Category Archives: Pool Opening

Pool Opening, Pool Opening Spring Start Up

Opening Your In Ground Swimming Pool

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In Ground Swimming Pool

Opening your In Ground Swimming Pool

Easy Guidelines for Opening Your In Ground Swimming Pool

Plan early for next summer by preparing now for opening your in ground swimming pool.  Take inventory of your supplies, and replenish your stock of pool chemicals.  Now is also a good time to check your pool equipment for wear or damage and replace or upgrade as needed.  When it comes time to open your pool again next season, you’ll be ready to go.

Make your pool opening even easier by following the easy steps below.  You’ll be swimming in no time.

1. The first step in opening your in ground swimming pool is to remove any leaves or debris that have settled on the cover over the winter season.  Also, remove any standing water from the cover using a cover pump.  Then, remove the water tubes and the cover itself.

Note: if your cover has a hole in it, and you use your cover pump to remove standing water, you may actually end up pumping water out of the pool.  This can lead to a drained pool, so be sure to watch for this.

2. After removing the cover and water tubes, be sure to clean them, let them air dry, and store them away until the end of the swimming season.  Proper care of your cover and water tubes will ensure that they stay in good shape for many years.

3. Re-insert drain plugs you may have removed from your pump and filter.  Then, add water to the pool, bringing the level up to its normal operating level.

4. Remove freeze plugs, skimmer guards, or air pillows.

5. Next, start your filter system — make sure to prime the pump before starting the motor.  Purge all the air from the plumbing and equipment. Warning: Air will be compressed during this procedure. Be sure to release any built up pressure before opening your filter, pump, or chemical feeder. Make sure that the valve is turned to the backwash position (for sand filters).  Doing so will ensure that any old water left in your filter will not go into your pool.

6. Check for leaks.

7.  Assess the cleanliness of the pool itself.  If you used a solid cover over the winter season and secured it well, the water should be as clear as it was when you closed the pool last year.  If not, remove any large debris using your leaf net, leaf rake, or leaf eater.

8. Vacuum any dirt, sand, algae, or other small debris that cannot be removed with the leaf rake or net.

9.  After cleaning the pool, check the water chemistry:

  • Allow the water to circulate at least 8-12 hours so that the water that was added has time to mix with the water in the pool.
  • After that time, test the water thoroughly, then add the necessary chemicals in the proper sequence to balance the water chemistry. We suggest taking a water sample to your local pool professional to have it tested for pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, etc. Be sure to follow the procedure they describe to avoid damaging your pool.

10.  Install handrails, ladders, and other deck equipment making sure to inspect them for wear and damage. Car wax applied to stainless steel rails will help protect them from corrosion.

11. Inspect the diving board.  Look for stress cracks, and replace the diving board if any cracks are found.  Also, be sure the surface of the board is non-skid. If the surface has been worn smooth, use a refinishing kit to correct this.

12. Clean tile lines with baking soda and a sponge if you do not have any pool tile cleaner. Do not use household cleaners (especially abrasives) to clean the tile. You do not want to swim in these chemicals.

13.  Go swimming!

Pool and Spa Chemicals, Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool Opening

Balance Your Pool With Our Chemicals Chart

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Make sure that you maintain the ideal chemical levels for your pool. Swimming in a clean, balanced pool will ensure that you have the most enjoyable time. Follow the chart below to make sure that you have the right pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and stabilizer levels or the right pool chemicals to get them there!

 

CHEMICAL IDEAL LEVEL TO RAISE TO LOWER
Chlorine

 

 2.0 Shock the pool Turn chlorinator down
pH

 

 7.4   Summer

7.8   Winter

 Add soda ash *Add muriatic acid (diluted)
Total Alkalinity

 

 80-100 ppm Add baking soda

(Sodium Bicarbonate)

 **Add muriatic acid
Calcium hardness

 

 250-500 ppm Add calcium chloride Drain pool and refill
Stabilizer

 

 20-50 ppm Add Cyanuric Acid Drain pool and refill

* Add acid by spreading around pool or pour into pool in front of return jet. Pool should be running when doing this so the acid spreads throughout the pool as rapidly as possible.

** Pour acid into a three to five foot circle in the deepest part of the pool while the pump is off.  Allow to set for at least 20 minutes before turning pump on.

Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Pool and Spa Equipment, Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool Opening

Heat Your Pool Quickly and Efficiently With Solar Covers

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Solar Pool Cover
Solar swimming pool covers are an inexpensive addition to your in or above ground pool that can make a large impact. Using a solar cover will warm your pool up to 15 degrees when used during the day and retain that heat (and stop chemical evaporation) when used at night. They float freely on the water’s surface with no tie downs, etc so they are easy to put on and take off. If you do need extra assistance to get the blanket on or off, solar cover reels are available. Swim earlier, swim longer, and swim more comfortably with a solar cover.

Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool and Spa Safety, Pool Opening

Safety Covers Prevent Drowning in Unattended Summer Pools

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Mesh Safety Cover
Have you decided NOT to open your pool this summer? There are many reasons that homeowners might decide to take a break from pool maintenance for a season or two. Perhaps you are leaving your home and traveling for the summer or economic issues have forced you to keep the pool closed for the season. A pool that is unused can be come a potential hazard. Since you are infrequently monitoring the pool, it can be a dangerous liability for local children or animals. If you pool will stay closed this summer, make sure that it is protected with a pool safety cover. Required to hold a minimum of 485 pounds per five square feet, a safety cover provides a solid surface to anyone who may walk into your pool. They are a great way to prevent accidental drowning.

Pool and Spa Equipment, Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool Opening

Spring Pool Improvements: Filter Cartridges

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Filter Cartridges
One often overlooked area of pool maintenance is cleaning or changing your filter cartridge. If your filter cartridge is obviously and excessively dirty or your pump seems to be running at a higher pressure than normal, it is probably time to clean or replace your cartridge. Remove your cartridge and clean it with a water hose or, for best results, a filter flosser cleaner. If you notice that the pleats are broken or are excessively worn and dirty after cleaning, it is probably time to buy a replacement filter cartridge. Making sure that you purchase the right one can be tricky. If you know your model number, we can find it for you quickly. If not, our website gives detailed measuring instructions to help you determine the model that you need.