In this guide
- What should you do before you leave?
- How should you balance the water before a trip?
- Should you leave the pump running while you're gone?
- Should you cover the pool while you're away?
- Who should check the pool while you're gone?
- What should you check when you get home?
- Want the pool handled while you're away?
- Frequently asked questions
To keep your pool clear while you're away, balance the chemistry a day or two before you leave, top up the water, clean the baskets and filter, and set the pump timer for at least one full turnover a day. Then line up someone to check the baskets and the pump. When you get back, test before anyone swims.
I'm Adam, owner and lead technician at Adam's Pool & Spa in Long Beach. I've been servicing pools here for about fifteen years, and a trip can mean a week or more with no one looking at the pool. A little prep goes a long way. If you'd rather hand the whole thing off, our residential weekly pool maintenance keeps visits going while you're gone.
How should you balance the water before a trip?
Bring it into the normal range and confirm it with a second test. CDC guidance on home pool water treatment and testing calls for free chlorine of at least 1 ppm, or at least 2 ppm with stabilizer.
The same guidance recommends pH from 7.0 to 7.8. The CDC also notes that chlorine kills germs less effectively as pH rises, especially above 8.0. So don't stop at chlorine. Get pH in range too, then let the pump run and retest before you go.
If you have a salt system, check that it's producing and that the salt level is where your manual says. In cooler months, many salt cells shut off when the water gets cold, as our guide on why a salt cell slows down in cold water explains, so plan a backup.
Should you leave the pump running while you're gone?
Yes, on a timer. A U.S. Department of Energy guide on replacing single speed pool pumps with variable speed pumps calls one full turnover every 24 hours the minimum.
The guide also warns that if a pump can't turn the pool over within 24 hours, the risk of algae and pathogens can increase. So keep at least that schedule while you're away. Confirm the timer clock is correct before you leave, since a reset clock can run the pump at the wrong hours.
Should you cover the pool while you're away?
A cover helps if you have one that fits and fastens securely. ENERGY STAR's pool pump and pool energy guidance says covering a pool when it's not in use can cut chemical use by 35 to 60 percent.
It also says a cover can cut water loss by 30 to 50 percent and keep dirt and debris out. Secure it well, because wind can lift a loose cover. Tell anyone checking the house that a cover is not something to walk on.
Who should check the pool while you're gone?
Anyone you trust to look at it every few days can catch the problems that turn into big ones. Give them a short list:
- Empty the skimmer baskets if they're full.
- Make sure the pump is running during its scheduled hours.
- Look for a water level dropping below the skimmer opening.
- Call you if the water turns cloudy or green.
- Keep the gate closed and latched.
Leave your phone number and ours on the equipment pad or the fridge. A neighbor isn't expected to fix anything, only to spot it early. Whether you'd want regular visits instead is a separate question, and our guide on weekly vs biweekly pool cleaning covers that choice.
What should you check when you get home?
Look at the pool before anyone gets in. Here's the order I use:
- Check the water level and top it up if it dropped.
- Empty the skimmer and pump baskets.
- Look at the filter pressure gauge and clean the filter if it climbed.
- Skim and brush anything that settled.
- Test free chlorine and pH and compare to the CDC ranges.
- Adjust, let the pump run, and retest before swimming.
If the water is cloudy or green, hold off on swimming until it's clear and the numbers are back in range. A pool that fell behind for a week or two can usually be brought back, but it takes time and testing.
The questions Long Beach pool owners ask most before a trip, answered plainly.
Want the pool handled while you're away?
You shouldn't have to worry about the pool on vacation. At Adam's Pool & Spa, I can get the water balanced, the filter clean, and the timer set before you leave, and check it when you're back. We work across Long Beach and nearby neighborhoods, and we're Jandy Certified and a Pentair Expert Installer. Schedule a visit and tell us your travel dates.
Adam is the founder, owner, and lead technician of Adam's Pool & Spa, working on pools in Long Beach and nearby LA County for about fifteen years. He is Jandy Certified and a Pentair Expert Installer, and he built the business on education-first, anti-pressure service, including the "Pool School" session each new client gets.
Frequently asked questions
Should I turn off my pool pump while I'm on vacation?
No. Keep it on a timer so the pool still gets at least one full turnover every day. A U.S. Department of Energy guide calls one turnover every 24 hours the minimum, and warns that falling short can increase the risk of algae and pathogens. Switching it off for the whole trip works against that.
Should I shock my pool before going on vacation?
Bring free chlorine into the normal range before you leave rather than guessing with a big dose. CDC guidance for home pools calls for at least 1 ppm free chlorine, or at least 2 ppm with stabilizer, and pH from 7.0 to 7.8. Test a day or two ahead so you have time to adjust and retest.
Should I cover my pool while I'm away?
A cover can help if it's sized and secured for your pool. ENERGY STAR says covering a pool when it's not in use can cut chemical use by 35 to 60 percent and water loss by 30 to 50 percent, and it keeps debris out. Fasten it well and make sure anyone checking the house knows not to step on it.
Is it safe to swim right when I get home?
Not until you've tested the water. Empty the baskets, look at the filter gauge, and test free chlorine and pH first. If the numbers are outside the CDC ranges, adjust, let the pump run, and retest before anyone swims.
