Summer in Texas is when pools earn their keep — and when they are most likely to cause trouble. Long hours of pump running, water in the high 80s, heavy use and storm season all arrive at once. Here is how to get through it.
Before the heat arrives
Check the equipment. Pumps fail most often in early summer, when run times jump. Listen for grinding or screeching, look for drips at the pad, and watch the filter pressure. A pump that has been repaired twice already is worth pricing a replacement for before June, not during it — see pool pump and filter replacement.
Clean the filter and start the season with clear, balanced water.
Check the automation schedule. Summer needs longer run times than winter. On a variable-speed pump, longer at a lower speed is usually cheaper than shorter at full speed.
Keeping the water right
Warm water burns through chlorine fast, especially in full sun with heavy use. Test at least twice a week in peak summer. Keep stabiliser in range so the sun does not destroy chlorine as quickly, and watch pH, which tends to drift up. Salt pools are not exempt — output usually needs turning up in summer.
Storms and hurricane season
From June to October, Gulf storms are part of pool ownership here. Before a storm:
- Do not drain the pool — a full pool is more stable, and an empty one can be lifted by groundwater.
- Store loose furniture and toys so they do not end up in the water.
- If power cuts are likely, turn off the equipment at the breaker before the storm arrives.
After a storm, clear debris, bring the water level back to normal, clean the filter, and test and shock the water. If the pool has already turned, our green pool clean-up service will get it back.
Evaporation and calcium
Expect to lose an inch or more of water a week in July and August. Top up regularly, and remember every top-up adds minerals — which is why the white calcium line appears on so many Houston pools by September.
When to call for help
If the water will not clear, the pump will not prime, or you are topping up far more than evaporation explains, it is time for someone to look. And if you would rather spend the summer in the pool than working on it, weekly pool maintenance takes the whole list off your hands.
