Change The Sand Or The Filter Cartridge
We recommend you change the sand inside your pool filter every four years or sooner if you notice any algae or dust appearing shortly after you sweep the liner. Check your filter manufacturers guide to find out what sand they recommend and how much to use. An 85% silica sand that is washed, calibrated, and treated is a good choice because it is resistant to chemicals. Dont use construction or beach sand.
If you have a cartridge filter, clean it or replace it. The cartridge should be replaced every one to three years depending on how often you use the pool, if any oils or sun screens get in it, and if there are any trees above the pool. Insiders tip: Its time to replace the cartridge of your pressure gauge reads a higher pressure than what is recommended in the filter manual.
Pool Skimmers And Returns
If your pools filter is its liver, then your skimmers and returns are its veins and arteries. Your skimmersnot to be confused with a net skimmer, the cleaning tool attached to a telescoping polepull water into the filter for cleaning, while the returns push the cleaned water back into your pool. And like your veins and arteries, they work best when theyre clean and clear of obstructions.
No two pools are alike, and youll no doubt encounter pool maintenance challenges specific to your pool as time goes on. But if youve got a firm grasp on these four pool components, youll be well equipped to face down most upkeep challenges.
Test And Treat The Water
Run the filter for 12 to 24 hours to mix up the old and new water before testing or adding chemicals. After that, you’ll want to use a pool testing kit. Be sure to check the expiration date on your testing strips or reagents and replace any that have expired. Start by testing four key parameters:
Now it’s time to shock the pool, or super chlorinate it with chlorine or a shock treatment to destroy those pesky algae and microorganisms.
At this pointdepending on the results of your pool test kit, your preferences, the advice of a pool service professional, etc.you might want to add other treatments to your water. These might include a stabilizer, conditioner, or algicide.
Allow the filter to run another 24 hours and test again before letting anyone enter the pool.
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Reinstall Skimmer Baskets And Return Jets
Its almost time to start up your pool. Before you flip the switch, you’ll want to remove the ice compensators from the skimmer put your skimmer baskets back and screw in the return jet eyeball fittings that direct water into your pool.
At this point, you should also check your water level. If its not at its normal level, add water to your pool.
Get Your Marketing Plan In Place
Common marketing techniques for a pool hall can involve hosting tournaments and running special offers to get more people in the door. Social media marketing and online advertising can be an effective way to reach your customer base, as well as flyers and postcard mailers. Developing a website can also be a significant expense, but it can also give your pool hall greater visibility online. Your outdoor signage will also be important to attract attention.
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Remove Plugs And Ice Compensator
When you closed your inground swimming pool for the winter, you blew out the pipes and installed winterizing plugs to prevent water from getting back into them and freezing. Youll need to walk around the pool and remove all those plugs.
You should see some bubbles as the pool water flows back into the pipes. This is normal. Whether you used an ice compensator or a soda bottle, youll need to remove it and the winterizing plugs from your skimmer.
Remove Any Winter Protection
- Use a pump to remove excess water from your cover and use a soft broom to remove as much leaf residue and other debris as you can.
- Carefully remove your cover and use the skimmer net to collect any debris that falls into the water. Clean your cover with gentle soap and water and let it dry before storing it.
- Remove the caps from the water returns and replace them with the appropriate valves. Remove the cover from the skimmer and replace the basket.
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Clean Your Pool Cover
Before you open your pool, you need to get the winter cover off of it. To avoid dropping anything into the pool, including bacteria that you might not be able to see, use your pool cover pump and a leaf net to remove the water and debris on top. Let the cover air dry, though you can use a blower to speed the process along if you really want to, then use your brush to get anything remaining.
Clean And Remove The Cover
Use a skimmer net or a soft broom to get the debris off the winter pool cover. The pool cover pump should then be used to remove the water collected in the cover. Ask your friends help to carefully remove the cover. You should keep the cover cleaner from getting into the pool water. Place the removed cover on a flat surface. Get the cover cleaned nicely with the soap, dry it, and then store it.
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A Guide To Opening Your Pool In Time For The Warm Weather
You and your pool have made it through yet another frigid Canadian winter, and the time has come to lift off the pool cover and de-winterize it for another season of enjoyment.
But getting your pool ready for summer involves so much more than just taking off the cover and readjusting your pool chemicals.
To help you prep your pool so its sparkling clean and ready to use come the first warm days of summer, read on to learn the steps to a successful pool opening.
Inspect The Pool And Its Parts
Take a good look at the pool. Is the cover attached properly? Does anything look broken, crooked, or out of place? Is the water level abnormally low after winter? If so, you might have a leak. Check that the following parts are in good working order:
- Pump motor
- Skimmer and water return
- Pressure gauge
Change or repair anything that seems worn out, cracked, or broken and anything that is making too much noise, like your pool motor.
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How You’ll Save Time
Running your NFL Survivor Pool has never been so easy:
- No more collecting picks from your members. Members login to the website directly to make their picks.
- No more error-ridden or illegible pick sheets.
- No more tabulating strikes and who has been eliminated. Pool standings are automatically updated.
- No more need to distribute standings. Members simply login to the site to see updates.
Apply For Business Licenses And Permits
You may need to obtain certain business licenses and permits. These permits and licenses can vary based on the state and town where the business is located. Check with your state for specific license and permit requirements for your pool hall. You will need a liquor license for your bar. Some other common local, state, and federal registrations a pool hall may need include a sales tax permit and an Employer Identification Number.
Related: Common business licenses, permits, and registrations by state
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Clean And Store Your Pool Cover
With your cover folded up, have your friend help you move it to your yard, and spread it out flat. That small step will help make your pool cover cleaning easier and go much more quickly. Apply pool cover cleaner or car wash soap and use a soft broom to scrub it gently. Avoid using any abrasive or sharp tools or harsh chemical cleaners, which could destroy your pool cover.
Rinse away all the cleaner or soap. Dry the cover with a towel or leaf blower before folding it up again. Store the cover inside a storage bag or heavy-duty container with a lid. And voilà! Your pool cover cleaning is done!
Important: Do not store your pool cover on the ground or the floor of your shed or garage. Thats just an invitation for bugs, rodents, and other pests to make their home in it over the summer. Then, when it comes time to close your pool, youll be buying a new cover.
Tip: If you used water weights, empty them and allow them to dry completely before storing.
Clean And Store The Cover
After removing the cover, take it to a driveway or other hardscaped area, preferably on a slant or slope for easier drainage. Thoroughly sweep and hose off the cover and use cleaner or treatment if its recommended by the cover manufacturer. Allow it to dry completely before storing. Tightly roll or fan-fold the cover and wrap with rope or use strapping to keep it tight. Store the pool cover indoors or in a garageaway from insects, rodents, and moisture.
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Remove Leaves & Water From Your Pool Cover
- iSwitch technology turns pump on and off by sensing the presence of water
- Plug in and leave the pump unattended for worry-free water removal
Over the winter, leaves, rainwater and debris tend to collect and weigh your pool cover down, making it impossible to remove on your own.
Hopefully, youve been using an automatic pool cover pump all winter and this isnt an issue for you. But in case you havent, its time to get it out now.
You can use any type of pool cover pump you like, but go ahead and plug it in and let it get your cover as dry as possible.
This will make it easier for you to remove it and will also keep the debris and dirty water from getting dumped in your pool.
Otherwise, you can use a simple leaf net to scoop up the debris.
Once its as dry as you can get it, use your pool brush to sweep off any leaves and debris left on top.
Another way to do this is with a leaf blower.
Remove Any Pool Accessories
Leaving things installed around your pool like ladders and rails can cause three problems.
The prolonged exposure to chemicals during winter can damage the finishes on items like this. They may even rust, which means the rust will get into your pool, which means you have another problem to deal with when you open.
Also, when you cover your pool, you want it completely covered. Unless you know a master custom pool cover maker who can create one that fits securely, even around ladders and rails, removing them will allow the cover to fit properly and protect your pool better.
Finally, if your pool is not securely and completely covered, it leaves room for debris, but more importantly, small animals and possibly even children to fall into the pool. Removing accessories ensures the pool is completely covered, and can help prevent tragic accidents.
Once youve removed your accessories, clean and dry them thoroughly, then store them in a clean, dry place. Keep them out of direct sunlight to minimize potential weather damage.
Also be sure to remove the fittings from the return lines, including the line for your automatic cleaner, if you have one. Then pull out and clean your skimmer baskets. You can toss the fittings into the clean skimmer basket to help you keep track of them.
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How Long Does It Take A Pool To Clear Up After Opening
This depends on where you start. First and foremost, if you closed your pool properly, you should be in pretty good shape. If you can see the bottom of the pool, you may only need to wait about 24 hours for the pool to clear. If you cant see the first step, you may need to wait a little longer.
If you followed the steps above, your pool should be crystal clear within several days. But if your water still looks green, despite following directions, you may need to balance the water. You may also need to check that your filters are functioning properly. A malfunctioning filter can lead to hazy water.
After youve shocked your pool, run your pump for 24 hours and then test the chemical levels. The best way to do this is to bring a water sample to a pool professional. If everything looks good, set your filter cycle for as long as it would take to filter all the water in the pool. If the water is still cloudy, increase the cycle length.
Materials And Tools Youll Need To Open Your Pool
Here are the main materials and tools youll need.
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Come On In The Waters Finethanks To You
Owning a swimming pool is one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy fun in the sun at home. Yes, it needs regular care, but that doesnt mean youll spend your life shackled to a vacuum or fiddling with your chemistry set.
In fact, when you know how your pool works, understand the care it needs and plan ahead, you might find yourself taking pride in your pool care prowess. Youll enjoy not just your swim, but the peace of mind that comes with regular and thorough pool maintenance.
Happy Swimming!
A Beginners Guide To Pool Maintenance
Your swimming pool needs regular upkeep. Thats why it pays to develop a strong basic understanding of pool maintenance essentials.
When you know how your pool works, the best ways to care for it, and how to plan for it, youll be ready to solve just about any potential pool problem that floats your way.
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Good Pool Maintenance Begins With Knowing Your Pool
Before you can properly enjoy or care for your pool, you might need to brush up on all the parts of your pool. You dont need to take an annex course or go for your doctorate in swimology from Harvard. But knowing the basic parts of your pool, and their functions, helps you keep everything running smoothlyand makes it easier to resolve issues when they occur.
Looking for even more pool maintenance tips? Weve got just the thing. Check out The Pool Care Handbook and Video Course and become a pool care master.
Viewing Picks And Standings
Pool members are able to view all other pool members picks ONLY after the weekly pick deadline has passed, i.e., the start of the first game each week. We want to be able to see who everyone picked when we watch the games, but we don’t want members basing their picks on other members picks.
RunYourPool.com has designed an easy to understand weekly results report. Members can easily understand who is alive and who has been eliminated.
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Use Algaecide On Your Pool
Once youve tested your pool and adjusted the balance, add some algaecide to kill any lingering algae from winter. Then test your pool chemistry again and rebalance it if needed.
Do not attempt to use algaecide before rebalancing your pool . Most algaecides are intended for well-balanced pool water, and using it at other times could stop it from working at all.
How To Open Your Pool For The Summer In 6 Easy Steps
As summer approaches, you cant help but dream about all the fun you can have with your pool. You are already imagining poolside parties, or a relaxing Sunday afternoon spent on the patio looking at the view. However, the thought of opening your pool after being inactive the entire previous season can put a damper on your ideas. The prospect of uncovering the pool and cleaning it can be a little exhausting, although well worth it. If you just grab some help from your friends and follow all the right steps accordingly, you can start enjoying your backyard pool installation in no time at all.
For your California backyard pool, here are 6 easy steps that will help you open it successfully for the summer.
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