Pool Maintenance Tips

The recent hot temperatures are causing some problems for pool owners with algae being the main concern.

Talia Habeck of Design Pool & Spa in Fairport says the only way to treat algae is with chemicals.

"You don't vacuum up algae since it's a living organism. If you just vacuum it up, it really just takes it from one place to another, and it doesn't actually get rid of it for you," said Habeck.

Another mistake pool owners make is using the solar cover during the day. Habeck says this can lead to a variety of chemical problems and algae.

"The solar cover is really designed to be put on at night to keep the heat from leaving the pool through things like evaporation and if it's warmer out at night, then it is even for the temperature of your pool, the solar cover isn't going to do much for you anyway," said Habeck.

Habeck says it's important to brush your pool on a regular basis whether or not you have algae. Although the pool may look clear, it doesn't mean everything is okay.

That's why water test strips are the best way to make sure your water chemistry is balanced.

"With all this extra heat we are getting, people are using the pool a lot more frequently, kids especially, and extra shocks a lot of times are needed to get more chlorine in the pool," said Habeck.

With the recent weather, Habeck says if you can financially circulate your water twenty four hours a day, you will save yourself problems in the future.