It’s that time of year again - now that the warm weather is here, it’s time to open up your pool! We here at ePoolSupply have provided this blog post as a general guide for you to take the first steps toward a summer of fun in your outdoor oasis, so take a moment to read through this post to get an idea of what steps are required to start the process of opening your pool!
The Initial Steps for Opening Your Pool
Opening your pool up doesn’t have to be a hassle. Simply follow these easy actions to prepare your pool for the swimming season.
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Check Your Filter System: Your first step is going to be to check your filter system, meaning you will need to inspect your filter for leaks or cracks that may cause issues once you start utilizing the filter daily.
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Clean Your Filter: Next, you will want to clean your filter. If you own a DE or sand filter, you will need to backwash your filter; if you have a cartridge filter, you will need to rinse or replace the cartridges.
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Check the O-Rings: Your system may have worn o-rings that need to be replaced. If they appear cracked or worn, consider replacing the o-ring so your system will run smoothly the whole way through swim season.
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Time to Shock Your Pool: May is the perfect month to begin regular shock treatments to get a head start on sanitizing your pool. Chlorine shock will break down any contaminants that have accumulated during the winter months and will prevent algae growth.
The Importance of Stabilizer Levels
If you are using unstabilized chlorine or a salt system, be certain to check the cyanuric acid (CYA), otherwise known as pool conditioner, levels in your water before swimming. Without enough CYA, the sun and heat will destroy fully one-half of your chlorine in only seventeen minutes. When you use pool conditioner, the chlorine you put into your pool will last approximately five times longer than unstabilized chlorine. The levels of CYA in your pool will vary depending on whether you have a salt pool or not. If you do not have a salt pool, keep your levels between 30-50 ppm; should you have a salt pool, your levels should be between 60-80 ppm. If your pool conditioner levels are too high, you may experience algae growth and/or cloudy pool water.
Some chlorine varieties are already stabilized and do not require a pool conditioner - popular variations include trichlor and dichlor granules. If you use liquid chlorine, you will most likely require CYA.
Get Your Pool Equipment at ePoolSupply
Whether you are a new pool owner or have been enjoying your outdoor paradise for many years, you will want to outfit your pool with the best equipment for you and your pool. For over 25 years, ePoolSupply has been the leading supplier of pool equipment and parts. Get everything from cleaners, filters, heaters, and more. We even have a selection of YouTube videos meant to assist you in getting to know and maintaining your pool products. Check out our YouTube channel today!
With extensive experience in pool repair and maintenance, our experts are here to help you through the process of opening your pool for the season. Give us a call at 602-274-7946 or send us an email at support@epoolsupply.com.