How to Keep Your Pool Crystal Clear During Alabama’s Hottest Month

July and August in Alabama mean long, sunny days, high humidity, and heavy pool usage. It’s also the time of year when pool water is most vulnerable to turning cloudy, green, or uninviting. If you want to keep your pool crystal clear during the hottest months of the year, here are a few key tips that make a big difference.

1. Test and Balance Your Water Frequently

Hot weather speeds up chemical reactions in your pool, which means chlorine burns off faster and your pH can swing wildly from day to day. During July and August, it’s best to test your pool water at least two to three times per week. Maintain the proper pH (7.4 to 7.6) and chlorine levels (1 to 3 ppm) to prevent bacteria and algae growth.

2. Shock the Pool Weekly

With more people swimming and temperatures soaring, your pool will accumulate more organic material like sweat, sunscreen, body oils, and more. These contaminants can overwhelm your chlorine. A weekly shock treatment helps break down these substances and keeps the water looking clear and fresh. Do it at night and let your pump run for at least 8 hours afterward.

3. Clean Out Debris Daily

Leaves, bugs, and grass clippings are common in Alabama backyards and easily make their way into your pool. Especially during hurricane season, it’s important to skim your pool daily and empty skimmer baskets. Leaving debris in your pool not only looks bad but also feeds algae and bacteria.

4. Run Your Pump Longer

Many pool owners in Foley, Gulf Shores, and surrounding areas underestimate how long their filter should run in the summer. During hot months like July and August, your pump should run 10 to 12 hours a day to ensure proper circulation and filtration. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for cloudiness and algae.

5. Brush and Vacuum Weekly

Algae and dirt can cling to pool walls, especially in areas with little circulation. Use a pool brush to scrub the walls, steps, and corners of your pool once a week. Follow it up with vacuuming to remove any loosened particles. Automatic cleaners help, but nothing replaces manual brushing and vacuuming when it comes to keeping water sparkling.

6. Check Your Pool Equipment

Filtration plays a major role in water clarity. Check your filter pressure weekly and backwash or clean the filter as needed. Make sure your pump is running efficiently and your skimmer baskets are free of clogs. Equipment that isn’t working properly can leave you with murky water fast.

7. Hire Alabama Poolworks to Handle Maintenance and Cleaning

If all of this sounds like a full-time job, that’s because during Alabama’s hottest months, it nearly is. Let the professionals at Alabama Poolworks take pool maintenance off your hands. From weekly cleanings and water testing to equipment checks and algae treatments, our team keeps your pool crystal clear all season long. Contact us today to schedule service in Foley, Fairhope, or your nearby neighborhood.