Getting Your Pool Ready to Use

Proper pool care is crucial if you own (or take care of) a pool. It ensures that the water is safe and that the pool itself stays in good condition. When you are ready to begin using your pool for the summer, follow these guidelines for getting your pool ready to use.

 

-         Take a quart of water to your authorized pool dealer. He will analyze the water and tell you what adjustments need to be made so that the water will be chemically balanced.

 

In order to get an authentic sample of the pool water, follow these steps:

·        Rinse the bottle with pool water.

·        Hold the bottle upside down as you dip the bottle in the pool.

·        Once the bottle is completely submerged under the water, turn it right-side up again.

 

-         Make sure that the pool is working correctly.

·        Check to see that the filter and pump are properly working.

·        Clean the hair and lint trap.

·        Make sure that the water is able to flow properly.

·        Remove algae and any other debris that is present in the pool.

·        Inspect the jets; they should be at a forty-five degree angle.

 

-         Once the pool is clean, use products recommended by your pool dealer to balance the water chemically.

·        pH: The pH level of your pool water is the most important part of the chemical balance. It demonstrates how acidic or basic your water is. Pool water should be at a level of 7.2 – 7.4 on the pH scale. If the level is higher than this, the chlorine will be neutralized. If it is lower, it will cause irritation of the eyes. Because the pool’s pH level will gradually increase, it should be checked once a week.

·        Total Alkalinity: The total alkalinity of a pool hinders significant changes in the pH level of the water. It should be 50 – 130 ppm (parts per million).   Too much total alkalinity causes the pH level to rise, while too little causes the pH to vary from high to low. If the level is too high, add muriatic acid to the deep end of the pool while the circulation is off. Leave the pump off for one hour before restarting it.

·        Calcium Hardness: When you measure calcium hardness, you are checking to see how much calcium is dissolved into your pool’s water. Ideally, the amount should be between 200 and 1000 ppm. Keeping calcium hardness balanced is important in order to prevent corrosion. You can add calcium to your pool if the CH level is too low. If there is too much calcium, you can simply add water to fix the problem.

·        Cyaniuric Acid/Stablizer: Cyanuric acid is a coarse chemical powder that keeps the sun from dissolving chlorine too quickly. The ideal level of cyanuric acid is 40 – 80 ppm. However, when a pool is first opened, it should contain 80 ppm of cyanuric acid.

 

-         Once all of this has been completed – the pool cleaned and the chemicals balanced – chorine should be added to the water to keep the pool from bacteria and other germs. When getting the pool ready for the summer, twice as much chlorine as normal will have to be added to the water.