Why wait until summer is in full swing to begin prepping your pool? Getting your pool ready now will allow you to enjoy it as soon as the temperatures start to climb. All you need is a good cover and some bravery to tackle the grime that may have built up since last year.
Get ready to roll up your sleeves. Here are five steps to getting your pool set up in time for summer.
Pool and Filter Cleaning
Start your weekend pool cleaning project by removing the cover and scooping out any leaves or debris. Don’t focus on the color of the water at this point, which may appear green or even brown. Instead, watch for larger, chunky objects that may clog up your filter.
If you have an in-ground pool, you must also clean the filters when you open it. Simply remove the covers, brush off any large debris and then run the filter under cold water for a few minutes to strip away any old gunk and build up.
Fill Your Pool and Start the Water Treatment
Add enough water from a hose to fill your entire pool. Don’t worry, mixing your “dirty” water with the hose water is fine—you’ll be adding chemicals soon to help clean everything up.
Switch on your pool equipment, including the filter and pump, and let them run for at least 24 hours. If your pump does not start processing the pool water immediately, remove the lid from the pump and add water to get the system going.
Add an Algaecide product to your pool water, and Super Chlorinate the pool with non-stabilized chlorine to kill off contaminates.
Balance Your Chemical Levels
How can you check your pool’s chemical levels? For a safe swimming experience, a pool chemical test kit is essential to verify your levels are within the optimal range. These ranges can be found below:
Chlorine: 1.0 – 3.0 ppm. Remember that your pool may read high chlorine levels after a chlorine shock. If levels fall above or below this recommended threshold, however, add or decrease your chlorine levels accordingly.
pH: 7.4 – 7.6. Not at the right pH? You can raise the pH by using sodium bicarbonate or decrease it by using sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid.
Calcium: 200 – 400. Adding calcium chloride to soft water will likely be necessary to bring your levels within this range. To decrease calcium levels, use pool flocculant.
Alkalinity (stabilizes pH level): 80 – 140 ppm. When alkalinity is high, add sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid. When alkalinity is low, add sodium carbonate.
Monitor the Filter and Water Color
For the next several days and weeks, keep a close eye on your filter and watercolor. Once the color of your water turns crystal clear and your levels balance out, you’re ready to move onto the final step!
Final Touches
Finalize your pool’s prep by scrubbing, vacuuming, and skimming for any debris. Don’t forget your ladder and any other pool accessories to make your swimming experience this summer the best one yet!
Spa Tech has over 38 years combined experience servicing all types of pools and can install, repair, clean, maintain, balance and open and close your pool. If you want to spend more time enjoying your pool and less time cleaning it—contact us today to book your service call.
