While most homeowners focus on keeping the water clean and balanced, August is also an excellent time to take a fresh look at pool safety. After months of regular use, small issues can develop gradually and go unnoticed until someone points them out.

July brings together several factors that challenge water quality. High temperatures encourage algae growth. Afternoon thunderstorms dilute carefully balanced chemicals. Wind carries pollen, leaves, grass clippings, and dust into the water. Add a weekend full of swimming, sunscreen, and backyard entertaining, and your pool has a lot more work to do than it did in the spring.