8 Tips for Pool Maintenance While You're Away

Summer holidays are a time to relax, explore, and create lasting memories. However, amidst the excitement of travel, it's essential to ensure that your home, especially your swimming pool, is properly maintained in your absence. Neglecting pool care can lead to algae growth, water imbalances, and equipment issues – not to mention the dreaded GREEN pool! But don’t worry! Here are some valuable tips to help you maintain your swimming pool while you soak up the sun on your holiday.

1. Balance the Water Before You Leave:

A few days before your departure, check your pool's pH, alkalinity, and sanitiser levels. A well-balanced pool is less likely to develop problems in your absence. Adjust the chemicals as needed to ensure the water remains pristine. Your Dolphin robotic pool cleaner will work most effectively in properly balanced water. Contact your local Elite Dealer for a full pool water test and recommendations on which chemicals your pool needs. Installing the Maytronics Mineral Swim System will make it much easier to maintain a correctly balanced pool, allowing you to worry less about chemical levels as it naturally sanitises the pool water and requires up to 80% less chlorine to keep your pool fit and healthy.

2. Invest in a Pool Cover:

Consider investing in a pool cover if you don't already have one. A cover protects your pool from debris, minimises water evaporation, and helps in retaining the chemical balance. It's an excellent preventive measure, especially when you're away for an extended period.

3. Automate Your Pool System:

If you haven’t already, invest in a pool automation system. These systems allow you to control filtration, sanitation, and even lighting remotely. Schedule regular filtration cycles and adjust chemical dispensers to maintain water quality automatically, even when your miles away. If you already have a Maytronics Mineral Swim system installed considering adding a Maytronics automatic pH dosing system, the pH Drive i-Series which will automatically dispense the correct levels of acid required to balance your pools pH levels. If you are away regularly, then investing in a Dolphin robotic pool cleaner such as the Dolphin M600 with a weekly timer and cleaning cycle selector, which can be controlled via the MyDolphin app, will give you peace of mind as you can operate your pool cleaner even when you are not at home.

4. Enlist a Trusted Helper:

If possible, ask a neighbour, friend, or professional pool service to check on your pool periodically. Provide them with clear instructions on maintaining the water level, skimming debris, and checking equipment and running your Dolphin robotic pool cleaner. A responsible person can address issues promptly, preventing them from escalating into larger problems. Contact your local Maytronics Elite Dealer who may offer a ‘summer holiday’ program and look after you pool while you are away. Of course, if your Dolphin robotic pool cleaner has a weekly timer and cycle selector you can schedule your Dolphin robot to work in the pool on certain days, before you go away or by using the MyDolphin Plus app when you aren’t home.

5. Chemical Shock Your Pool Before Leaving:

Consider shocking your pool with a higher dose of chlorine a day or two before your departure. This ensures that the water starts with a strong sanitiser level, making it more resilient against bacteria and algae growth during your absence. If you have a Maytronics Mineral Swim or Ozone Swim System installed, you will require a lot lower doses of chlorine to keep your pool sanitary.

6. Clean the Pool Thoroughly:

Remove leaves, debris, and any foreign objects from the pool before you leave. This reduces the strain on the filtration system and prevents clogs. A clean pool is less likely to encounter issues in your absence. A reliable Dolphin robotic pool cleaner can effortlessly eliminate dirt and debris from your pool. By choosing a model such as the Dolphin X40 Plus robot, equipped with a multi-layer filter basket with integrated fine and ultra-fine filter filters, you ensure filtration of both large debris and small dirt particles. This advanced filtration system guarantees a thorough clean without the hassle of swapping over filter panels to collect different sized debris.

Watch how the multi-layer filtration system on the Dolphin X40 Robotic Pool Cleaner works:

7. Inspect and Maintain Equipment:

Before leaving, inspect your pool equipment, such as pumps, filters, and heaters, for any signs of wear or damage. Address any issues beforehand or hire a professional Maytronics Elite Dealer to ensure everything is in working order. Well-maintained equipment is less likely to malfunction when you're not around. If you need to replace your Pool Equipment before you go away, invest in high quality Pool Equipment such as Maytronics Ecoclear pool equipment with a long warranty, so that you can be assured your pool systems and equipment won’t fail while you are away.

8. Use Algaecide:

Consider adding a long-lasting algaecide to your pool. These products help in preventing algae growth, ensuring your pool remains crystal clear even in your absence. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct dosage. Using your Dolphin robotic pool cleaner will also prevent the build up of algae on the pools surface as it scrubs the pool surfaces to loosen the algae so it can be sucked up into the Dolphin robot’s filtration system. Investing in a powerful robotic pool cleaner such as the Dolphin M700 robotic pool cleaner with a powerful dual-drive motor will provide a deep scrubbing action on the floor, walls and waterline, to prevent any algae forming.

By following these tips, you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind, knowing that your pool will be ok. A little preparation and the right maintenance routine will keep your swimming pool pristine, allowing you to return home to a refreshing oasis after your holiday adventures. Safe travels and happy swimming!