Pool Maintenance in Greater Vancouver
Spring opening for your Swimming Pool
Though some people use their pools all year, most outdoor pools in BC will be 'winterized' and go on hiatus for several months. But when Spring arrives, it's time to get your pool ready for the swimming season. All around the country people are getting their swimming pools in shape for the warm months.
Removing Your Swimming Pool Cover
If you have a solid winter cover, be sure to drain as much of the water sitting on top of the cover as possible before removing it. This is most easily accomplished using a cover pump. Be careful while performing this step as any hole in your pool cover might cause you to pump out more water than you really need to. Once you've drained the water off and removed the pool cover we recommend using a cover cleaner to remove dirt and grime. Make sure your pool cover is dry before folding it and storing it in a dry place until next fall.
Know Your Water Chemistry
Starting up a swimming pool is an important and critical pHase and revolves mainly around getting your water chemistry correct. Water chemistry in your swimming pool, if not maintained properly, can and will damage your costly investment, specifically, the interior finish. Testing Your Swimming Pool Water Knowing the chemistry of the water you will add to your swimming pool is essential. In this case, "an ounce of prevention" will save you the many 'pounds' of cure. The good news is that testing your pool water is easier than ever before! Find a swimming pool water testing method you're comfortable with and record your results.
Maintaining proper pH is crucial
New pool start-ups (and Spring start-ups) need special attention and your swimming pool builder should take time and stress the importance of proper care. Probably the most important area to pay close attention to on start-ups is pH. Think back to your science class as a student and recall the pH scale from 0 to 14. pH determines the acidity of your pool water. Neutral has a pH of 7. If your pH is below 7, your water is acidic, above 7 the water is basic, or alkaline. Proper pH range or balance for you swimming pool is 7.4. The further away from this number your water is, it will cause eye irritation, scaling, pitting of the interior finish, staining, cloudy water and chlorine inefficiency, just to name a few.
Fill 'er up with regular please!
Add enough fresh water to bring your swimming pool to the desired height. Remember that the water you add to your swimming pool may contain minerals. Testing water chemistry after adding water to your swimming pool is an important part of swimming pool maintenance.
Check Your Pool's Equipment & Plumbing
Before you start up your swimming pool pump and filter system be sure that all lines are open. Make sure the pump and skimmer baskets are in place and free from debris. Follow your manufacturers guidelines for starting up your pool heater, pool filter, and pump. Make sure to start each new season with a clean filter.
Remove Debris from The Bottom of Swimming Pool
Remove leaves, twigs and other large debris from the pool's bottom using a leaf rake. If you cannot see the pool bottom it is important that you perform this step especially well. The reason for this is that chlorine shock seeks out contaminants to oxidize including leaves, so much of the chlorine will be consumed if the pool bottom is not well cleaned. A cloudy pool which is free of debris is much easier, and less expensive, to clear up and shock treatment is more effective. Automatic pool cleaners make removing debris from the bottom of your swimming pool easy and help make your pool maintenance routine a success. Taylor Made has several good ones we can recommend. See our Products page.
Start Your Filtration System & Vacuum
Once your swimming pool is full, start the filter and circulate the water. Adding a clarifier chemical at this point will help your filter remove small particles. Next hook up your vacuum. Vacuum the entire pool and brush the walls. Cleaning the cartridge or backwashing are important parts of your pool maintenance routine to keep your pool pump and filter working properly.
Shock Treat your Swimming Pool
When the swimming pool is free of debris and has recirculated overnight shock treat the water by adding 1 pound of chlorinated shock treatment per 10,000 gallons. Be sure to follow label directions for the proper way to introduce the shock treatment to your pool.
Water Stabilization
Swimming pool water needs to be stabilized or "conditioned" to prevent the rapid loss of chlorine by the sun's UV rays. Add the recommended amount of stabilizer by dissolving it in a bucket of water before adding it to the pool. This will help reduce chlorine usage throughout the season.
Chlorinate Your Pool
Now you can chlorinate your swimming pool! When starting your pool for the season, use twice the normal dosage indicated for your pool's capacity or use and automatic feeder. Allow pool water to circulate overnight.
Algae Prevention
Using an algaecide not only kills existing algae but will also prevent algae from entering your pool. Once algae is dead a settling agent can be used to remove it from the pool.
