1. Clean Your Cover
This first step is an extremely important, and often overlooked, aspect to getting your pool ready for warmer weather. Many people are so excited to take a look at their greatly missed pool that they just pull the cover right off. The first thing that needs to be done is a total and very careful cleaning of the cover. From the wind, rain, and possibly snow, there’s most likely tons of debris lying on top of your pool cover. Carefully removed the old leaves, twigs, and dirt from your pool cover with a rake. It’s best to use a plastic or wooden rake in this case, as you don’t want to run the risk of tearing your pool cover. You also want to be sure to not upset the pool cover too much – you run the risk of that rotten debris falling into the water. If you totally emptied your pool, there are some things you need to look for. If the pool was empty all winter, you need to check for cracks or lifting. The absence of water weight in the pool can actually be detrimental to the longevity of your pool – the weight is needed to keep the foundation inside the pool.
2. Check the Water
Now that you’ve removed the gunk from your pool cover and properly stored it for next winter, it’s time to check your water. The condition of your water probably won’t look so great – remember you’ve just opened it after months of cold weather and storms. There’s bound to be plenty of leaves, sticks, and even some algae floating around in the water. This doesn’t mean your pool cover didn’t do a good job, just that these things naturally get into the untended water after a few months. You can use your rake to get the bigger debris, and then finish off with a pool skimmer to get the harder to reach algae. Make sure to carefully inspect the walls and floor of your pool for algae or moss growth. If there is any sign of growth, you’ll need to employ your pool vacuum for the bottom of the pool and scrub the sides with a sponge. Mostly importantly, make sure you’ve done a thorough job in getting all of the bigger debris out of the water – you run the risk of clogging your pool vacuum if there are still large piles of debris floating in the water. Also, don’t forget to clean the surrounding areas around your pool. This reduces the chances of those stubborn leaves and twigs from getting back into your just cleaned water.
3. Review your Filter and Pipes
During the winter, you may have disassembled your pool pump and filter. You’ll now have to properly put that important equipment back together. Make sure you securely fit the filter and pipes back together – but avoid over tightening, as you could cause screws or brackets to strip. Be sure you’re keeping your eye out for any rusty parts. If screws or brackets have rusted from the winter wear and tear, you can easily replace these at your local pool care store. For your filter, you may need to replace cartridges or other components. It’s a good idea to start out with a brand new filter to ensure any contaminants that may have accumulated in the water are fully filtered out. Once all of the components are rebuilt and leak-free, you can start running your filtration system!
4. Maintain a Chemical Balance
The final step in prepping your pool for a summer swim is to check and maintain a proper balance of chemicals in your pool water. Unfortunately, you can’t just jump into your pool. It may look clean and inviting after you’ve thoroughly cleaned and filtered the water, but the chemical balance is most likely off since it’s been dormant for so many months. You should invest in a water testing kit, or consult a professional to achieve the perfect balance of chemicals in the water. Your alkaline and pH levels need to be just right before the proper amount of chlorine can be added to the water. The levels of your water are extremely important to ensure a long and safe summer swim time. If you’re still unsure about the proper way to prepare your pool for summer, consult a professional pool care company in your area. Happy summer swimming!
