Summer is quickly approaching and for many that means pool time!
If you’re like us, nothing beats a relaxing afternoon of swimming and sun. It’s important that you make sure your pool is well-maintained and ready for swimming.
If you still need to prepare your pool for summer fun, read on for a quick rundown of everything you’ll need to do to get your pool ready for the summer.
No Need To Empty Your Pool
Let’s clear up a common misconception right away: There’s no need to empty your pool at the end of swimming season.
In fact, doing so could cause any number of issues, especially if you live in an area with a high water table. Should you empty the pool in a high water table, you run the risk of your pool popping out of the ground.
So what should you do with your pool in the offseason? We recommend sticking to a simple pool cover. That way you can keep debris away from your pool while maintaining a safe water level.
Preparing Your Pump And Filter
Aside from the water itself, no element of your pool is more important than its cleaning system.
To ensure safe summer swimming, it’s best to clean and test your pump and filter. While it may sound like a chore, the process is quite simple.
First, top off your pool if necessary. If you’re unsure about how full your pool needs to be, there’s an easy way to tell.
Take a quick glance at your pool’s skimmer, which is the pool’s gutter system, often found at the side of the pool. If the water level is halfway up the floating weir, you’re good to go. Otherwise, keep filling the pool until water flows into the skimmer.
Once your pool’s water level is adequate, it’s time to remove the filter cartridge. Grab a hose and rinse the cartridge until all debris is gone. This can take quite a while so be patient.
Before you run the pump, make sure to remove any debris from the pool. Even with a cover, a stray leaf or two can make its way into the water and damage your pool.
Place the cartridge back into the filter and let the pump run for 8 to 12 hours, checking the pump every so often. Ensure the water flow is adequate and adjust pump pressure if necessary.
Test Your Pool’s pH Balance
Cleaning chemicals such as chlorine ensure that a pool’s water quality is safe for the whole family. Make sure to test your pool’s pH level before your first swim of the season.
The ideal pH balance is between 7.2 and 7.6, though some experts claim that anything from 7.2 to 7.8 is acceptable.
A pH balance higher than 7.8 puts swimmers at risk of skin irritation, while a lower pH balance has the potential to ruin the lining of your pool.
If you’re unsure of how to test your pool’s acidity, call your local pool cleaning service for some assistance. Basic measurements aren’t always accurate and acidity is something that you need to be careful with at all times.
Enjoy Your Pool for the Summer
With all of the hard work and preparation out of the way, the only thing left to do is enjoy your pool for the summer!
Make sure to test and maintain your pool three to four times per week. Everything from rainfall to the oils in our skin affects a pool’s chemical make-up.
Mirage Pool Services offers everything you need for safe summer swimming. Why risk it? Get in touch with the pros and let us help.
Mirage Pool Services specializes in pool maintenance, equipment repairs and replacement, chlorine washes, draining pools and pool startups in the Moreno Valley and Riverside, California areas.