Prep Your Pool for the Summer

Prep Your Pool: Remove the pool cover

The first step to pool prep is removing the cover, making sure that any debris doesn’t fall into the water. Once the cover is off and cleaned, store it in a cool dry place. It is important that you have a cover to protect your pool during the off season, so if you don’t have one, consider investing in one.

Check the pool's color

Once the cover is removed, get a good look at the water and understand the color of the water. Ideally, it should be relatively clear, however, if it is green or black that means that you can’t go in the water for a few weeks due to the presence of bacteria.

Prep Your Pool: Clean and vacuum the pool

Give your pool a good cleaning using the pool vacuum and skimmer net to remove any leaves, dirt, or debris from the water.

Test and balance the water chemistry

Maintaining a proper balance of the water’s pH, chlorine, alkalinity, cyanuric acid, and calcium hardness is vital to a safe pool environment. If you have a saltwater pool, it is also crucial to test for salt parts per million. Having the water tested at someplace like a swimming pool store can be an easy and relatively cheap way to make sure that the water is professionally tested and to better understand the recommended guidelines and adjustments for your specific type of water chemistry. Remember: handle all pool chemicals cautiously.

Shock the pool

Shocking your pool is another vital step to prep your pool. It keeps the water safe for swimmers by adding a high dosage of chlorine to kill any bacteria or algae that could have manifested over the off season. Before shocking your pool, try to clean the sides and bottom for any buildup to make the process easier. Make sure you understand the type of water and pool system you have in your space as it will affect the shocking instructions.

Check and maintain the water level

It is important to make sure that the water is at the correct level, so you can add or drain the water accordingly. However, be careful to never empty your swimming pool because of the risk that draining the pool brings, such as the pool lifting out of the ground because it is not weighed down by the water.

Prep Your Pool: Inspect and clean the pool equipment and features

Check your pool equipment to make sure it is not damaged or worn and will last the rest of the summer. Also, clean the pool filter before you turn it on, or replace if needed. Then, inspect the safety features of your pool such as ladders or gates to make sure everything is safe.

Maintain regular pool maintenance

Once you have done all of these steps, your pool is ready to be opened this summer. Create a maintenance routine to keep up the safety of the pool such as skimming the pool and checking the water chemistry. Consider professional servicing to prep your pool and handle routine maintenance if you don’t have the time or want an expert's opinion.

If you have any questions about your pool, reach out today!