Weekend Warrior: Getting the Pool Back in Shape for Summer Fun

a pool in a back yardIt’s time you got your pool ready for splashing about. But getting it ready is not just about taking the cover off. You will need to clean the water, wash the various pool surfaces, reassemble the pumps and filters, and make sure that they are sturdy enough to last the summer season. While this may seem like a lot of work, the health and safety of your family depends on how well you maintain your pool.

Here are some guidelines for getting your pool back in shape for summer fun:

Remove the Leaves and Debris

Use a leaf rake to scrape the surface of the cover clean of dried and dead leaves, and other debris.

Remove the Top Cover

With the cover of the pool clean, it’s time to remove it. Removing the top cover of the pool is a delicate task. There may be molten ice or snow on the cover, which will first need to be pumped out so that it does not run into the pool and dirty it. Use a small cover pump for the job. Once the cover is clean, remove it by fan-folding it in into folds not more than five feet wide. Make sure to clean and dry it before stowing it away.

 Check the Water’s Condition

After lying unused for several months, the pool might have gathered debris, leaves, and algae. Check the water and the water level. Cloudy water means that there is still dirt and debris in the pool. Use a leaf rake- or bag-type skim net to skim the surface of the water and also scoop up the dirt and debris from the bottom of the pool. Look carefully to ascertain if there are silt deposits in the pool. Also check the walls to see if algae and moss are clinging to these surfaces. You will need to vacuum the floors and walls to ensure that these dirt particles do not end up in the filtration system to clog it up.

Check the Filtration System

You might need to change the sand or the cartridge. Put the filter valve in the filtering mode, adjust all the pipes, and start filtering.

Tighten the Pipes

After you reassemble the unit for the summer, make sure that all the pipes are tight and no screw loose or sticking out. Do not tighten too much.

Check the Chemical Balance of the Water

First check the alkalinity of the water. The ideal value should be anything between 80 and 120 parts per million (PPM). The pH level should be ideally between 7.4 and 7.6. After correcting the alkaline and pH levels, add chlorine to the water. Make sure that you also check that the Cyanuric acid levels do not drop below the recommended amount.