How you prepare your pool for vacation depends on the type of pool and filtration system and how long you will be on vacation.
Before you leave home prepare your pool for vacation by cleaning the pool, balancing the chemistry, shocking the water and installing a pool cover. Leave the filtration system on and when you come home you will be greeted with a clean, sparkling pool ready for your family to enjoy.
Table of Contents
How to Prepare Your Pool for Vacation
Clean the Pool
Start by brushing the walls to remove dirt and scale. Allow the dirt to sink to the bottom. Skim the surface with a net. Vacuum the whole pool with a manual pool vacuum cleaner. Ensure you clean the corners and steps to remove all dirt and debris.
Please read our article on How to Clean a Swimming Pool
Check the water level
Adjust the water level to the midway position on the skimmer box flap. If you expect rain while you are away you may wish to lower the water level by an inch as the pool water level may rise. If you expect hot weather while you are away you may wish to increase the water level by an inch to compensate for evaporation.
Clean the Skimmer Basket
Ensure the skimmer basket is clean before you leave.
Clean the filter
Cleaning the filter cartridge or backwashing a sand filter will give your pool a head start while you are away. The filter should stay clean while you are away. If you’re away for more than a few months you may need someone to clean the filter while you are away.
Test your water
Use your test strips to test all chemical indicators and balance the pool water as required.
Please read our article on How to Balance Swimming Pool Water
Shock the Pool Water
Add pool shock to the water to super-chlorinate the water. This will kill all bacteria and contaminants and ensure your pool stays clean for at least one or two weeks.
Please read our article on How to Shock Treatment Your Swimming Pool
Add Algaecide to the Pool Water
Algaecide is easy to add to pool water to give extra protection against algae spores growing in the water. I don’t normally recommend adding algaecide to a swimming pool that is adequately sanitized with chlorine. However, if something goes wrong with your pool chemistry while you are away the algaecide will help prevent algae taking hold in the pool.
Never add algaecide and shock at the same time. Ensure that they’re used a day or two apart as they may react adversely together.
Keep the pump and filter operating while you are away
All pumps have an automatic timer to keep the pump running. Set the timer to ensure the pump operates every day for at least 6 to 8 hours while you are away. Turn off the pool heater as it will only be a waste of energy.
Check the saltwater chlorinator is producing chlorine
The chlorinator must be generating chlorine every day to kill bacteria and prevent algae growth.
Install a Pool Cover
Installing a pool cover is the easiest way to prepare your pool for vacation and ensure the pool stays clean and is protected from the weather.
Vacation for more than one or two months
Hire a pool company or have a friend look after your pool
This may only be necessary after one month on vacation. Maybe you have a neighbor that has a pool and can drop by to check on your pool once a week. There is no point asking someone who knows nothing about pools to check your pool.
Maybe you should hire a mobile pool service to service your pool once a week. There may be little to do but at least you have peace of mind while you are on vacation.
Winterize your pool
If you plan to away for a long time or simply won’t be using the pool for the rest of the season or year you should consider closing the pool.
Please read our article on How Prepare Your Pool for the Winter
Can I leave my pool pump off while on vacation?
No. You’re pool filtration system must be left on all the time including during vacation. Otherwise when you return your pool will be filthy and full of algae.
All filtration systems have a timer to control the pump motor. The filter must operate at least 8 hours a day for most filtration systems to adequately clean the pool water. Although you can reduce the filtering time during the winter to 6 hours.
How long can you leave the pool filter off?
When a swimming pool is adequately sanitized with chlorine you can get away with leaving the filter off for a few days. However, after a few days the chlorine level will dissipate and the pool water will become exposed to bacteria, algae and other contaminants.
One of the most important aspects to keeping the pool water clean is circulation. When the pump is switched off the pool water becomes stagnant. Stagnant water attracts insects, frog and other wildlife which will lay eggs in your pool. Algae spores can grow and take over a stagnant pool in a very short period of time.
The pump must operate every day to keep the water circulating, filtered and chlorinated (if you have a salt water pool). If you don’t have a saltwater pool you must have an automatic chlorine dispenser to maintain adequate chlorine levels.
Salt water pool maintenance while on vacation
Salt water swimming pools are very easy to maintain. When the pump is running the saltwater chlorinator is generating chlorine (from the salt) to sanitize the pool water. The chlorinator is always installed after the filter so that clean, filtered water passes through the chlorinator. The chlorinator cell produces free chlorine into the water before it is pumped back into the pool.
When you have a saltwater pool there is nothing to worry about on vacation. Leave the pool filtration system running on its timer as normal and you will come home to a sparkling clean pool.
What to do with above ground pool when on vacation
If you have a large above ground pool the procedure is the same as with an in-ground pool. Leave the filtration system running and prepare your pool for vacation using the guidelines above.
If you have a small above ground pool and you are going on a long holiday you may consider emptying the pool and covering it.
How to keep your pool clean when on vacation
You’re going on vacation and you want to ensure that on your return the swimming pool has not transformed into a swamp.
Here’s what you need to do to keep your pool clean and clear while you’re away.
Invest in an Automatic Pool Cleaner
An automatic pool cleaner that is operated by the pump’s suction can be left in the pool while you are away. The suction cleaner will clean the pool every time the pump is activated.
Cover your Pool when on vacation
Unless you have someone looking after your pool while you are away it’s always advisable to cover your pool to keep it clean.
Convert your Pool to Saltwater Chlorination
Saltwater chlorinators are low maintenance devices designed to operate for extended periods of time. This is perfect for maintaining a pool while you are on vacation.
Saltwater pools have pool salt dissolved in the water. The concentration of salt is 3000 to 7000 mg/l (ppm) for a saltwater pool which is only about 10 to 15% of the salt found in seawater (35,000 ppm). The concentration of salt in a pool is about equal to the salinity of the tears in your eyes.
A saltwater chlorinator unit is a clear electrolytic cell where a very low voltage but high electric current is passed through the saline water to produce chlorine. The free chlorine immediately binds and destroys algae, bacteria, viruses and other contaminants. Then the chlorine reverts back to dissolved salt completing the cycle. The destroyed contaminants are trapped in the filter making your pool water safe, clean and clear.
Automate the Filtration System
Upgrade your filtration system to a digital timer where you can accurately program when you want you pump to operate. The digital technology can be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi giving you full control of the filter from any internet connection. You can check your swimming pool system from your phone anywhere in the world.
Should I leave my pool pump on while on vacation?
Yes, you must always leave the pool pump operating to adequately sanitize and filter your pool. Pool filtration systems are low maintenance so don’t worry about leaving it on while you’re not home.
Conclusion
Going on vacation should be a wonderful experience not one where you worry about your swimming pool back home.
By following our guidelines above you should arrive home to a perfectly clean and sanitized pool ready for your family to enjoy.