How to prepare your swimming pool for Summer use.
With the weather warming up once again, homeowners across the country are excited about jumping in to their backyard swimming pool. Before you dive in, there are some preparation steps that you must take. We’re going to share some simple tips that will help you get your pool ready for the summer. Let’s dive in!
Get the Proper Equipment
The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure you have all the proper equipment required to clean your pool. You’ll need pool equipment items such as a skimmer net, pool vacuum, brushes, chlorine, shock, water test kit, telescopic pole, etc. Obtaining all of these items in advance will allow you to prepare in the shortest amount of time.
Remove Dirt and Debris
It doesn’t take long for swimming pools to fill up with dirt and debris when not in use, especially if you haven’t been using a cover. You want to start by removing any large pieces of debris such as tree branches, leaves, bird’s nests, and maybe even dead insects that may have gotten stuck in the water. Then, you can start tending to the dirt, which we’ll get into more detail about below.
Remove the Pool Cover
If you’ve been using a pool cover — which is always a good idea for the sake of safety — then the next step is to remove it. If there’s any dirt or debris on the cover, which there probably will be, pick up the large pieces and sweep off the rest. Once you remove the cover, you might find a small amount of debris that’s gotten inside, so you may need to clean that up, too.
Clean Other Pool Areas
Just because you’ve cleared all of the debris from the water doesn’t mean that the swimming pool is entirely clean. When prepping the swimming pool for summer use, it’s pivotal that you do not miss areas such as ladders, steps, and walls. You’ll want to scrub and brush away any debris that’s collected, especially on steps where certain types of debris may make the surface slippery.
Clean with a Pool Vacuum
It’s important you don’t rely on skimming the surface of the pool to remove all of the debris. Smaller particles that wind up on the pool’s surface will float down to the bottom and make the water extremely dirty. There are manual swimming pool vacuums that you can use, but perhaps the best choice would be to invest in an automatic pool vacuum that will routinely clear away dirt and debris on its own.
Don’t Empty and Refill
The idea that you’ll need to empty your pool and then refill it is a myth. While doing this can fix certain cleanliness problems, it can cause other issues because you’re leaving your vinyl liner exposed and vulnerable. Except in extreme circumstances, this is typically a waste of time, effort, and expense. What you will want to do, however, is check the pool’s water level and fill it to capacity as needed.
Run the Filtration System
Even if the swimming pool looks clean after you’ve removed the debris, it’s important that you don’t jump in right away because there’s bound to be bacteria in the water, not to mention a chemical imbalance that could irritate your skin. Switch on your filtration system and run it for at least 12 hours, preferably overnight since this is much more convenient. This will help ensure that the water is healthy enough to swim in.
Test the Pool’s Water
Another thing that’s absolutely paramount before jumping into the water is to properly test it. Skipping this step can lead to foggy water, itchy skin, skin rashes, and a variety of health problems. Pick up some testing strips to test the waters pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels. Then, adjust them to the optimal levels with the use of shock and other pool chemicals.
Wait for Water to Clear Up
Many people are under the false assumption that once you’ve tested the pool’s water and made the proper adjustments, then you can jump in and everything’s good. The truth is that you should always wait until the water has properly cleared up before allowing anyone in it for the first time. Hold off until the water is crystal clear and you can see the bottom of the pool clearly, and then have at it.
Contact Larsen’s Pool & Spa for New Pool Construction or Renovations
Larsen’s Pool & Spa employs the best custom pool builders in Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas. We can assist you with pool cleaning info so that you’re ready for summer. If you have any questions about installing or remodeling a pool, or would like to learn about our pool financing options, give us a call at (727) 786-7665 today.