Pool Care Before, During, and After a Pool Party

Having a swimming pool party soon? If so, knowing how to manage the pool care before and after a extraordinary number of swimmers have used the pool will mean the difference between a post-party pool that is crystal clear and a cloudy pool on it's way to a full blown algae bloom.

Before the Pool Party - to insure swimmer comfort, a few days before the party test the pool chemistry to make sure the pH is between 7.2 and 7.8 and that the chlorine reading is between 3 - 5 ppm. If any major adjustments are needed, you don't want to be making them to close to party day. If the pool water is not crystal clear, it may be necessary to shock the pool. Next, check your main pool filter cleaning records to make sure the filter is clean. Clean out the skimmer basket and the pump strainer basket, the pool cleaner bag, and any other filters involved in your pool system. Turn on the pool pump and make sure there is good water circulation and all the equipment is running in good order. The day before the party, brush the pool thoroughly and clean all the baskets one more time, then run the filter for an extra few hours. The day of the party, remove the pool cleaner from the pool, get the pool toys out and it is Party Time!

During the Pool Party - for the benefit of swimmer safety, it is recommended that the main pool filter remain OFF while swimmers are in the pool. An exception might be any water feature such as a waterfall that may add to the swimming experience.

After the Pool Party - any time a lot of swimmers for an extended period of time, it is safe to say all the chlorine will be used up when the party is over. After ALL swimmers are out of the pool and there will not be any more swimming for the day, there are several things you can do to help the swimming pool recover quickly. First, remove all the pool toys from the pool making sure to check that no toys found their way into the skimmer where they might interfere with the pool pump water flow. Replace the pool cleaner back into the pool. Turn on the pool filter and shock the pool. For the average size pool, a couple pounds of shock will do the trick. Run the filter for 4 - 8 hours with the pool cleaner on and the pool should be sparkling clear and back to normal at the end of the filter run.

The ultimate reward in owning a pool is having a pool party where we can watch our friends and family enjoy a hot, summer day cooling off in the biggest investment we have made in our home. But having that pool party without preparation and follow up pool care can quickly lead to pool problems that can last for weeks. Following these simple pool maintenance tips can help avoid the potential problems that will surely follow that big pool party.