7 Pool Maintenance Tips For Spring
Spring is coming, which means it’s time to get your pool ready and prepare for a sizzling summer filled with outdoor water fun and games. But before you can get back into the splash zone, you need to ensure all your equipment is operating correctly and that your water is crystal-clear and balanced. Here are seven maintenance tips you’ll want to go over with your pool service company to make sure your pool is ready to go.
1. Clean The Cover
2. Check The Pump
3. Clean the Filter
4. Scrub The Sides
5. Shock The Water
6. Balance The Chemicals
7. Schedule Weekly Service
Now let’s examine each of these steps in a little more detail.
Make Sure Your Cover Is Clean
Unless you are lucky enough to live in a very temperate climate, you probably had your pool closed up for the winter. Properly cleaning your cover will help it last longer.
· Before removing the winter cover, remove accumulated debris
· Hose the top of the cover down with water to keep all that dirt and grime from ending up at the bottom of your pool.
· Then, protect the cover against mold growth by letting it dry before folding or rolling it up and putting it away.
Top Off The Water and Check the Pump
A properly operating pump is essential to getting your pool ready for summer and keeping it clean and safe throughout the season. A seasoned professional will verify that seals are intact and that the equipment is operating correctly before proceeding. They should also be able to recommend needed repairs.
Backwash or Replace The Filter
Along with the pump itself, your filter is a vital part of your circulation system. When first opening the pool and throughout the season, your pool pro may recommend backwashing or replacing the filter so that system will continue to operate as efficiently as possible.
Scrub The Sides and Steps
Nobody wants to get into a pool that has algae and grime built up all over the walls. So once you’ve verified the filtration system is properly functioning, the pool tile will need to be scrubbed. If it looks really bad, ask your maintenance person whether an acid wash is in order.
Shock The Water
Now that the sides and bottom are clean, you might think it’s time to jump in and test the waters. But first, the water needs to be shocked and filtered. Pool shocking is a process in which extra chlorine is added to kill excess algae and bacteria growth. Never get back into freshly shocked water; the excess chlorine needs to evaporate until it is back down to a safe level before anyone gets back in.
Balance The Water
It’s not enough to add chlorine and hope for the best. You should maintain your water throughout the season at an alkalinity of 80 to 120 ppm and pH level between 7.2 and 7.8. Getting the balance right can be tricky if you try to do it with over-the-counter test strips, but a seasoned pool guy (or gal) can get your water balanced in no time.
Schedule Weekly Service
Keeping your pool fresh and sparkling isn’t a matter of “set it and forget it.” Someone has to stay on top of it all summer long.
· The filter will need regular cleaning.
· The water may occasionally need shocking.
· Debris needs to be removed regularly.
· The water needs to be tested and balanced at least once a week.
Need Pool Maintenance in the Sun Belt?
If you live in one of our service areas in the Sun Belt and are overwhelmed by the work involved in opening your pool, call your local SPS PoolCare branch today. We can get your pool ready for the summer season and keep it clean and sparkling all year long. Contact us for more information or to schedule a quote.
