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What Does Coronavirus Mean for Your Pool?

With COVID-19 sticking around longer than expected, all of the extra time at the house provides the perfect opportunity to utilize your pool as an escape! If you’re concerned about how coronavirus affects spending time in the pool, we’re here to help answer your questions! Take a look and see why now is a better time than ever to escape to your backyard oasis.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coronavirus and Your Pool

Can Coronavirus spread through my pool?

Fortunately, you can rest assured that as long as the pool is well maintained, the answer here is no. The CDC has clarified the following on their website:

There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.

However, keep in mind that if you are visiting a public pool, even if the pool itself is properly maintained and chlorinated, there are often surfaces you would touch along the way that the virus could cling to – door handles, lockers, public restrooms – so you may want to stick to your pool at home or at least be extra cautious about what you’re touching. Make sure to wash your hands often and thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds).

Is it safe to swim in my pool at home?

As long as the pool is properly chlorinated, then yes! This means a chlorine level of between 1 part per million (ppm) and 3 ppm, with 3 ppm being ideal.

However, if you or anyone else is already sick, don’t swim in the pool. While chlorine can kill some viruses, it cannot magically cure someone who is already sick. And you don’t want that sick person to be touching your pool step railings or any other areas that are not submerged. Instead that person should be resting in the comfort of their bed.

Is Pool Scouts still cleaning pools during social distancing?

Yes. Since our service is outdoors and away from people, we are still servicing pools so that you can enjoy your pool during this time! We can complete our service with no on-site contact with our customers, and we are taking extra safety precautions during this time to help prevent the spread of the virus (see next question).

What safety measures are Pool Scouts taking?

Our safety measures start before we even arrive at your house. Each morning our vehicles are sanitized and stocked with supplies to sanitize the high touch surfaces we come in contact with around your pool area. As we arrive at your house, customers are strongly encouraged to stay indoors and allow the technician to perform the pool cleaning service. Our Scouts will make sure that your pool is maintained at the proper chlorine level so that you can swim safely (per the CDC, normal sanitizer levels of 3ppm chlorine will kill the virus). Before we leave your property, we will use towels soaked with sanitizer to wipe down all surfaces on or near equipment that get touched on a regular basis (e.g. control panels, pump lids, air bleeder) as well as handrails, ladders, etc.

Check out this video to see our extra precautions in action!

Mom with baby in a floatie in the pool

Benefits of Keeping Up with Pool Time While Social Distancing

There are many benefits to utilizing your pool while being at home all day to keep from going stir crazy. Here are just a few of the reasons to keep your pool swim-ready at all times.

  • It’s great exercise! Not only is swimming a way to work out all of your muscles and get that workout in while the gyms are closed, but exercise builds up your immune system, which is so important during this time.
  • We need to soak up as much Vitamin D as we can. It can be easy to stay inside all day working from home, watching Netflix or reading the news. Taking the time to enjoy your pool gives you the opportunity to get Vitamin D while enjoying some sunshine. Getting outside can help manage the stress and uncertainty during this time and support your mental health in addition to physical health.
  • It gives the whole family new fun activities to try. If you’re tired of the same daily routine and quickly running out of ideas for new activities, adding pool time can change things up. Here are some fun pool game ideas that the whole family can play!
  • It’s a safe place to play! The CDC has released information explaining that there is no evidence COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs, and better yet, that proper maintenance and disinfection should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19. So if you’re taking the right steps to care for your pool, get out there and enjoy it! (And if you need help, call Pool Scouts.)

Our Scouts are here to help with all of your pool needs, especially right now. If you have any other questions about our safety measures, the disinfectants we’re using or the benefits of having your pool cleaned amidst the coronavirus outbreak, please feel free to call us at 972-685-1636. We’re happy to answer all of your questions, and look forward to helping care for your pool so you can keep enjoying it.