Category Archives: Pool Opening

Innovative Solutions, Pool and Spa Equipment, Pool Closing and Winterizing, Pool Opening

Think Ahead to Spring: Now Is the Time for Leaf Nets

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Leaf Nets

Now that it’s time to close the backyard swimming pool for the season, it’s also time to think ahead to next season.  Doing a quick job of winterizing and cutting corners will save you time now, but when spring rolls around and you see the damp and decaying layer of dead leaves that has accumulated on your winter pool cover for months, you’ll wish you had spent a little more time preparing the pool for an easy spring clean up.

One fast and simple way to prevent that disgusting layer of slimy, decomposing leaves and debris from building up on your winter cover is to use a leaf net.  A leaf net is a mesh cover that goes over your winter cover or safety cover.  Set it up before the leaves begin to fall this autumn, and remove it before your first snow.  The time and effort saved by collecting autumn leaves in a leaf net will go a long way in the spring when you are ready to prepare the pool for a new season of swimming.

Pool and Spa Chemicals, Pool and Spa Equipment, Pool Opening

Tips for Opening Your Pool

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It’s that time again, pool owners! Time to open your pool for the season and get ready for swimming. I always look forward to this time of year. To make opening your pool easier, I have compiled this list of steps that you will need to follow to ensure that you are swimming in no time!

  1. Remove your winter cover, dry, and store away for next season.
  2. Remove all expansion pillows, plugs from the skimmer and wall returns, etc.
    Filter Flosser
  3. Next, you will want to check your filter and pump to make sure that they have not sustained any damage during the winter months. Replace any damaged or worn out parts, including replacing pool filter cartridges. If your filter needs to be cleaned, but not replaced, consider using a filter flosser, which sends high pressure streams of water into your filter in order to blast out dirt.
  4. Check lighting fixtures inside the pool for cracks and loose wiring. Replace any damaged parts.
  5. Check the surface of your pool. If you have a fiberglass or concrete pool finish, you will want to check for cracks, scratches, and coping issues.  Contact a pool repair professional for any problems. If you have a vinyl liner pool, you will want to check for tears, leaks, or discoloration. If you notice any tears or excessive bubbling and fading, you will want to consider purchasing a replacement vinyl liner.
  6. Next, reinstall any rails, ladders, slides, etc. that were removed during the winter months.
  7. Add water to fill the pool until the desired level is reached.
  8. Clean all leaves, twigs, and debris from the pool. You can use a manual brush and leaf rake or an automatic pool cleaner. Make sure that your floor, walls, and surface are clear or dirt and debris.
  9. Now, turn your pool on and run the filter for 12-24 hours to mix any old water with new water added to the pool.
  10. Test the water, “shock” the pool with high levels of chlorine, and adjust the alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels as needed using specialized pool chemicals. Add stain and rust remover, super shimmer, and algaecide as needed. You can even purchase a start-up chemical kit that has everything you need to get started in premeasured doses! Remember to wait 24 hours (and test again) before swimming!

 

Start-Up Chemical Kit

Pool and Spa Equipment, Pool Closing and Winterizing, Pool Opening

Leaf Nets in Autumn Make Spring Clean Up a Snap

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Leaf-Net-Black-Hand-Small

Once the weather grows cooler and pool owners decide to close the swimming pool for the winter, the most common procedure is to cover the pool with a winter pool cover.  Soon enough, Autumn leaves drop from the trees surrounding the covered pool, and they cascade gracefully through the air and settle gently on top of the pool cover…only to be forgotten until it is time to think about opening the pool again after the long winter months are over.  Those lovely Autumn leaves spend the winter decaying on top of the winter pool cover, and they make the removal of said pool cover a sloppy, dirty, heavy mess.  How does a pool owner prevent this problem and save some time during the Spring or Summer re-opening of the pool?  With a leaf net, of course.

A leaf net is a mesh cover designed to go on top of the winter pool cover until all the leaves and other debris have fallen from the surrounding trees.  Before the first hard frost, the leaf net should be removed by slowly dragging it off of the winter cover.  The leaves and other debris are removed with the leaf net.  At this point, leaves can be easily removed from the leaf net and added to the compost pile.  The leaf net should then be dried completely and stored in a cool, dry place until next Autumn.