The weather’s getting warmer, the days longer, and people are starting to wear t-shirts and shorts. It’s a sure sign summer is nearly here, so time to pull back the cover and open up your swimming pool.
But as you may realise, getting a pool ready for the high season involves planning. So we’ve come up with the steps to help you prep that pool.
The Big Pool Reveal
The first thing on your to-do list is to remove your pool cover. Chances are it’s covered in twigs, leaves and soil, so make sure none of it slips into the water as you roll it back. Drain off any dirty water which has collected on top – obviously not into the pool itself.
Once your cover is off, if you spot leaves floating around, scoop them up. Use a brush to scrub the pool walls and any steps which may look grubby.
Backwash and Clean
How has your filter fared over the winter? A clogged filter will mean water won’t be able to run freely, so the pump will be working harder. If you have a diatomaceous filter (DE) or cartridge filter, give it a good clean and hose it down. A sand filter will need a backwash.
As the name suggests, a backwash is a filter cleaning method which reverses the flow of the water through the filter system dislodging debris and dirt and flushing it out. It usually takes a few minutes and eventually that mucky water should run clear.
Fill The Pool Up
Next step is to fill the water up as levels usually drop over the winter. Check your skimmer equipment, the basket, lid, plate and the inner workings. Sometimes these can crack and get damaged in cooler months.
Get The Balance Right
Then it’s time to investigate the balance of your water. You may have kept your pump on over the cooler months, but the chemicals will need adding and adjusting after months of closure.
Dip testing strips in the pool, or take a sample of water to your pool shop to check chlorine, pH balance and alkalinity.
The ideal guide for chlorine is from one to three parts per million with pH levels between 7.2 and 7.4. Alkalinity should hover between 80 and 12 parts per million (ppm).
Calcium hardness should be between 150 and 250 parts per million (ppm). If you’re in an area where the water is soft, it will absorb greater calcium.
You should consider adding stabiliser and algaecide. Stabiliser will prevent loss of chlorine through evaporation from the strong UV rays and algaecide will stop the water from going green.
Run Your Pump
Lastly, let your pool pump run continuously for 24 hours and ensure that the chemicals and filter have time to be effective to make the water cleaner.
If you have any queries about opening up your pool for summer, speak to the experts at Barrier Reef Pools Perth. We manufacture and install beautifully designed, durable fibreglass pools at affordable prices. We are WA’s most awarded fibreglass pool manufacturer winning SPASA accolades year after year. Why not visit one of our three showrooms and discover why our pools are the pool of choice in WA?
