With the unseasonably warm weather this week, perhaps it time to start thinking about routine Spring maintenance. It never hurts to start early so those inevitable surprises cannot delay planned pool opening.
My initial checks include:
- inspect pool tiles, surroundings and gutters for signs of ice or freeze damage;
- check pump room for pipe leaks or leaky valves;
- open sand filters and check sand quality and level;
- open DE filters and check integrity of the grids;
- open cartridge filters and check cartridges for damage or wear;
- check/ run pool pump to ensure well-lubricated bearings and silent operation;
- check transformers and power supplies for water damage or corroded terminals;
- inspect fuse box and ensure operability of trip switches and earth leakage units;
- make preliminary inspection of pool lights and determine lamps that need replacing;
- ensure the pool water is still in pristine condition with no trace of algae.
Any major problems discovered now can be comfortably dealt with well in advance of the swimming season, when pool service is both hard to get and rushed.
useful information about Pool opening….
1. Remove any leaves or debris from the top of your winter cover (this should not go in the pool)
2. Remove the water off of your pool cover by either using a submersible pump or siphon method. When using a submersible pump please ensure that the pump is not sitting directly on the pool cover. If there are any holes in the cover, including pin size holes, the water beneath the cover is drawn through and you can end up draining the pool.
3. Remove the water bags (inground) or winch cord (above ground) from your cover. Remove the cover while ensuring no remaining water that has been left on the winter cover spills into the pool.
4. Clean the winter cover and water bags using an anti-mildew cover and water bag cleaner such as Cover Cleaner. Air-dry the cover and bags and store in a safe place free of mice and insects. Vinyl covers should be stored in a covered container with Cover Cleaner or Algaecide and water.
5. Remove the winter plugs from your pool return(s) and your skimmer. Remove the gizzmo from your skimmer. Remove the foam rope from the main drainline.
6. Reinstall eyeball and lock ring in return(s) of pool.
7. Using Teflon tape reinstall all drain plugs on your filter, pump, chlorinator, NatureII and heater. Reinstall the pressure switch on your heater. Using Teflon tape, reinstall pressure gauge(s) and site glass on your filter. Ensure that they are handtightened. Be careful not to over-tighten or cross-thread plugs or gauge(s). Reconnect any plumbing or valves you may have disconnected while winterizing your pool equipment and lines. Reinstall backwash hose.
8. Remove expansion plugs from plumbing lines to salt chlorinator. Reconnect unions and wire leads to the unit. At this point the pool water is too cold for the salt chlorinator to work properly, and there is a risk of damaging the chlorinator in these temperatures. Therefore, you should wait until the water temperature reaches 65°F before turning the unit on.
9. Scrub water line(s) around the inside perimeter of your pool and steps and clean coping using a pool friendly cleaner such as Amaze.
10. Fill the pool with water until it reaches 3/4 of the way up thes kimmer. Put skimmer weir and basket back in the skimmer. Put pump basket back into the pump. Lubricate all o-rings with silicone lubricant before placing them back where they go.
11. Put a new cartridge into your NatureII system.
12. Reinstall pool ladder(s) with escutcheons. Please make sure that you tighten the ladder anchors (inground) or screws (aboveground) when you install the ladder(s) for security.
13. Reinstall diving board and reconnect all slide hardware.
14. Turn filter handle to the drain/waste position. Prime pool pump and start. Once the antifreeze has been flushed from the suction lines and equipment, shut pump off. Turn filter valve to the filter position then turn pump back on. Check all equipment and pool plumbing for dripping or leaks. Fix drips or leaks if required.
15. Vacuum pool if necessary for any sediment on the pool bottom. Backwash pool after vacuuming if necessary.
16. Fill chlorinator with AquaFoot/MaxiPucks or fill brominator with Bromine Tablets. Some customers will also add a shock and algaecide treatment before coming into get the water tested.
17. Allow pool to circulate for 24-48 hours, then bring a sample of pool water into Bud’sSpas and Pools for testing at our lab facility.
18. Balance your pool as require dusing the water analysis instruction sheet.
19. If you did not clean your sand filter before you winterized your pool, we suggest that you clean yours and filter upon pool opening using Filter Cleaner.
Yes, you should clean your pool frequently. It would be good if we could do the cleaning on a weekly basis . My friend has a swimming pool at her house and she gets the swimming pool maintenance done by Ferra Pools. They are quiet reasonable and do a wonderful job.
To keep the pools in good condition it is necessary that regular monitoring and inspection are done. This will be helpful in improving the condition and offering mind-blowing experiences to the people.
These are great ideas. Freeze damage can cause a lot more damage than people may think.
Great thoughts. Pool maintenance can seem like a bit of a headache, but it does need to be taken care of. And if it is, it’ll be easier in the long run!
Try a pool cover
The air quality of indoor pool environments has come under heavy scrutiny in recent years. The humidity level should be maintain around 50-60 % this can be done by exchanging fresh air with humid air by installing proper de-humidification systems.
Yes you should clean your pool in regular times. It will become more dirty if you use a pool heating because of monocells which can make you ill.
Thanks for the great advice on pool cleaning. As you say, it is important to get into ‘cleaning mode’ early on, to make sure that your pool is ready for summer – there is nothing worse than reaching hot weather and being faced with a stagnant pond :)!
Great checklist on getting pools ready. Always much better to get to any issues in the off-season. Thanks!
This is very good information. Here how Atlantis pools is the best option for swimming.. http://atlantispoolsindia.com/#image_gallery.php swimming pool builders
Killer checklist, bro.
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Do it.
Right you should clean your pool in regular times because pools becomes dirty hence there is need to clean it time to time. If you want to clean and good swimming pools then Atlantis Pools is one of the best option ……..Atlantis pools make swimming pools like natural and very strong….
Readymade Swimming Pool
WOW ! Great information about swimming pools….you can also see another swimming pools manufacturers……..
This information is very helpful for pool owners. I agree completely. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard of people who don’t check their pumps then have to deal with the consequences. A trick I usually do is to run my pumps for 1 hour every 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the cold weather you won’t have to pump it as long. What’s your method to running your pump?
Looks like good stuff!
Great checklist you’ve got here!
Thanks for a great article,
I believe that now is also the best time to monitor the pool for leaks and have them addressed quickly, pool leak detection companies work year round and can stop leaks before they become devastating to the pool, and pool liner. A leaking pool can become unbalanced quickly which increases down time during the summer. So during pool opening I suggest that all pool owners perform a bucket test so they can rest assured their pool is in its most water concious state. Find out about the bucket test at http://www.manlymaids.com
Excellent post, thanks so much for sharing. Really appreciate the insight for putting a pool in for the near future.