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.
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!
How To Open An Above Ground Pool
- |March 24, 2020
Its that time of year again: pool season. Lots of sunshine in the forecast and warmer weather is finally here.
All you want to do is jump in the pool for a refreshing dip but youve been avoiding the unavoidable: re-opening your above-ground pool after the winter season. Its just sitting out there, taunting you. The pool cover is a dirty puddle of rainwater and old leaves.
Youve been dreading it, but the time has come. The sooner you open your pool, the sooner you can get back to swimming and enjoying it! So don a floppy hat and slather on some sunscreen, were here to walk you through it step-by-step.
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Take Those Accessories Down
To make sure your pool is completely covered from debris and prevent unnecessary damage, you definitely want to remove any pool ladders, rails, and other accessories you have installed in your pool. This is also a great opportunity to give them a good rub down, then let them dry and store them in a safe spot until next pool season. Make sure all electronics are stored indoors for the winter.
Do you have a saltwater pool? Now is the time to remove your salt water chlorine generator, drain it, and store it. Plus, you can turn off all power and gas to your system. You wont be needing themand youre about to love the bills that come in.
What Chemicals Are Needed For An Intex Pool
Every summer, tens of thousands of Intex Pools are set-up and filled-up, with dreams of long afternoons spent splashing and relaxing in a private backyard pool.
And then it hits you how do I keep the water clear, and how do I clean the pool? Or when water temps warm, how do I get rid of the algae or cloudy water? Help!?!
Youve come to the right place whether you have a small Easy Set pool, or a big Ultra Frame pool, heres how to balance, sanitize and disinfect any Intex pool.
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Sanitize Your Pool Water
Sanitizing your water means exterminating the bacteria and bad chloramines in your pool with the addition of chlorine or other chemicals. Chlorine is the primary additive in pool water and can be the best and only sanitizer you need. You can decide how you add the chlorine, but one of the most popular ways of adding chlorine to a pool in a safe way is to use chlorine tablets.
Chlorine tablets are efficient because of how compressed they are. They dont fully dissolve into the pool water right away, and instead, they help add small amounts of chlorine to your pool a little at a time. This slower approach gives you a longer-lasting chlorine treatment, so you dont have to keep adding chlorine or shocking your pool unnecessarily.
How To Balance The Ph Level Of A Pool
Examining the pH level of your pool helps identify if your pool is on the acidic or basic side. If the pH level goes out of balance, then it may cause issues.
The pH level of a pool can be balanced with the help of Alkaline tablets, pool shock, and sanitizing the pool more often. These are the pH adjusters that help you balance the pH level of your pool.
The pH level of your pool should be examined at least 3 times a week; if you test the pH level of your pool often, it will not go out of balance and will always be ready to dive in.
The test can be performed easily using litmus paper by dipping the paper inside the water and seeing what color you get. Depending on the color, you will have your results within a few minutes.
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Regularly Clean Out The Pump And Skimmer Baskets
A pump basket collects debris before it can reach the pump, while a pool skimmer pulls in water from the pools surface. A skimmer captures leaves and other debris in a basket before it enters the filtration system. Its important to clean out the pump and skimmer baskets at least once a week. Always turn off the pool pump and heater before you clean out the baskets.
Test For Ph And Free Chlorine Levels
After becoming an above ground swimming pool owner, you will have a lot of responsibilities on your plate. To fulfill them, youve got to learn what is required, otherwise, youll be lost in the dark.
We recommend using a quality pool water test kit. Below, we include a general guideline that you should use. That way, you can quickly check the appropriate parameters.
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What Chemicals Do You Need To Close A Saltwater Pool
Just like any other pool, you want to test chemicals levels and balance pool chemistry before closing your pool. Also, test and adjust salt levels. You want salt levels at the low end of the normal range because salt could react with contaminants over the winter months, staining your pool.
Use the same winterizing chemical steps as you would use on any inground pool, including shocking the pool and adding algaecide and stain and scale preventers. You can even buy winter pool kits that include all the chemicals you need in a convenient package.
One additional step for saltwater pools is to remove your salt water generator, drain it, clean it using diluted muriatic acid if necessary, and store for the winter.
Run The Filter For 24 Hours
With all of your good chemicals in and bad gunk out, you actually get to relax a bit while allowing your filter to do its job circulating and filtering your pool water.;
Run the filter for a solid 24 hours to make sure everything gets cleaned up, sucked out, and thoroughly stirred before retesting the water.
Keep an eye on things and skim out any debris that might have fallen in. After the 24-hour mark, go ahead and retest the water. If everything is where it needs to be, grab your swimsuit and towel. Its time to relax!
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How To Clean Your Intex Pool
People. Debris. Rain. Critters. It might seem like everyone, and everything, wants to take a dip in your pool. And while youve probably invited at least some of them to join you for a dip, they bring with them assorted bits and bobs that can ruin your swim.
Leaves, sand, dirt, and other visible debris are not only unsightly, but can clog your filter system and throw your water chemistry out of whack.
The same is true for the lotions and potions swimmers can bring into the water, from soap and perfume to sweat, dead skin, and, er, other bodily fluids.
Just like you, your pools at its best with a regular daily cleaning. Our motto is simple. On the whole, cleaning the pool is good for the soul. Or at least the pool.
Use a skimmer;to remove visible debris every day. If your pool isnt seeing much use, or you somehow have the one pool on earth that doesnt attract leaves from five counties away, you can probably get away with brushing and vacuuming every other day. But if its party central for you and the trees, brush and vacuum daily.
Make sure you use a pool brush with nylon bristles only. The vinyl liner needs a gentle touch and might tear or scratch if you use a stainless steel pool brush.
Intex makes a filter-line vacuum unit thats designed for their pools. Simply attach it to your system, and youll be ready to suck away sediment and other debris.
Clean Your Pool Filter
There will be times where you will need to clean your pool filter. This filter cleaning is also known as backwashing your filter. Because the filter is used to remove small debris and substances from circulating in your pool, an excess of these substances in your pool could mean your filter is full. You can check the pressure gauge of your filter to see if you need to clean the filter. Use the numbers and advice from your filters instructions to determine whether or not you need to clean your filter.
Some filter systems have backwashing modes that can handle cleaning in the push of a button, but many filters will require you to empty or replace the filter to be able to continue using it effectively. A dirty or full filter system could turn into the equivalent of not having one at all, so make sure it is clean at all times before you use your pool.
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How To Care For Your Intex Pool
Dont let the convenience or its potentially temporary installation fool you. Intex pools have all the same needs as the fanciest rooftop retreat or humblest suburban cement pond. Regular maintenance keeps Intex pools in prime condition.
Your new backyard oasis needs a pump, filter, and a few tools to keep it clean and running smoothly. A little homework might be required to master regular maintenance and the right mix of chemicals to keep the water clean and sanitary. You can also choose whether to clean and store your pool during the off season, or let it winter in place.
Oval Frame Intex Pools
A slightly different take on the traditional rectangular pool, these babies straddle the line between the Easy Sets convenience and the durability of higher-end Intex pools. The elongated shape fits into narrow backyards;that might not otherwise accommodate a pool.
This model also makes a perfect lap pool if one of your crew has Olympic aspirations or their eye on crossing the English channel, wot wot.
Oval Frame Intex Pools are available in two sizes:
18 ft. long by 10 ft. wide by 42 in. high
20 ft. long by 12 ft. wide by 48 in. high
Instead of all-around legs, these pools use a snap-on frame that provides support where its needed most without taking up extra space.
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Before Starting Please Remember To
1. Read entire label of each bottle and use in accordance with precautionary statements and directions.
2. All chemicals should be handled by adults only, and kept out of the reach of children. Filter system must always be on and running when adding chemicals to pool.
3. All chemicals should be added to pool separately and must not be mixed together.
4. For existing pools, remove cover, connect filter to pool and remove any winter plates and plugs. Add water if needed, and clean and vacuum pool.
What Happens If You Dont Clean Your Swimming Pool
A dirty swimming pool wont just ruin your day; improper pool maintenance or care could lead to recreational water illnesses like diarrhea, ear infections, respiratory infection, rashes, inflamed eyes, and lungs.
This is why its important to keep up on pool maintenance and make sure the pool chemistry is balanced so everything stays safe and clean.
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Guide To Startup Chemicals For Pools
After the patience and effort involved in designing and installing a swimming pool, the day finally comeswhen you fill it with water. Naturally, you want to jump right into the cool, refreshing water! But yourpool isnt ready for swimmers yet.
First, youll need to ready your pool with startup chemicals. Pool startup chemicals ensure that thewater is clean and safe for swimmers. Once you have water levels sanitized, youll continue testing andmaintaining optimal chemical levels. Then, you need to go through the startup chemical process againwhen you open your pool each season.
Learning the pool chemicals needed can seem intimidating, but pool chemical maintenance is simple once itbecomes part of your routine. Achieving the proper balance of new pool startup chemicals takes a littlemore work, but were here to give you a head start on that knowledge. Keep reading for more informationon pool and hot tub startup chemicals.
Well address these topics, helping you understanding the chemical needs of your pool:
- What chemicals do I need to open my pool?
- What chemicals do I need for a pool?
Whether you have an inground or above ground pool, youll need the same basic types of chemicals.However, you may need to take extra care to keep above ground pools from acidic water conditions thatcan damage vinyl. Keeping either an above ground or inground pool clean and sanitized is simple withsome basic pool chemical knowledge.
Before Each Use Pool Maintenance Schedule
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Other Intex Pool Chemicals
Maintaining a good pH level and constant chlorine reading is good enough for some pools, but with a small pool filter and high pool use, your water may need additional help.
Algaecides are used to prevent algae growth in a pool. Added weekly, the liquid works to dissolve algaes outer protective layers, so that chlorine can penetrate.
Clarifiers are used to help small pool filters trap tiny particles, coagulating fine contaminants into larger clumps that can be trapped by your Intex pool filter.
Enzymes are used to dissolve oily bather waste and other non-living organic contaminants that make cloudy water and gum up small cartridge filters.
First Time Adding Chemicals To 18×48 Intex Ultra Frame Poolhelp
We have a 18×48 ultra frame intex pool. It was completely filled up by Monday night and we covered it Tuesday. Wednesday and today we left the cover off to prevent algae. We have not added any chemicals yet. It holds 6400 gallons. What do I need to do first. I have never owned a pool before. Please give me step by step idiot proof instructions. The local pool store won’t help bc their chemicals are too strong for latex and walmart only sales a dang book. I don’t want my kids to get sick and they are dying to swim. Thanks
- 9,345
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Do I Need A Winter Stain & Scale Treatment
Stain and Scale treatments are sequestering agents, used to prevent metals like copper and iron from oxidizing and staining pool surfaces. They also prevent salts and calcium minerals from mixing with contaminants to form dirty scale. Stain & Scale also prevents the winter bathtub rings found on many pools after opening. Especially useful for pools with high calcium hardness levels, saltwater pools, and those with safety pool covers.
Understanding Chlorine Vs Bromine
In most pools, there will be one of these halogens. Chlorine and bromine share several characteristics on the chemical level. Since they have an identical number of valence electrons, they behave similarly. Thus, you can use them in the same applications to produce substantially comparable results.
Chlorine:In most instances, chlorine is the pool sanitizer of choice. Once you add some of this, none of those bacteria can thrive.
Bromine:If you are sensitive to chlorine, then bromine might be an appropriate substitute. Sometimes, people develop rashes when swimming in chlorinated water. If you are in those truths, then try some of this. Typically, it will perform much better.
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What Is The Best Way To Clean Above Ground Pool
Youll need a pool skimmer, clean filter, and scrubbing brush to properly maintain your swimming pool. These minimal tools will remove leaves from the surface of the water as well as other debris that might have found its way into it and make sure that the water is clear for all when you go for your next swim.
Semi Buried Or Fully Buried Above Ground Pool
These pools are similar to the traditional above ground pools discussed above, however, they willhave fully insulated wall panels that are significantly stronger to combat the ground forces pushingin on the walls. These pools will come in a variety of sizes, even the more free form look.
Pros:;More of the inground look and feel with a relatively quick install about 3-5 days depending on size and site location, long term solution, warranty.
Cons:;Cannot be easily re-located if you move, price point for this option is fairly high due to installation, not conducive to a DIY install.;
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