Just run the pump manually.

Manually. If your pump timer fails during a heat wave, the motor still works — just flip it to “on” or bypass the timer. The real problem is standing water heating up and feeding algae. Ten seconds of flipping a switch saves you a week of scrubbing green.

If you can’t get to the pump easily or the timer is hardwired, grab a heavy-duty extension cord and plug the pump directly into an outlet (if it’s a plug-in model). For a permanent fix, swap the broken timer with a cheap mechanical one from the hardware store — takes 15 minutes. Or use a smart plug that you can control from your phone.

Shock the pool now too, even if the water looks clear. Heat accelerates algae growth, and a preemptive chlorine boost buys you time.

This is not the week to experiment with “minimal pump hours.” Keep that water moving.