6 Pool Opening Mistakes You Cannot Ignore

 In Pool Cleaning, Pool Covers, Pool Inspection, Pool Opening

With warm weather fast approaching, pool owners should look forward to kicking off the pool season. But how can you tell if your pool is ready for summer? By being especially careful during your swimming pool opening, because a mistake can cost you time, money, and ultimately a shortened pool season. The service experts at Shoreline Pools share 6 necessary steps to properly open your pool and eliminate mistakes, and future headaches.

1. Clean Your Pool Cover

Your swimming pool cover protects your pool in the off-season. Yet, many pool owners fail to realize that their pool collects debris for months. Before you open your swimming pool for the first time, give it a good rinse to remove debris, mold, and leaves. You do not want any harmful bacteria or debris falling into the pool, so be careful when peeling off your pool cover. When in doubt, have a pool service professional assist with your pool opening to start the season with a crystal clear and clean pool.

2. Vacuum Your Pool

Just as your shower needs a routine cleaning so does your swimming pool. Before you can dip in, use a quality pool vacuum to remove particles of debris and bacteria. Moreover, vacuuming the pool at the start of swim season will do your filtration system justice; you will prevent potential damages to the pool’s filter system resulting from overwork. Further, vacuuming will improve the pool’s circulation to avoid problems with water quality down the line.

Aside from vacuuming the pool, owners should brush the pool ladders, the steps, stairs, and any corners. If bacteria grew during the off-season months, brushing these spots will remove and prevent future buildup. After the initial brushing, owners will want to brush weekly to maintain a beautiful, clear, and clean pool.

3. Check Your Pool’s Filter

All too often, pool owners fail to check equipment before turning on their pool; equipment that may, in fact, need replacing. To ensure no small particles find their way into your pristine pool, make sure the pool filter works properly. Pool filters do much of the heavy lifting to maintain your pool’s sanitization and clarity throughout the season. But over time, pool filters can become clogged with debris and cause a rise in the pool’s pressure system. This can lower circulation and lead to problems with other equipment. After a particularly hard winter, the filter may not start up again. As such, pool owners must inspect their pool’s system thoroughly before using it. When your pool is in use, its common procedure to check the filter weekly.

4. Add Enough Chlorine

Many pool owners fail to add enough chlorine to their pool at the start of swim season. Without chlorine, your swimming pool becomes a breeding ground for algae and other bacteria, turning your pool water green in the blink of an eye. Having a little extra chlorine at the beginning of the season will ensure a clear appearance for your pool opening.

5. Do not Ignore PH Levels

Did you know that low pH levels in a swimming pool will result in acidic water? This is especially harmful as acidic water can lead to eye irritation and removal of the skin’s natural protective oils. Swimming in a pool with a low pH pool for an extended period of time will cause your skin to become dry and flaky. Furthermore, low pH levels also damage the swimming pool structure; the acidity can cause damage to the pool filter, pump, the heater, and the chemical feeder. Fear not, because hiring a professional to maintain the pH levels of your pool, will save you expensive maintenance fees.

6. Shock Your Swimming Pool

Shocking your swimming pool will give your pool the clean kick-start it needs at the beginning of the season. Nonetheless, many pool owners forget just how important this process is. A few days after you’ve removed your pool cover, shock your pool with either chlorinated or non-chlorinated chemical combinations; these potent chemicals destroy contaminants found in the water. To maximize its effectiveness, the time of day you shock your pool is important. Shock your pool when the sun goes down as the UV rays from the sun often burn away some of those chemicals, and lessen their impact on your pool. Be sure to avoid swimming in the pool after you’ve shocked it. The chemicals need 1-2 days work. Just as it’s important to shock your pool, make sure to measure chemical levels after you’ve shocked the pool.

Consult A Top Pool Service Professional For An Easy Pool Opening

Opening your swimming pool doesn’t have to be a complicated or stressful process. In fact, you can open your pool with ease and keep it a clean, fun experience over the summer. Residents in New York and Connecticut consult the top luxury pool professionals at Shoreline Pools today to answer all your pool-opening questions.

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