When spring comes around, it’s time to start thinking about pool parties and having fun in the sun. Especially after a cold winter, your backyard pool can be an enticing place to hang out—but there are some things you need to do to prepare for those pool parties to come.
Here are some tips on how to get your pool ready after winter, including how to de-winterize a pool.
Getting the pool ready after winter
Odds are, you didn’t use your pool much over the winter. In fact, you may have taken steps to keep things (and people) out of the pool over the season. That means you don’t want to just jump right in when the warm season comes back around. There are some steps you need to take to get it ready for spring, and it’s recommended that these steps be taken at least a week before you’re going to be using it.
One step is to give the pool a skim and a vacuum. Even if it wasn’t used, it will probably have accumulated some debris and maybe even some grime. Skimming will get the large debris out of the pool like leaves and fallen insects. Running the vacuum for at least a full day will help clean the surfaces of the pool at the bottom where grime may have collected over the winter.
It’s also advisable to clean out the pool filter and rinse it out with a hose. You should take these steps before adding any necessary chemicals to ensure that they will be most effective.
Once you’ve cleaned the pool, it’s time to test the water. This will determine if you need to add chemicals to adjust chlorine, pH or water-hardness levels. The pH level should be between 7.4 and 7.6, and chlorine should be between 1 and 3 PPM (parts per million). Water hardness should be between 150 and 400 PPM. Make sure the pump is running when you add chemicals so they circulate evenly throughout the pool.
When the water’s ready, you may want to consider cleaning the pool accessories. Floaties, pool noodles, beach balls and diving toys should all be cleaned off to make sure your pool stays clean when these toys are used. You should also clean the cover at this time, as it will last longer if it’s put away clean rather than if it stays dirty in storage.
How to de-winterize a pool
De-winterizing a pool is part of the process of getting your pool ready after winter. To do this, you should first drain the cover with a pool drain pump or an electrical drain pump with a garden hose attached to it. Then fill the pool pump and filter with water, adding more sand as needed. Finally, fill the pool with water to its usual level, and you’ll be ready to start the cleaning process mentioned above.
When spring rolls around, it’s time to start enjoying your pool again. If you need any pool services to help you get started, contact Arizona Pool & Pond Company today.