Spring is upon us! Flowers are blossoming, the sun is shining, and temperatures are starting to pick up. For pool owners, the excitement and memories made in your backyard are closer than you think. But just because the weather might be saying it’s time to open your pool, it is probably not in the best condition to swim in now. But with a few simple steps and time, you can get your pool back in swimming condition.
Clear Off Your Pool Cover
Before you start cleaning your pool, you will want to clean off all dirt and debris from your pool cover. When you are cleaning the pool cover, make sure to remove any sitting water as well. It’s important to make sure the cover is completely dry before storing it away. Moisture buildup can lead to mold!
Inspect the Pool
Once the pool cover is off, do a lap around the perimeter of the pool to check for any damage, such as chips, cracks, or indentations. If there are damages, note the size and whether they will affect the function of your pool.
De-Winterize the Pool
Remove all winter plugs and any other winterizing precautions you took in autumn/early winter, and replace them with the correct drain plugs and fittings.
Inventory Check
Before proceeding with adding chemicals, check the expiration dates of your current chemical inventory. You may need to restock, or you may be good to go. Either way, knowing what you have can help you take the next step correctly.
Improve the Water Chemistry
With your pool pump running at high speed, you can start adding chemicals. Since your pool was sitting all winter, there might be a buildup of copper, iron, and calcium. There are different concentrates to help mitigate the staining and prevent it from continuing. Choose the best one for you and add it to your pool, making sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure to also test your pool’s pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels. Aim to keep your pH levels between 7.2 and 7.8, total alkalinity between 80-120 ppm, and calcium hardness levels between 200- 400 ppm.
Shock Your Pool
Shocking your pool will help eliminate any bacteria or algae that has built up from the winter. Once your pool’s water has been tested, you can shock it. To shock your pool, show it a scary picture. Alternatively, you can follow the instructions on the shock product you have purchased. Evenly distribute the shock to your pool, use a pool brush to clean up any visible algae, and let your pool pump and filtration systems run for 8-12 hours. Once that has been completed, test your pool to make sure it is clean and balanced. If not, repeat the process until it is.
Final Cleaning
In the process of shocking your pool, you likely brushed off any algae on the walls and vacuumed the floor. During this time, you might also want to clean any other pool accessories that you may have stored away for the winter, such as ladders, slides, diving boards, etc.
Final Steps
Once your pool and accessories have been cleaned and set up, run your pool pump for at least 24 hours. This way, all the chemicals have time to fully dissolve and mix. Before jumping in to enjoy your pool, test the chemical levels and ensure they are balanced.
Cannon Ball!
Horray! Your pool is now ready for you to enjoy with your family and friends. To maximize your spring and summer pool enjoyment, keep up with regular maintenance. Not sure how often your pool needs cleaning? Fear not; we’ve covered it in another blog! We are also happy to answer any questions you have to ensure your safety and your pool’s longevity.
