The safest way to leave a pool for an Arizona summer is to keep it running and have someone check it every week. A pool that sits alone from May to October, with nobody adding chlorine or cleaning the filter, will almost always turn green, and the equipment can fail without anyone noticing.
If you spend summers out of state, here's how to set up your pool so you come back to clear water.
Why you shouldn't just turn it off
Some seasonal residents assume they can shut the pump off and drain or cover the pool. In Arizona, that usually backfires.
- Algae grows fast in still, warm water. Without circulation and chlorine, a pool can go green within a week or two in summer.
- Draining is risky. An empty pool's plaster is exposed to sun and heat, and in some situations groundwater pressure can damage the shell. Draining should only be done by a pro, for a reason like resurfacing.
- Evaporation keeps going. An Arizona pool can lose a lot of water over a summer. If the level drops below the skimmer, the pump can run dry and burn out.
- Monsoon storms need a cleanup. Dust and debris from July through September will clog the baskets and filter.
What to do before you leave
- Schedule weekly service through the summer. This is the single most important step. Ask for photos or a short report after each visit.
- Have the equipment checked. A pump making noise or a filter that's overdue for a clean should be dealt with before you go.
- Clean the filter. Start the season with a clean filter so it has room for summer dust.
- Balance the water. Get chlorine, pH and stabilizer into range so the pool starts in good shape.
- Set the timer for summer. Pools need more run time in the heat. Make sure the schedule is long enough for July, not April.
- Consider an automatic fill valve. It tops off evaporation on its own. Have it checked so it doesn't stick open and overflow.
- Leave access instructions. Gate codes, lock combinations and a contact number for anything urgent.
- Tell your HOA or a neighbor. Someone nearby who can call your pro if they notice something wrong is useful.
Should you use a cover?
A solar cover slows evaporation and keeps out some debris, but it isn't a substitute for service. Under a cover, chlorine still has to be maintained, and covers can trap heat and encourage algae if circulation and sanitizer slip. If you use one, make sure your pro is comfortable removing and replacing it.
Salt pools while you're away
A salt system makes chlorine automatically, which helps, but it isn't hands-off. In summer the cell may need to be turned up to keep pace with the heat, pH will drift upward, and in hard water the cell can scale and stop producing chlorine. A weekly visit catches all of that.
What a summer service visit should include
- Skimming, brushing and vacuuming
- Emptying skimmer and pump baskets
- Testing and balancing the water
- Checking the water level and topping off if needed
- Making sure the pump, filter and timer are working
- A report or photo for you
After big monsoon storms, it's worth asking for an extra check, since a power outage can reset the timer and a dust storm can clog the filter in a single night.
Questions to ask a summer service company
- Will the same tech visit every week, on a set day?
- Do you send a photo or report after each visit?
- What happens if the pump stops or something breaks while I'm away? Will you call me before doing a repair?
- How do you handle the pool after a monsoon storm?
- Are chemicals included in the monthly price?
- Can you meet a repair tech or handle a warranty claim for me if needed?
Agree on a repair limit up front, an amount the pro can spend without calling you, so a small fix doesn't wait for a phone tag across time zones.
Coming back in the fall
Ask your pro to give the pool a thorough clean and filter service just before you return. If the pool did slip while you were away, a green cleanup usually takes three to five days, so schedule it a week before your arrival date. Once you're back, have the pump schedule turned down for fall, since the pool won't need as many run hours as it did in July, and you'll save on electricity.
Set up summer service
If you have a home in Mesa, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon or Gilbert and spend summers elsewhere, a local pro can take care of the pool while you're gone. Send a request below or call (480) 788-5344.