How Much Sun Should Your Pool Receive?

How Much Sun Should Your Pool Receive?

The thought of swimming often inspires images of the sun beaming down on the sparkling water. Although a pool is a great way to cool off on a hot, sunny day, you’ll want to consider the issues that come with placing your water feature in full sun. Too much sun can cause the water to be uncomfortably warm, which can also contribute to increased algae and bacterial growth. The direct sunlight can also break down pool chemicals faster and generate issues with maintenance. Finding the perfect location is simpler when you follow this guide.

Observe the Sun’s Path across Your Yard

The ideal placement for swimming pools allows for around six hours of direct sunlight each day. This tends to create the perfect balance for warming the water and limiting algae growth. To begin picking where to put the pool, you can take note of how the sunlight hits your yard. Choose a cloudless day to go out and check the sunlight every couple of hours. Once you identify how your house, nearby trees, and other features in the surrounding landscape impact the sunlight the yard receives, you’ll have a better idea of where to build the pool.

Plan for a Lot of Sunshine during Peak Swimming Hours

Your next step is to think about when you’ll use the pool the most. For instance, morning swimmers will want to put the pool in an area that receives as much sunlight as possible during the first hours after sunrise. Alternatively, you might prefer to put the pool where it can catch the last few hours of sunlight, when your kids will want to go swimming after school.

Consider Providing Shade in the Afternoon

If you’re fortunate enough to have an abundance of sunlight in your backyard, you might need to plan for extra shade to offset the heat. Pool builders offer a variety of solutions for pools that have too much sunlight at all times of the day. When you’re working with your pool contractor in San Diego, you could install a sun shade that covers a portion of your pool where the sunlight hits the hardest. Or you might opt to create shaded areas along the deck where swimmers can hop out and take a break from the sun. Either way, you’ll be able to enjoy more time swimming comfortably on the sunniest days of the year. 

Think Carefully about Nearby Trees

Trees can be a beautiful, natural way to create shade near swimming areas. But they can also pose issues for pool maintenance. If the trees drop too many leaves or branches into the water, you could face more issues with cleaning and clogged filtration systems. If you prefer to use trees for shade, talk to your pool builder about options that have less leaf drop compared to others. Exploring alternative ways to shade the pool area can also reduce sun glare while keeping the water clear.

If you’re ready to build a swimming pool that can transform your backyard into a perfect San Diego oasis, call on the experienced pros at San Diego Pools. As trusted San Diego pool builders and an award-winning swimming pool contractor Southern California families and businesses have relied on for more than four decades, we can create a custom pool that offers a great way to exercise as well as a place to relax and get away from it all. Give us a call today.