Get ready for opening day

Spring seems to be here to stay and that means opening day is now in sight. It’s time to take inventory and make your spring cleaning list. You want to have adequate time to get everything you need. More people are staying close to home this year, and many are starting to see the benefits of having a backyard swimming pool.  If this is your first summer operating a pool there is still a lot to do before you dive in.  If you are a seasoned pool operator let’s review some important steps that can save you time and money in the long run. 

Order your pool chemicals

This year it’s extremely important to place your orders early.  With the increase in pool and spa owners and the global shipping delays, it’s time to consider placing those orders a few weeks earlier than you normally do.  Check your inventory, if you have expired or improperly stored chemicals then make a plan to dispose of them safely.  Not sure what you need to get your water ready? There’s more than just chlorine needed to balance your pool, you’ll need to treat your waters ph, alkalinity and calcium hardness as well.  If you’d prefer to have a professional get your pool ready, check out this list of options in your area.

Clean up outdoors

Spring cleaning isn’t just for inside the house. Cleaning up the yard and dusting off the deck will help keep a lot of unnecessary debris out of your swimming pool.  Its best to do yard and deck work while the cover is still on.  Safety is paramount, this is a great time to inspect. To keep your family safe, check on the condition of your ladders, handrails, diving board and waterslide anchors. 

Remove your pool cover

Don’t get ahead of yourself with this task, there are few steps to take before you roll back the cover.  Clean all of the debris and excess water off of the top and let it thoroughly dry out.  The more debris you can keep out of your pool the less work your filters will need to do once they are up and running. Ensuring your cover is dry before you store it away will increase the lifespan of your cover. 

Clean your basin and fill your pool

These two tasks can be done simultaneously.  Using a garden hose, start to fill your pool to operating level. At the same time, use a leaf skimmer and get any surface debris you can. Once leaves and twigs get into the water there will be some breakdown that will contaminate your water before the large pieces get to the bottom. Give the sides a good brushing and vacuum the debris that has settled on the bottom. Your filters will take care of the rest but it’s best to remove anything you can to increase the lifespan of your filter media and the units themselves.

Start filtration

Let the filters run for a day or so to mix all of the new water in with the old and then you’ll want to perform a test to see what needs adjusting.  Before you add chlorine it’s important to balance your waters alkalinity and ph and calcium hardness.  Once these levels are within range its time to shock your pool and wait for the chlorine level to fall.  Once within range, you are good to take the plunge.  

 

Enjoy your backyard pool this summer, but keep a close on your water quality every couple of days.  If you are able to catch things before they get out of the safe range, then you can likely maintain your water without having to close your pool for long. 

How to Remove Algae From Your Pool

Virtually every pool, outdoor or indoor, is susceptible to growing algae, mold, or fungus. Spores of these organisms are floating in the air around us and whenever they come in contact with a hospitable environment like the water in your swimming pool, they bloom. It’s worth noting that adding fresh water or even replacing the water in your pool entirely does not get rid of the algae. It can survive on the walls and invade your pool once again after you refill it with water. In order to fight the algae you need to add algaecide to the pool, regular disinfecting chemicals won’t do the trick if the water is already green.

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DIY Leak Detection

Are you worried there might be a leak in your pool? We’ve got a simple procedure you can try yourself before calling in a technician to determine if your pool is actually leaking.

Generally, it is considered common for a pool to lose ~6mm of water over 24 hours due to evaporation. If more water is lost, a leak is very likely. If you suspect that there is, in fact, a leak in your pool, it’s in your best interest to analyze whether or not you’re losing more than 6 mm of water. If a significant amount is being lost, the state of your pool can be affected negatively. You may be forced to spend money on restoring the chemical balance and in severe cases; you may even be required to repair/replace your pool equipment to restore your pool to a functional state.

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How to Pick Your Pool Liner

The design of your pool plays a vital role in the character of your backyard paradise. Whether you are trying to simulate the silky smooth seas of the Caribbean, or are looking for a crisp and sharp modern look selecting the right design for your pool liner will be key! Our backyard is our escape; it is the fundamental soul of our home, it’s where we go to think to unwind, to relax!

We advise you take the time and learn how to select the ideal liner for your pool as a pool liner will set the tone for your backyard for at least the next 10 years. In addition to design, keeping quality in mind when selecting you liner will prove beneficial if your liner is to last its tend. Continue reading How to Pick Your Pool Liner