Opening the Pool, Starting Up the Pool, Spring Pool Openings, Swimming Pool Maintenance, Pool Care Guide

Opening my Pool

At the beginning and end of the summer season it is helpful to have a professional look after your specific needs to ensure you can continue to enjoy a trouble-free and efficient pool for years to come.

In the springtime, we open your pool and get it ready for a long (hopefully!) and enjoyable season. We would carry out some or all of the following dependent on your own specific requirements:

Opening of pool
Remove winter cover
re-assemble pump and all fittings
Re-assemble fittings & Refill filter etc
Re fill pool as appropriate
Shock dose, clean and clarify
Ensure pool chemistry is in balance
Clean all fittings
Test all plant and fittings
Dose and balance pool to safe standards
Fire up the boiler

Each pool is different and treatments vary, so we would carry out a full assessment on the best way to get your pool ready for use and quote you as appropriate. Depending on the state of the pool in the spring, the whole process is normally completed in a few days.

Step 1. Remove Your Cover

To make removal of your cover easier, be sure to drain as much water off the top of the cover as possible. Slowly remove your cover so that unwanted debris (leaves, twigs, etc.) that has accumulated on your cover over the winter does not fall into your pool. To further extend the life of your pool cover, thoroughly remove any dirt and grime from your cover with a mild soap and rinse with your garden hose. To prevent the cover form sticking or forming mildew, let it dry completely before storing it for the swimming season.

Step 2. Connect Your Pool Equipment

If your filtration system was cleaned before closing your pool in the fall, then attach the hoses and open all valves. If your system needs to be cleaned or the sand needs to be replaced, now is the time to do it. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines to accurately ready your pump, filter and heater for the swimming season. Be sure to lubricate all o-rings with water-based lubricant, free skimmer basket and lint pot of debris and remove all winterising plugs. Vacuum out the lines or let it drain into the pool.

Step 3. Add Water

Begin adding water until ¾ of the skimmer is covered.

Step 4. Clean Your Pool

Once the pool is filled, it is time to skim and vacuum. Chemicals are much more effective if the pool is clear of debris. Clarifiar will help your filter remove small particles that ordinary vacuuming can’t pick up.

Step 5. Adjust Your Pool’s pH & Alkalinity Levels

pH is the most important component of your pool water. The pH level must be between 7.2 and 7.6. This can be accomplished with pH Increaser or pH Reducer To keep your pool’s pH from fluctuating, maintain an Alkalinity level of 80-120 parts per million (ppm). Use CLEARPOOLS Alkalinity Increaser or pH Reducer to control your alkalinity level.

Step 6. Shock Your Pool

Step 7. Stabilize Your Pool

To make swimming safe and economical, maintain proper levels of sanitizer with CLEARPOOLS Chlorine or Bromine. The chlorine level must read between 1-3 ppm and bromine must be between 2-4 ppm. Chlorine can be added in tablet, stick or granular form. Bromine is only available in tablet form and requires an automatic feeder for dispensing.

Step 8. Sanitize Your Pool

To prevent the rapid loss of chlorine, add Stabilizer at a rate of 2-1/2 lbs. per 10,000 gallons. Completely dissolve the required amount of Stabilizer in a bucket of water and add to pool water.

Step 9. Add Algaecide

Add algaecide as a preventative measure for keeping your water free of algae. CLEARPOOLS offers several types of Algaecides at different concentrations to help fight off those pesky algae blooms!

Step 10. CLEARPOOLS Start-Up Kits

Our kits save you time and money! CLEARPOOLS offers the kits that will suit your pool. Each kit includes the necessary chemicals for getting your pool ready for the swimming season. The CLEARPOOLS Start-Up Kits include:

Chlorine Shock
Algaecide
Stain, Rust & Scale Preventor
Clarifier

In order for your pool to look its best and be safe to swim in, you must practice routine maintenance procedures. Following these easy guidelines will keep your pool running smoothly all season!

Some other services available if required

As with any facility in your home, there are times when a degree of upgrading is required and for swimming pools, it is no different. Our extensive experience means that we have the capability and knowledge to carry out any type of refurbishment you may require. Typical projects undertaken include the following:

Acid and power wash to pool surrounds, pathways and patios
Tile and/or grout replacement
Boiler and other plant servicing
Replacing and fitting new-for-old pipe work
Sourcing and replacement of any plant, filter, pump etc
Fitting of new pool covers etc
Filter media changing
Training (ideal when moving to a house with a pool)
Leak investigation

Should you require any of these services or would like any advice on how to make the most of your pool, then please call us and again for HONEST advise 020 8393 2193.