After a long winter all pool owners look forward to steamy, hot weather where they can float on their raft in a crystal clear pool. This idyllic scene can only happen after a few days’ work preparing your pool water for swimming.
The first step is removing the debris and water off of the winter cover. A small sump pump works well to pump the water off. If a sump pump isn’t available then you can use a hose to siphon the water off of the cover. The pool’s leaf net skimmer works great with removing the leaves.
Once the cover is clear then you can remove it. Take care not to let any remaining debris or water dump into the pool as you pull the cover off. Spread the cover out in a flat area. Hose it down with soap or vinyl cleaner and water and let it dry completely before storing it.
Now you have your first glance at your pool water. Hopefully, your water is clear with some dirt on the bottom. If it’s not, don’t worry, it can be fixed. Start to fill the pool with water until it is past the skimmer. While it is filling, Hook up the outflow hose from the skimmer to the pump and tighten the clamps. Clamp the hoses between the pump and the filter and hook the second hose from the filter to the inflow port on the side of the pool and tighten the clamps. Once the water is past the skimmer, you can prime and turn the pump on. Check for leaks around the hoses and gasket sites.
Once the pump is up and running you can vacuum the pool. You should always vacuum the pool before adding chemicals, especially if you have a large amount of leaves or debris on the bottom. Chemicals will break down the leaves causing there to be thousands of little pieces floating around instead of it sitting on the bottom of the pool.
Now you can take a sample of your pool water to be tested. If you don’t have a convenient testing center or pool store near you, you can test it with a home kit. If your water is clear, then you should first test the pH level. Normal range is 7.2-7.8. The pH needs to be within this range in order for any of your chemicals to work. If it is low, then you need an increaser and to also check your alkalinity. If you increase your alkalinity, then your pH will come up also. If your pH is high, then you need to decrease it and check your acid demand. Again, if you lower your acid, then your pH should come down. Once your pH is corrected you can start to add your start up kit. Follow the directions for the kit. It normally includes shock, clarifier, and algaecide.
If your water is green, you have to kill the algae before adding the start up chemicals. A heavy dose of chlorine shock and lowering the pH will accomplish this. Once the algae is killed you will need to brush the bottom and sides of the pool to remove any stains and residue. Your water should be clearing. Vacuum the bottom to remove the algae. Add a water clarifier and let it circulate for 2-4 hours. The clarifier should bind to the particles and make them sink to the bottom. Vacuum again.
The water is now perfectly safe to swim in; however, it is probably freezing. Now is the time to put your solar cover on. All you need are few warm, sunny days to heat your water up. If you use a heater, you don’t even have to wait that long. Now that the hard part is done, kick back and enjoy floating in your crystal, clear water.
