Everyone wants to enjoy their pool during the summer, but few people look forward to the necessary steps of getting it ready for use.
If you’re the type of person that carries out their own pool maintenance what can you do to make the process a little less tedious and a bit faster? Here are some tips.
Purchase the right supplies
To get your pool summer ready, you will need the following items:
- The standard chemicals for opening the pool, including: shock, chlorine, pH, alkalinity and chlorine stabilizer
- A telescopic pole with skimmer head
- A complete vacuum kit
- A pool brush
- A test kit
Start the process now
Even if it is too cool to enjoy the water right now, it may still be a good time to start the work of opening your pool. Getting started in cooler weather has the added benefit that it can help prevent the growth of algae.
Get the filter going
As soon as the cover is off, it is time to get the filter running. You want the filter to run continuously until the water is ready, after which you will run it for about half the day every day. Running the filter will help you in preparing the pool for use and also allow you to assess how well the system is running after being turned off for half a year.
Complete the test kit
Once the filter is running, collect samples and prepare to get them tested. There are test strips you can use to complete this test, but it is often better to take the kit to a specialty store. Once you have your results, you will know exactly how to treat your pool.
Shock the pool
Shocking is especially important if your pool water has turned green. Shock will kill off any bacteria. For the fastest results, look for shock with calcium hypochlorite.
Cleaning time
Once the water is looking good, it is time to clean. Use your skimmer to clear debris from the surface of the water and your vacuum and brush to get the sides and bottom of the pool clean. Finally, your pool should be ready for use.
Swimming pools are considered attractive nuisances. Before you invite people over, make certain your homeowner’s insurance policy includes your pool.
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