Spring Into Pool Season
Spring is right around the corner and eager pool owners are counting the days until they can open their pools for the season. But before you take that first refreshing dip, it is important that you open your pool correctly so that your pool is ready to handle the amount of action it’s about to be seeing.
Step 1: Take Care of the Pool Cover
If you have a winter or safety cover, drain as much water from the top of it as possible before removing it (this can be easily accomplished with a submersible pump). Remove the pool cover, clean it and let it dry. It’s now storage-ready.
Step 2: Give Your Water Level a Boost
Regardless of how cold the winter was, you have probably lost some water due to evaporation over the last few months. Use your hose to fill the pool to normal levels (this is usually around the middle of the skimmer or halfway up the tiling).
Step 3: Check the Equipment
Walk around your pool and visually inspect the following for cracks and breaks:
- Foundation
- Pump
- Filter
Check the pressure gauge on your filter and look at the electrical wire components of your pump, filter and heater. Clean the heat off the heat exchange before you start it up, and reconnect the pool equipment.
Step 4: Remove Your Winter Plugs
Take the winterizing plugs off your equipment and replace them with their normal drain plugs. Wait to remove the plugs from your skimmer and return lines if you have used antifreeze in your drain lines, and make sure the antifreeze is fully cleared before returning the normal plugs.
After this point you can start running your equipment.
Step 5: Test Your Water Chemistry
Before adding chemicals to your pool, check the expiration date and discard any pool chemicals which have expired. Grab your test kit and make sure that your pool water falls within the following levels:
- Chlorine: 2.0 to 4.0 ppm
- pH: 7.4 to 7.6
- Total Alkalinity (TA): 80 to 120 ppm
You may also want to add an anti-staining agent if your pool is prone to staining from metals such as iron and copper.
Step 6: Brush, Vacuum and Shock the Pool
Once your pool chemistry is looking right, it’s time to remove the dirt and debris. Give your pool a good brushing and vacuuming, paying particular attention to the steps, ladders, and other equipment.
After running the filtration systems overnight (this will allow your pool to filter out the dirt, debris, bacteria and algae still in the pool), consider giving it a good “shock” to eliminate any remaining contaminants.
Need a Pro to Check Your Water?
The Pool & Spa Depot has four convenient retail locations throughout Tennessee and Kentucky which provide free in-store computerized water testing so that you know that your water is always safe and sanitary.
Visit us in person or contact us online with your questions and concerns today.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Pool and Spa Depot has been a trusted family-owned and operated full-service pool company serving Clarksville, Nashville, Cookeville, Bowling Green and the surrounding areas since 1996. Pool and Spa Depot specializes in creating and caring for custom backyard pools, spas and living spaces from the initial design phase to long after construction is complete.
Whether you’re in the market for an inground gunite, steel wall, fiberglass or above ground pool construction, or are looking for reliable pool and spa maintenance or renovation and repair services, Pool and Spa Depot offers it all.
Contact Pool and Spa Depot today to speak with a specialist who can handle all of your pool care needs and outdoor living solutions. Stop by their state-of-the-art facility in the Cool Springs area in Brentwood to see 80,000 square feet of the largest selection of pool and spa products, chemicals, accessories and add-ons on the market today, or stop by their three outlet locations to pick up your immediate pool care supplies.
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