FROM POOL OPENING TO CLOSING, THESE TIPS WILL KEEP YOUR POOL IN TOP SHAPE ALL YEAR LONG
Now that summer is right around the corner, it’s time to get your pool ready.
The rise in temperature gets us all pretty excited for the summer months to come, but some pool owners dread all the work of pool opening. Of course, the work doesn’t end once the pool is open. Pool upkeep needs to be taken seriously throughout the season to protect your pool and keep it in good condition.
While pools may be high-maintenance, the fun and enjoyment you get is well worth the effort. The ultimate purpose of pool maintenance is precisely to protect your investment and keep your pool in mint condition for your use. Here’s how you can look after your pool properly, so it stays safe, clean, and ready to use this summer.
SKIM & SCRUB
Skim all the leaves and debris from the surface of the pool every day. Scrub the pool walls once a week to prevent algae growth. An automated pool vacuum also comes in handy for cleaning the floor of your pool.
Cleaning and Rinsing: Pump, Skimmer Basket, Backwash Sand Filter, and Cartridge Filter
Clean the pump and skimmer basket once a week by:
- Turning off the pump;
- Removing the skimmer cap on the pool deck;
- Lifting out the basket;
- Removing its debris; and,
- At the same time, removing the pump cover, removing the basket and removing all debris.
CLEANING FILTERS
It’s important to remember to clean your filter on a regular basis. Not sure what that schedule is? When the pressure rises to between 8 and 12 PSI, it’s time to clean your filter.
For sand filters:
- Stop the pump;
- Put the filter on backwash;
- Start the pump and let it run until the water is clear;
- Stop the pump and rinse the filter;
- Start pump for ~10 seconds then turn it off and put the filter back to filtration; and,
- Start pump again.
For cartridge filter:
- Stop the pump and open the filter;
- Remove cartridges;
- Clean the cartridges and reinstall the filter;
- Make sure the filter is closed properly; and,
- Start pump again.
TEST & BALANCE POOL WATER
To keep your pool water clean and safe, test the water at least once a week for:
- Cyanuric Acid (pool stabilizer) —protects chlorine from sunlight and determines required Free Chlorine level. The ideal reading is 30 – 50;
- Free Chlorine—sanitizes your pool water (keep between 1 and 3);
- Acidity/Alkalinity/pH—the ideal level is 7.5 – 7.8 to prevent skin irritation and equipment erosion;
- Total Alkalinity—keeps pH balanced, and should be 60 – 120; and,
- Calcium Hardness—prevents damage to plaster. The level should be 220 – 350, or lower for vinyl-lined pools.
SHOCK POOLS WHEN NEEDED
If you notice the pool water is murky, raise the chlorine levels for a short period of time to kill bacteria. Dilute three to five times the normal amount of chlorine with water and slowly pour into the return line. Allow to filter throughout the pool.
MAINTAIN THE WATER LEVEL
Keep the water level halfway up the opening of the skimmer. Use a garden hose to refill when needed. Use a pump to remove water if it’s too high. Test the water’s chemical levels once you’ve refilled or pumped out the water.
POWER WASH POOL DECK
After sweeping away debris, use a power (pressure) washer to clean your pool deck. Go over your deck several times until it’s spotless.
SCHEDULE ANNUAL POOL OPENING SERVICES
Make sure you start the pool season off on the right foot by scheduling pool opening services. Pool experts will inspect your pool for any damage and make any necessary repairs before the damage worsens. Reaching out to professionals can save you money and time, while also giving you the peace of mind of knowing your pool is safe and ready to be used.
WINTERIZE
To prevent damage to your pool during the off-season, make sure you prepare your pool and equipment for the upcoming winter. Consider pool closing services to help you complete the list of pool closing tasks.
For help with pool opening or pool closing services, renovations, or repairs, contact your local pool experts. They will get your pool ready so you can enjoy the upcoming pool season to the fullest.
