|
Caring for Your Above
Ground Pool
The job of bringing your above
ground pool back from its winter holiday can be made much easier if
you carefully plan.
The last thing you want to deal with this spring
is figuring out you are one bag short of shock in the middle of
prepping the pool. Your first step to opening your pool each spring
should be to make a complete list of all the chemicals you will
need.
Your pool will have its own unique needs when it comes to chemicals.
While this article can give you general information, you should
always refer to your pool and pump manuals to get specific
information about the required amount of chemicals. Almost every
pool owner will need a chemical test kit, pH increase and decrease,
sanitizing cartridge for the cartridge filters, some form of
chlorine, and some form of shock.
Your next step should be to check all your hoses, gaskets, o-rings,
skimmer baskets, and clamps to see if any items need to be replaced.
If they do need to be replaced, take one with you to the pool supply
store so you are able to find a perfect match. Now you are ready to
go shopping for all your needed supplies.
Once you have everything you will need to finish the job it is time
to jump right in, not to your pool but to getting your pool ready.
You will want to recruit someone to help you with the next step,
which is removing the pool cover. It is always best to remove any
standing water from an above ground pool cover with a siphon hose.
You can hook your hose up to the water spigot in order to get a
siphon started. The other end of the hose should be placed in the
water on the pool cover. You will want to fill the hose with water
from the spigot, then crimp the end about a foot from the spigot,
turn the hose off, and disconnect it. Once the hose is positioned at
the downspout, you can release the crimp and the water will quickly
siphon off the pool cover. Once the water has been removed you will
want to remove any leaves, branches, or other debris that has
collected on the pool cover. When it is as clean as possible you
should remove your cover springs or weights. You will need your
helper at this point to help ensure that the pool cover does not
sink into the water. You can help to keep the water clean by folding
the cover upon itself, just as you would a blanket. Prior to placing
your cover in storage for the summer you should give it a thorough
cleaning and let it dry completely.
Once the pool is uncovered it is time to attach all the hoses. Use
petroleum jelly to lubricate o-rings, valves, fittings, and plugs.
If you installed freeze plugs last winter, be sure to remove them
now. Be sure that the water comes to the halfway point of the
skimmer, if it does not you will need to add more water.
You can now begin circulating water through the pool and check for
any leaks in the hoses or pump. You should remove as much debris as
you can with your skimmer net as soon as you know that your pool is
leak free. You can now begin to prime the pool pump with all the
valves open to flood the hoses. Check with your pool manual, but
most will recommend that the water be circulated for at least three
days without interruption. You can use the broom attachment of your
pools vacuum to remove any scum that is on the sides and bottom of
the pool.
Once you have removed any scum and debris it is time to see if your
filter needs cleaning. There are different types of filters, so be
sure to clean a dirty filter according to the products directions.
You are ready to super shock your water as soon as the filter has
been cleaned. Again, you will want to refer to your pool and pump
instruction manuals for the proper amounts of shock. The clearer the
water the less shock you are likely to need. If you start with green
water it can take a couple of days before the water runs clear. You
should test the water as soon as it looks clear. Keep the water
circulating and add any necessary chemicals to bring your pool into
proper balance. As soon as the water is safe and warm it is time to
jump on in.
|
|
