A round pool can be a great way to cool off during the hot summer months, but how much water does it need to remain cozy and refreshing? Is a gallon really sufficient, or should you top it up occasionally? As long-time pool owners know, the amount of water in your pool depends on a number of factors, including the size of your pool, the type of pool you have, and the time of year. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how much water you need in relation to a standard sized pool as well as some helpful tips on how to tell if you need to top it up.
Table of Contents
The Amount Of Water
Let’s get the easy stuff out of the way first. No, a gallon of water does not necessarily equal a quart or half-gallon. It depends on the size of your pool. A gallon of water weighs about 3.8 pounds and a quart weighs about 7.6 pounds. So, if you have a 10’x10′ pool, you’ll need 16 ounces per hour just for swimming purposes (assuming you use a standard swimsuit and not a wetsuit and you’re not doing any strenuous activities beyond just swimming). Keep in mind, this is only if you are using a gallon of water and not a quart or half-gallon so you may need to top up more frequently than once per hour during the day depending on how often you go in and out of the pool. If you have a larger pool, say 12’x12′, then you will need about a quart or half gallon per hour for swimming.
Now that we have the easy stuff out of the way, let’s talk about how much water you actually need in your pool to remain comfortable. Remember, your pool will get progressively foulier as the weeks and months go on, so you’ll need to do some water testing at least once every month to make sure the water remains refreshing and clean! It’s also a good idea to do a water test monthly even if you live in an area with extremely high water temperatures because even small amounts of bacteria multiply quickly in high temperatures, turning your pool into a breeding ground for bacteria that’ll make you sick if you’re not careful (and it’s all down to human error – if you leave your pool unattended and unfiltered for any length of time, even for a moment, you’ll be sickening for days).
How Often Should You Top It Up?
The water in your pool should be changed at least once per month but preferably several times per week in order to keep the water clean and healthy. Changing the water in your pool helps stop the growth of algae and other types of organisms that contribute to the pool’s foul odor and discolor the water. The color of your pool water is an important factor in maintaining its clarity because if you’ve ever seen muddy water in a large pool, then you know it doesn’t mix well with light. As a general rule of thumb, the more you use your pool, the more you need to change the water. If you only use it occasionally, then once per week should suffice. If you use it regularly, then once per day should do the trick. Of course, this is not set in stone and you could always use less if you’re careful or more if you’re having a busy week or month but it’s generally best to err on the side of caution and change the water more often than not.
When Is The Best Time To Check For Water Leaks?
As mentioned above, your pool will foul quickly in high temperatures so it is essential that any leaks are found and repaired before they cause further damage. The best time to check for leaks in your pool is in the morning when the water is at its hottest and when it’s just out of the water fountains or hydrants. Hot water dries faster than cold water, which means leaks and drips will be more noticeable during the day than at night when the temperature is cooler and there’s less moisture in the air. Another important factor to keep in mind is that if you live in an area with extremely high humidity, then checking for water leaks at night is a good idea because the heat will have forced moisture into the air and it will be easier for you to spot any drips or splashes during the day when the room is not as humid.
The Size Of The Pool
The size of your pool is important because large pools require more time and energy to maintain than smaller ones. In general, the bigger the pool the more water you need to keep it clean. With bigger pools, it is important to remember that you need much more than a typical person would guess. For example, if you have a 14’x14′ pool then you will need about a gallon of water per day just to keep it clean. Now, this is just for the pool. If you use the same water for your garden (if you have one) then you will need even more because the garden will also need water to survive. If you have a small pool, then you might want to consider getting an automatic pool cleaner because it’ll make life a lot easier and more enjoyable. Don’t forget to check out the best automatic pool cleaners available on the market today!
To summarize, here are some general tips on how much water you need in a 16-foot round pool based on the size of the pool, the type of pool you have, and the time of year:
- A 10’x10′ pool needs about 16 ounces per hour just for swimming
- A 12’x12′ pool needs about a quart or half-gallon per hour for swimming
- A 14’x14′ pool needs about a gallon per day just to keep it clean
- An 8’x8′ pool needs about a gallon per day just to keep it clean
- If you have a smaller pool, then you might want to consider getting an automatic pool cleaner to make your life easier
- If you live in an area with high humidity, then it’s a good idea to check for leaks in the morning when the water is at its hottest
Type Of Pool
Do you have a heated pool? If so, then you will need to consider how much heat you’re adding to the water as well as how you’re heating it. Most heat added by hot-tubs or other similar heat sources comes at a price and depending on how often you use the pool and how long you leave it unattended, this cost can add up quickly. Another important factor to consider is the type of pool you have. Are you using a pool bath or a swim-up pool? In a pool bath, the water is basically at room temperature and you just need to bring your bathing suit and towels along with you to get in and out of the water, meaning you’ll be spending less time in the water overall and potentially enjoying yourself more because the water is not as hot as in a swim-up pool. The latter is deeper than it is wide and has a ladder allowing you to climb out of the water, meaning you’ll need to get out of your bathing suit more often and spend more time in the water. If you have a heated pool and you’re not using one of the above mentioned methods, then you should consider getting either a swim-up or pool bath because they are both less labor-intensive than a regular pool.
Season
The weather is another important factor to consider when determining how much water you need in relation to a pool. The amount of rainfall and humidity will affect how frequently you will need to top up the pool and if you live in an area with extreme weather fluctuations, then it may be best to consider installing a water heater with a thermostat so you can control the temperature of the water, especially in the summer when the heat is already a bother. If you live in an area with a lot of rain, then you might want to consider getting a partially retractable awning over your pool so you can enjoy the outdoors even in the rain without getting wet from head to toe. You’ll also need to bear in mind that large quantities of rain will make the pool almost undrinkable because as the rain washes down the pool deck area, so too will all the ground water making it almost impossible to keep clean. In warmer climates, it is a good idea to keep your pool outdoors during the summer months to catch all the rays of sunshine and heat that will make the pool inviting and refreshing.