READY, SET, SPRING!
With winter weather waning, the spring season is just around the corner and with it, prime swimming season. It may still be a tad early in the Northeast but you can organize and prepare yourself for the tasks needed to get your swimming pool in tip-top shape for all of your family and friends to enjoy.
After a long season, there are several critical steps in opening your pool correctly to ensure the health of both swimmers and the pool itself.
1. Don’t Empty
There’s a prevailing myth that you should empty your pool to replace the water for a clean slate but we are here to tell you that this is not true. In fact, draining your pool can actually run the risk of damage since an empty pool is susceptible to popping out of the ground.
2. Clean, Clean, Clean
The biggest thing you can do to get your pool primed and ready for swimming season is to clean out any dirt and debris that has made its way into your waters. This includes checking your filters, skimmer baskets, removing any plugs, plus a good sweep and thorough scrub of the walls and floor for any excess build-up.
3. Fill Up
Next, you’ll need to make sure to adjust your pool water to its appropriate level to accommodate evaporation and the change in weather.
4. Circulate
Starting up your pumps and circulating your water is key to moving and mixing your water for a proper reading of your water’s chemistry for the next step.
5. Water Testing
Testing your water should be next on your agenda. You should test your pH levels, for Total Alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels. Plan to adjust accordingly to balance your water. Balanced water typically means a pH reading between 7.2 and 7.4, a TA between 80 to 120, a calcium hardness between 250 to 300ppm, and a chlorine reading of 1 to 3ppm.
6. Run Your Systems
After removing all winterizing plugs and re-assembling any necessary components that were removed and safely stored for winter, you should lubricate any valves, tighten all bolts, and prime your pumps for running your system for th season. After adjusting your water chemistry, you’ll want to hold off on jumping in until your pool water has had time to circulate after the addition of any new chemicals.
7. Get Ready to Enjoy
After other housekeeping tasks like properly storing your pool chemicals, your winter cover, and cleaning the deck area around your pool, you should be in pretty good shape to wait the warm weather to arrive, sit back, and relax poolside!