Getting Your Pool Ready for a Summer of Fun
Getting excited to open your beautiful backyard pool for swimming season? After waiting for the long, cold winter to finally end, you’ll probably be antsy to get the pool out of its hibernation mode and into the sun ready for you, your family, and your friends. However, you can’t just roll up the cover and jump in after months of no use—particularly if all the water was drained out.Opening your pool for the new swimming season involves getting your pool ready for swimming again. There are actually a few steps involved in making sure your pool is ready. First, it’s better to start early. As soon as winter melts into spring, and when the weather warms up a bit and it’s a bit less mucky, it’s time to start cleaning your pool, whether it’s empty or filled with old water from last season. Most pool owners work with leftover water rather than dumping and refilling.
You’ll need to clean the debris off the pool cover before removing it, which will reduce the amount of debris that ends up falling into the pool. Then, remove the pool cover and clean it. Next, get your trusty pool net to scoop out as many leaves and bugs and as much dirt, debris, and other clutter out of the pool as possible. If there’s no water in the pool, clean out the bottom of the pool, then add fresh water.
Next, buy some fresh pool supplies to clean the water and remove algae. If you have old supplies that are still usable and not expired, you can try those, but for best results, new supplies are always better. Read the instructions before use, and then follow them. Always double check instructions, even if you think you remember what to do. After adding the cleaning supplies, restart the pool pump and filter and check the water level. You should also inspect all your pool equipment for any leaks, broken parts, tears, or cracks.
Hire a professional who will make sure everything is in good working order before you “officially” open your pool for the swim season, after you’ve completed the other steps yourself. Hiring a professional pool contractor to thoroughly inspect your pool will give you the reassurance and peace of mind you need to ensure everything is safe, ready, and good to go. If you don’t have a pool contractor, look for one in your area. Try the local business listings and compare prices and services offered, or you can ask around for a recommendation.
The pool contractor should inspect the pool water carefully, making sure the water level is right and testing the chemical balance of the pool, and then make any changes or give suggestions as necessary. Balancing the water and its chemicals is a fairly complicated process, and it’s best to leave this up to a professional, rather than trying this yourself. The contractor should also check for any leaks, tears, rips, cracks, or broken parts in the pool, the liner, filter, and pool pump, and make any repairs as necessary, and ensure everything is in good condition before giving you the thumbs-up approval.
If you’re slightly on the “lazy” side and you’ve got the extra money, you may want to consider hiring a pool contractor or pool service team to complete the entire process—from the unearthing and original cleaning to the chemicals balance and final inspection. Although this will certainly cost you more, it will be much more convenient for you, save you time, and you won’t have to wonder if you did everything correctly or properly.
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