Clean Up Debris And Check For Wear And Tear
Before you open your pool, take some time to survey the area around your pool. Trim overgrown trees and hedges. Sweep away nearby leaves. Check your for damage, wear, and tear and address any issues before you open your pool for the season. Be sure to clean and repair any deck furniture so that it is safe for use. You should also check pool equipment like safety rails, slides, rescue equipment, ladders, and diving boards.
Remove The Pool Cover
This part is easier said than done. Pool covers can be pretty cumbersome. To get an extra set of hands, you can always bribe a friend with a pool party invitation.
Spread the cover out nice and wide somewhere flat where you can see the whole thing. Most of us arent blessed with a pool-cover-sized garage, so the front yard is probably going to be your best bet. This isnt a flag, so theres no penalty if you drop it on the ground.
Give your pool cover the old looky-loo and see if itll last another season. If its worn or torn beyond hope, then the good news is you get to skip the next step. The bad news is, youll need to pick up a new one before the swimming season ends.
S To Open Your Swimming Pool
Step 1
Turn on your filter system and add the correct amount of salt to the water for your pool size. Continue to run the filter for 24-48 hours or until all of the added salt is dissolved.
Please refer to your filters instructions manual for proper installation instructions. You can also visit our Blog Section on filters for some further assistance.
Step 2
Turn on your Saltwater Chlorine Generator following the instructions provided by the manufacturer. If you purchased the Saltwater system from us you can find the instructions here Salt System Support
Step 3
Using test strips, test the swimming pools water total Alkalinity Levels . If the alkalinity level is low, based on the test strip, add Alkalinity increaser . If the alkalinity is high, based on the test strip, add Alkalinity decreaser . Please refer to the bottles instructions for the proper amount to add for the adjustments.
Step 4
Using test strips, test the swimming pools water pH Level . If the pH level is low, based on the test strip, add pH increaser . If the pH is high, based on the test strip, add pH decreaser . Please refer to the bottles instructions for the proper amount to add for the adjustments.
Step 5
Add oxidizing pool shock at a rate of 1 pound of powder per 5,000 gallons of pool water.
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Spa Chemical Dosage Charts
This content was previously featured on the Hot Tub Works website. Leslie’s is proud to partner with Hot Tub Works to bring you this helpful content on lesliespool.com.
I’ve heard it said that “spas and hot tubs are not just small pools” – indeed, they are very small pools.
So small in fact, that the equivalent of 4 people in a spa is like having 200 people in a pool! Wacky things happen to water chemistry when even one person is using the spa or hot tub – pH jumps, alkalinity drops, and sanitizer is pummeled.
But you know this – if you take care of a spa or hot tub, regular water testing confirms irregular water chemistry, in most hot tubs. And you know how to take care of it too, a little bit of this, a little bit of that… and your spa water is balanced once again.
Today’s post is designed to be a resource for the busy spa owner, a printable reference sheet of how much spa chemical to add, for an expected result. Print Out the image below and tape it inside the spa cabinet door, or on the lid of your chemical box. Plastic sleeves or report binders will keep it dry and readable.
What Chemicals Do You Need When Opening A Swimming Pool For The Summer
05/ 01/ 2015
When it’s time to open your swimming pool, many people have the reflex of immediately taking a water sample to the local pool store. This is actually a mistake.
See, after a winter season, more then likely the pool will be a little green by the time you remove the cover and re-fill it with water. So before you even think about adding any adjustment chemicals to the water, we suggest the following 3 items to add when opening a swimming pool.
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About The Pool Factory
Americas Above Ground Pool Experts is the best place to find everything you need to make owning a swimming pool or spa fun and easy, at the best prices today. With a combined 50+ years of experience The Pool Factory employs a highly trained staff of above ground and semi inground pool specialists. The Pool Factory can provide unique solutions for all pool supplies and swimming pool needs.
Turn On The Pool Filter And Test The Water
Youre almost there! All you have to do now is get the filter up and running. Turn on the filter and run it for 12 to 24 hours to mix up the old and new water before testing or adding chemicals .
Dont feel comfortable testing the water yourself? You can always bring a water sample to a pool professional for proper analysis. Your pool professional will provide you with instructions for balancing your pool water. They can test the waters pH level, the alkalinity, the calcium hardness, and the chlorine content. In addition to shocking the pool, they may be able to also recommend that you add a stabilizer, conditioner or algaecide to your pool before its ready for the warm weather.
Continue to run the filter for a few days, vacuuming out any debris that has settled. When the water is clear and the chlorine levels have come down, your pool is ready for swimming! Enjoy your pool!
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Before You Get Started
- Its VITAL to perform each step in this guide. Do not skip around. Download the PDF for a printable startup card.
- NEVER mix water into chemicals. Always mix chemicals with water.
- Dont shock the pool for the first 30 days.
- Dont swim until the water is balanced.
- Do NOT use a pool heater until all plaster dust has been removed from the pool. This can typically be accomplished between day 4 and day 10.
- Do NOT use these devices until AFTER the 28 days startup is complete. They may damage the new finish or get clogged due to plaster dust:
- Wheeled Devices
- Automated cleaning systemsbuilt-in or robotic
- Chemical Feeders OTHER than Oxidation Reduction Potential and pH Controllers
- Salt-water generators
Sanitizing The Water And Adjusting The Hardness
Once the pH level is correct, you can use the shock method for sanitizing the pool. Shock method means a large amount of chlorine that can be acted as a sanitizer. Chlorine, when added to the pool water, gets completely dissolved into it. Make sure to keep the chlorine level of 3.0 ppm. Besides these, you also have to adjust the hardness of the water which is referred to the calcium content of the water. When the calcium content is very high, the water tends to be harder. You can use anti-scaling products to make it softer.
Final Words
So, these are some of the important and effective pool chemical start up instructions that you have to keep in mind. Also, you need to make sure that you add algaecides to the pool water and clean the pool tile to keep it free from algae. Maintaining the pool water is very important in order to ensure that it is good for your hair and skin. Hence, treating them right with chemicals is important.
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S To Hot Tub Water Chemistry
First, we need to fill the tub if you need help you can check out our video where we walk through the initial fill-up process. Along with our video, you can find information about the initial fill-up in your owners manual and at www.masterspas.com/resources.
Once we’ve filled the hot tub, now it’s time to check the chemical levels. Now it’s important to note the quantities to apply can vary based on the size of your hot tub and the chemical concentration of the brand or product being used. You should know how many gallons of water your hot tub holds. This can be found on the model spec page in your owner’s manual and make sure you familiarize yourself with the recommended amount for the chemicals you plan to use, these should be directly on the bottle.
The testing strips we’re using test all necessary levels at once, but depending on your test strips you may need individual testers for pH alkalinity calcium hardness and chlorine. It will save time if you can have the following chemicals on hand:
- a pH increaser
- sodium-dichlor
- chlorine granules
And now we wait 30 to 60 minutes before retesting. We’ll need to repeat this process until our alkalinity and pH levels are within the recommended ranges. And keep in mind that extremely high or low test results can take a while to get properly adjusted, keep working at it until your hot tub has reached the proper levels.
Pool Water Chemical Levels
For the most accurate pool water testing, we recommend a titration test kit the Taylor K-2005 is the same test kit used by pool stores.
The ranges shown here are suitable for any pool surface or any type of pool sanitizer used.
Adjusting to the lower end of these ranges is best under most circumstances.
Step 2 – Add Stain & Scale and Clarifier: Before you shock the pool, which can disrupt other pool start up chemicals, add a Stain & Scale chemical to prevent staining by keeping minerals and metals locked tightly in solution. Follow up with a good pool clarifier, following label dosage information, to help your filter remove small suspended particles.
Step 3 – Filter the Pool! Run the filter overnight or for 6-8 hours to distribute water balance chemicals, and then backwash or clean the filter as needed, and empty the pump and skimmer baskets. Run your filter 24/7 if possible, for the first few days after opening the pool from its winter slumber.
Before adding your pool opening chemicals, test the water again to be sure your adjustments hit the mark, and all water balance levels are correct, preferably on the lower end of the ranges.
Step 5 – Add Algaecide: The final product in our pool start up kits is the algaecide. Add your algaecide only after chlorine levels have dropped below 3 ppm, which is usually a few days after shocking the pool. High chlorine levels quickly deplete pool algaecides, or render them useless.
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Testing Your Freshly Filled Pool Water
To find out the water balance of your source water, just use a pool test kit or test strips. Be sure that your kit or strips are fresh, last years supply may produce inaccurate results.
To produce the full battery of water tests , you will need a complete test kit like the Taylor Deluxe K-2005. If you prefer test strips, AquaChek Select 7-Way, and LaMotte Insta Test 6 are both complete test strips.
Taking a water sample to the pool store may not be the best option, as their system is designed to sell you chemicals, after which you will need to test the water again, and test all summer – so you may as well buy the K-2005 , or buy some fresh 6-way or 7-way test strips, which aren’t as accurate, but may be close enough.
Fill Pool To Middle Of Waterline Tile And Do Final Debris Removal
Grab a garden hose and fill the pool until the water level reaches the midpoint of the waterline tile or middle of the skimmer weirs. Once youve got the water level where it needs to be, you can now clean leaves, twigs and debris from the pools bottom by using a wall and floor brush. This is also time to dust off your algae brush and pool vacuum. Also be sure to remove any debris from the leaf basket.
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Ph Adjusting Chemicals For Pool Start Up
Your pH level is really important for keeping your pool in good working order. If this is off, then your chlorine wont be working properly which can lead to unsafe water and too much chlorine.
Your pH level should be the second thing that you address when adding chemicals. The ideal range is between 7.2 and 7.6. This is perfect for your chlorine and for keeping your water safe for use.
If your pH level is too high, you can use the same pH decreaser that you would use for adjusting alkalinity. Be sure to check that level again afterwards.
Chemicals Are Vital For A Successful Pool Start Up
The chemicals for pool start up are really important for getting everything off on the right foot. Without doing this properly, your pool start up can turn into a lengthy ordeal.
However, to get this chemical balance right quickly, you need to have a clean pool. This cuts down on contaminates in your pool water and lets the chemicals work properly.
This can be a complicated job, which is why a lot of people use pool maintenance services for the start up and close down of their pools. This ensures your pool starts off right, and you can keep on top of chemical maintenance through the season.
Otherwise, you can sort the chemicals for pool start up yourself. However, it is going to take some precision and quite a few chemicals.
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Don’t Forget To Remove Winterizing Plugs And Replace Drain Plugs
If you live in an area where the winter temperature drops below zero, then you may have replaced the pool inlets/outlets with winterizing plugs. These rubber plugs provide a very tight seal and prevent any plumbing damage due to leaks or ice during winter. You may have also installed a skimmer plug or gizzmo to protect your skimmer from expanding ice. After re-connecting your equipment, you will want to remove all of the winter plugs and put the pool inlets and outlets back in place. Remember to also reinstall the drain plugs in your pool equipment. If the water level is below the skimmer, you can now refill the pool.
Stain And Scale Remover
If you have metals in your water, like copper and iron, you can use a metal remover or stain and scale remover to keep those metals in solution so that your filter can filter them out.
If metals come out of solution that can attach themselves to the walls and other parts of your pool and produce unsightly stains.
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Chemicals For Your Pool Water
Water is not complex. Over the winter, outdoor swimming pool water becomes contaminated because of environmental factors where most pool owners will turn to chemicals to maintain their pool water. These must be corrected in order to restore your water to its natural state. Water that appears clean and clear is naturally more appealing to swim in. The fewer chemicals are the better. The more natural the better. And safer for the whole family. Thats why I recommend a simplistic and proven combination of liquid chlorine and CLEAN & CLEAR from C*Pool and Spa. Not only is it the cheapest , but it is the safest way to open pools. Yes, you could use a wheelbarrow full of chemicals, but they would not produce a better result and would cost a lot more.
If CLEAN & CLEAR by C-Pool & Spa is unavailable in your region, I recommend the following chemicals and process when opening an outdoor pool.
The target levels of chemicals as determined by testing:
pH 7.0 to 7.7
Total Alkalinity 80 120 ppm
Calcium 100 400 ppm
Chlorine 1 4 ppm
Calcium hardness add calcium chloride
To decrease:
Alkalinity add liquid or dry acid
Calcium hardness add Flocculant keep pH and alkalinity in the proper range
Chlorine, time and sunlight will deplete CL levels
Alkalinity Adjusting Chemicals For Pool Start Up
If your pools initial test shows an incorrect amount of alkalinity, then you need to add some chemicals to fix it. It doesnt matter if it was too high or too low, chemicals are going to be needed.
This should be the first chemical that you add to your pool during start-up. This one can really affect the pH level of your pool. Sorting this out first prevents you from ruining your hard work on your pools pH level by doing it afterward.
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Salt Water Pool Start Up
Salt water pool startup chemicals are not that much different from any other pool opening procedure. You still need to balance your water chemistry, you still need a Stain & Scale chemical, and will benefit from using a Clarifier and Algaecide.
Start the pool filter and circulate the pool water for 24/7 for a few days, but dont turn on the salt cell yet. For a salt water pool start up, leave the salt cell off until you establish good water conditions.
Step 1 – Water Balance First! To improve the efficacy of your chlorine and reduce the workload required of your salt cell, test and adjust pH, Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness levels. A minimum level of 40 ppm of Cyanuric Acid prevents the sun from depleting the chlorine rapidly, which also protects your salt cell from over work.
Step 2 Check Salt Levels: Many saltwater chlorinators have a sensor to measure salinity level in the pool, and will alert you when additional salt is needed. Sensors should be cleaned regularly to prevent a false reading, and can be calibrated by using Salt Test Strips. Most salt pools will need to add make-up salt each spring. Be sure to use only salt labeled as Pool Salt.
Step 4 Shock the Pool: Many saltwater chlorinators have a shock feature, but they are slow to raise chlorine level, and it puts a strain on the salt cell. For this reason, many salt water pool openings use pool shock for salt pools during pool opening, closing or for algae blooms.
