Author: The Pool Cleaners

As the temperatures start to rise and the days get longer, it’s time to shake off the winter blues and get ready for some fun in the sun. Opening up your swimming pool after the winter might seem like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and a bit of elbow grease, you’ll have your pool sparkling and ready for those hot summer days. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to open your pool, including dosage instructions for maintaining a crystal-clear water oasis. Plus, we’ll introduce you to some of the top-notch chlorine products that will make your pool maintenance a breeze.

Step 1: Remove the Winter Cover

The first step in opening your pool is to carefully remove the winter cover. As you do so, be sure to clean off any debris that may have accumulated on top of the cover. Once the cover is removed, give it a good cleaning and store it in a cool, dry place for future use.

Step 2: Clean and Store Winterizing Equipment

Inspect your winterizing equipment, such as pool plugs and skimmer guards. Clean them thoroughly and store them in a designated area. This ensures that they are ready for use when you close your pool next winter.

Step 3: Reconnect Pool Equipment

Reconnect all the pool equipment, including the pump, filter, and heater. Check for any signs of wear or damage, and replace any parts that may be necessary.

Step 4: Refill the Pool

If you had to drain your pool partially for winterization, now is the time to refill it to the appropriate level. Use a garden hose and keep an eye on the water level as you go.

Step 5: Test and Balance Water Chemistry

Before adding any chlorine products, it’s crucial to test and balance your pool’s water chemistry. Use a reliable pool water testing kit to check the pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels. Adjust these levels as needed to ensure a safe and comfortable swimming environment. For this part you may require:

Swimming pool test strips

PH Increaser or decreaser

TA Increaser or reducer

Step 6: Shock the Pool

To kickstart the sanitization process, use a pool shock treatment. This powerful dose of chlorine eliminates bacteria and contaminants that may have accumulated during the winter months. Follow the dosage instructions on the product packaging for your pool size. For this part you may require:

Liquid chlorine shock or;

Shock chlorine granules

Conclusion:

Congratulations! Your pool is now open and ready for a season of fun in the sun. By following these steps and incorporating top-notch chlorine products into your maintenance routine, you’ll enjoy a sparkling clean pool all summer long. Don’t forget to regularly test and balance your water chemistry, and stay tuned for more pool maintenance tips throughout the season. Happy swimming!

For regular maintenance you may require

Chlorine granules or;

Stabilised chlorine tablets or;

Multi function chlorine tablets

Calcium hardness, a pivotal metric, can make or break your pool’s condition. Proper levels, typically between 200 to 400 ppm, prevent unsightly stains, cloudiness, and scale buildup. With careful control, utilizing treatments like muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate, you can keep surfaces and equipment unblemished, ensuring a safe aquatic haven.

Ensuring a balanced pH level within the pool’s aqueous embrace is paramount. Straddling the range of 7.2 to 7.8, the pH level safeguards both swimmer comfort and the pool’s structural integrity. Unbalanced levels can lead to discomfort, corroded fixtures, and even respiratory woes. Keep your pool’s pH level in check, combatting fluctuations caused by rainwater or evaporation, with regular testing and strategic chemical adjustments.

Often mistaken for pH, total alkalinity is your pool’s unsung hero, maintaining equilibrium and preventing pH swings. A pivotal factor in water balance, it shields against surface damage and ensures consistent water quality. Regular testing and judicious use of acids and bases keep this guardian in check, creating a harmonious environment for swimmers and equipment alike.

The heartbeat of a healthy pool lies in effective disinfection. An art that requires finesse, maintaining optimal disinfection levels combined with efficient circulation and filtration is your ticket to a bacteria and algae-free paradise. While chlorine is the go-to choice, options like bromine, ozone, and saltwater chlorinators showcase their prowess, catering to your pool’s specific needs.

A sanctuary of aquatic bliss demands proper filtration to safeguard you and your loved ones from unwanted contaminants. Filtering mechanisms employ an array of techniques, from trapping particles to innovative flocculation methods, ensuring the water remains pristine. The most prevalent system, sand filtration, acts as a stalwart guardian, while cartridge and DE filters offer unique advantages, perfect for diverse pool types.

Unlocking the Secrets to Pristine Water in Your Swimming Pool

Maintaining the crystalline allure of your swimming pool and banishing debris may seem like a Herculean task, but fear not! Armed with the right knowledge, tools, and strategies, you can effortlessly transform pool maintenance from a daunting chore into a breeze. Join me as we delve into the top-tier tactics to uphold the water quality of your aquatic haven all year round.

See our blog posts for more details on the specific things to target to achieve this.

We are all concerned what we might find when we pull back that winter cover in the spring, the dark green pool of algae is the greatest fear. But dont worry, with the right chemicals it can be turned clear blue in no time. Here is what we do when we are on site dealing with this situation:

• First you would need to check the PH of the pool with some test strips, if it is 7.2-7.6 it will make the shock treatment much more effective.  Apply PH+ or PH- if required.

Deep blue pro ph minus 1kg

Deep blue pro ph plus 1kg

• Shock the pool with either liquid chlorine or shock granules (We normally go with the liquid as it acts quicker):

Relax shock chlorine granules 5kg
or a couple of these:
Certikin 10 ltr sodium hypochlorite 10/11%
If you are have a registered business you can buy the really strong stuff:
Certikin 10 ltr sodium hypochlorite 14/15%

If you can engage the pump it will help to circulate and clear much quicker,
alternatively apply all around the pool and stir with the pool net and pole.

• Once the water is clear I would suggest using a liner cleaner to scrub the walls/floor:

Tile liner cleaner 2 litre

If you dont already have a scrubbing brush attachment for your pole you can find them here:

Graphite 10 Inch wall brush

or the larger (thus quicker) one

Graphite 18 Inch deluxe wall brush

If you often have algae issues you can use:

Certikin 6 Inch algae brush

• To prevent these sorts of issues happening again in the season you might want to consider an algaecide and/or multifunction chlorine tablets with the algaecide built in, such as:

Deep blue pro algaecide 5 litres

Deep blue pro multifunctional 200g chlorine tablets 5kg

• And finally, for the end of the season I would propose a winteriser which is a long lasting shock to ensure it doesn’t go as green next year.:

Blue horizons ultimate winter time 5 litre

Chlorine Tablets are a widely used water disinfectant which kills most viruses and bacteria in water. They can also be used for the treatment of drinking water. These water purification tablets can be used to disinfect water for cleaning and washing fruits and vegetables.

Chlorination of water is one of the worldwide-accepted methods of disinfection and purification of water, so you can make it potable. For inexpensive, economical, and timely purification of drinking water, in accordance with the various schemes of protected water supply in rural areas, Chlorine Tablets are highly effective.

This is the easiest method of disinfection and purification of water. The solution contains very low levels (less than 0·5 micrograms per litre), therefore you do not need any special equipment or chemicals available nowadays.