How to Maintain Your Outdoor Swimming Pool During Summer

Ariela Shick
Jun 20
2 min read

Summer is pool season at its peak—long days, warm nights, and plenty of time spent in the water. But to keep your pool clean, safe, and running smoothly, regular maintenance is a must. Whether you're swimming daily or just on weekends, here’s a simple guide to summer pool maintenance that will help extend the life of your pool and keep it looking its best.

1. Stay On Top of Water Chemistry

Balanced water chemistry isn’t just about looks—it’s key for keeping swimmers safe and protecting your pool materials.

Check levels at least twice a week, including:

Chlorine (or sanitizer of choice)
pH (ideal: 7.4–7.6)
Alkalinity (80–120 ppm)
Calcium hardness (200–400 ppm)

You can test your water using home kits or have it professionally tested. Imbalanced water can lead to algae growth, cloudy water, or damage to your tile, paint, and equipment.

2. Clean Your Pool Weekly (Or More)

Even with a cover, your pool will collect debris from wind, trees, and swimmers.

Basic weekly tasks:

Skim leaves and debris off the surface
Brush walls and waterlines to prevent algae
Vacuum the floor or run your robotic cleaner
Backwash the filter as needed

A clean pool means better circulation, clearer water, and less strain on your equipment.

3. Keep an Eye on Water Levels

With kids jumping in and hot sun overhead, your pool will lose water through evaporation and splash-out.

Maintain proper water levels—typically halfway up the skimmer opening—to keep the circulation system working properly.

If water drops too low, your pump could run dry. If it’s too high, the skimmer won’t work efficiently.

4. Inspect Pool Surfaces for Damage

Summer is the perfect time to check your:

Tile lines for missing or cracked pieces
Coping stones for looseness or shifting
Decking for signs of wear or slipping hazards
Painted surfaces for fading or bubbling

Catching small issues now can prevent costly repairs later. If your pool surface is looking tired, we offer tile renovations, marbelite repairs, coping replacement, and more.

5. Run the Pump Daily

A good rule of thumb is to run your pump for 1 hour per 10°F of outdoor temperature. So on a 30°C day, run it about 12 hours.

Proper circulation:

Distributes chemicals evenly
Filters out contaminants
Prevents algae from settling

If your pump or filter is noisy or inconsistent, it might be time for maintenance—or a full replacement.

Enjoy a Stress-Free Summer with the Right Maintenance

A sparkling pool doesn’t have to be high-maintenance—it just needs regular attention. With consistent care, your pool will stay swim-ready all summer long, and you'll extend its life for many seasons to come.

Need Help With Pool Repairs or Maintenance?

At Eterno Pools, we serve Vaughan, Toronto, Richmond Hill, and beyond—helping homeowners with everything from weekly upkeep to full backyard renovations.