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Wildfire Smoke & Caring for Your Pool
Wildfire Smoke & Caring for Your Pool

wildfiresmoke

Wildfire Smoke & Caring for Your Pool

Wildfire Smoke can have a much bigger impact on swimming pools than most people realize. Even if you don't see ash falling, the fine particles and airborne contaminants eventually settle into the water and can increase the demand on your sanitizer.

 

Here's what happens to your pool water:

·         Higher chlorine demand: Smoke contains organic compounds that chlorine must oxidize, so free chlorine is consumed more quickly.

·         Ash and fine particles: Tiny particles settle on the water's surface and eventually end up in the filter, making it work harder.

·         Increased phosphates: Ash can introduce phosphates, which feed algae if sanitizer levels aren't maintained.

·         Water discoloration: Heavy smoke or ash can make water appear dull or cloudy.

·         Filter loading: Cartridges clog faster, sand filters require more frequent backwashing, and DE filters need more frequent cleaning.

 

BioGuard recommendations:

If you're caring for a pool during periods of heavy wildfire smoke, these BioGuard products work well together:

1. Maintain a higher sanitizer level

·         Extra tablets, liquid, or granular shock to maintain higher sanitizer level.

·         Oxysheen can be used to help oxidize contaminants chlorine cannot kill.

2. Improve filtration

·         Pool Complete 911 – Uses an enzyme and clarifier to improve water clarity and reduce the build ups of oils, carbon, and organics.

·         Polysheen Blue – Helps clump together small particles so the filtration system can remove them more effectively.

3. Control phosphates

·         ZeroPhos – removes phosphate build ups in water. Phosphates are a great food source for algae.

4. Prevent algae

·         Algae Complete – A non-foaming algaecide that provides additional protection when sanitizer demand is unusually high.

 

Maintenance tips during wildfire smoke (Safely):

  • Skim the surface daily (if safe).

  • Vacuum visible ash before it breaks down.

  • Brush the pool daily (if safe).

  • Run the pump 24 hours a day while smoke is heavy.

  • Clean or backwash the filter whenever pressure increases 8–10 psi above normal clean pressure.

  • Test chlorine and pH every day or two instead of weekly.

  • Be sure to monitor your own health first before your pool. If prolonged exposure to air quality at this level is troublesome, please use discretion.