool Wizards understand the unique regional challenges and specialize in residential weekly pool cleanings, Green to Clean pools, equipment checks, and regular maintenance plans.
Don’t let cloudy water, algae, or chemical imbalances ruin your pool. Take the stress out of pool care with expert maintenance from Florida Pool Wizards.
👉 Contact Florida Pool Wizards today to keep your pool in perfect shape.
