Opening up your pool is an exciting part of your late spring and early summer. In order to make the most out of your swimming season, it’s smart to make sure you’re doing everything correctly. In our first article in this season, we reminded pool owners not to completely empty their pools unless it’s absolutely necessary, and to make sure to clean and start running the filtration system. Once those steps are done, it’s time to top off your pool water and chemically test the water.
Fill the Pool Up
You’ll probably notice that throughout the winter your pool’s water level has dropped. After you’ve cleaned the filter thoroughly you can go ahead and fill your pool up to a desirable level for swimming. The process of cleaning a filter will differ depending on the type of system you have. With a D.E. filter, you’ll want to disassemble it, give it a good cleaning, then put it back together. Sand filters can be cleaned by simply putting them on the backwash setting. Once the sand is clean you can return the filter back to the normal setting. Cartridge filters have to be taken out and cleaned by spraying them with a hose.
Get Your Pool Water Professionally Tested
For most of the year, you should be able to get by with testing your pool water on your own using at-home tests. For the beginning of the season, however, it may be wise to take a sample to a pool store for an in-depth chemical test. This professional test will cover pH, chlorine levels, alkalinity, and mineral content. It’s very thorough. After the test is complete, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge you need to make any necessary chemical additions to your pool water.
Buy Several Pool Chemistry Testing Kits
As we already mentioned, you should continue to test your pool water periodically throughout the season. You can speak to a pool care specialist at your local pool supply store to find out how often they recommend that you test your pool. It’s often recommended that you test the water several times per week to make sure it’s properly balanced and safe for swimming.
Do-It-Yourself pool water test kits are easy to use. They come with a set of strips that you simply dip into the pool. After dipping a strip, hold it up to the color chart that comes with the kit. If it matches in color, your water is fine. If not, the colors indicated on the test will reveal which chemicals are out of balance and what you should do to correct the problem. These tests are a great way to keep track of your pool’s pH and chlorine levels throughout the season.
Keeping your pool’s chemicals in the proper balance is one of the most important tasks you have as a responsible pool owner. Not only does it prevent harmful bacteria from growing in the water, but it can also protect and extend the life of your pool as well. In our next article, we’ll take a closer look at balancing your pool chemicals as you open your pool up for the year.
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