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.
Too Much Algae In Your Pool
If you notice algae growing in your pool then you may not be using enough chemicals to control the growth of algae and other harmful bacteria. If you see the green or brown tinge of algae along your pool liner or floor then you may want to consider an algaecide which comes in liquid and solid block/tablet form.
Swimming Pool Water Balance Problems
Failing to test your water can lead to a host of problems. From skin rashes caused by excessive chlorination, to cloudy water caused by high pH or alkaline levels, to low alkalinity causing your pH levels to fluctuate or bounce unpredictably, to low calcium hardness corroding your valuable pool equipment, there are numerous issues that you can avoid simply by testing and adjusting your water. All it takes is a pack of pool strips, a few pool balancing chemicals like muriatic acid, and maybe a little help from your pool dealer.
Want to dig deeper into water chemistry? Learn more about why correct pool chemistry is important, then contact your local Latham dealer for assistance. With thousands of premium quality, American-made pools and pool products to choose from, Latham is ready to meet all of your indoor, outdoor, inground, vinyl and fiberglass pool needs.
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Closing Thoughts: Which Pool Chemicals Do You Need And How Much
Heres a quick recap of which pool chemicals you need to run your pool, and how much:
- Chlorine Tablets
- How much: 2 tablets for every 10,000 gallons, per week
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Preparing & Testing The Water
Running the Filtration System
Once the pool has been filled with fresh water, its time to run the filtration system and get the water circulating. Before you turn on your filtration system, bleed any remaining air from the line and be sure to prime the pool pump before use.
Initial Water Testing
When you first begin running the filtration system, add the pool opening chemicals kit. These kits include important products that remove winter buildup of chemicals and other elements. Keeping your pool clean and free from bacteria and debris are important responsibilities for every pool owner and having the right pool chemicals makes it easy to do.
Testing the Water
After your pools circulation system has run for at least 12 hours, its time for testing pool water chemicals. The chemical balance of the water in your pool requires some careful testing and monitoring to stay within safe limits. Everything from environmental changes and just basic use can alter your pool water chemistry, so its important to test the water frequently throughout the season.
There are six things that affect your pools water balance that pool owners must monitor, including pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Sanitizer, Cyanuric Acid, Temperature, and Metal levels. Keeping each of these levels in check is an essential part of preventing harmful erosion, scale deposits and staining of pool surfaces.
1. Find your pools average depth:
WATER TEMPERATURE
Shocking Your Pool
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Contact The Halogen Pool Supply Experts
Halogen Pool Supply supplies residential and commercial clientele throughout the United States and Canada with a variety of chemicals necessary for keeping water in swimming pools and spas safe, along with a variety of other pool supplies and equipment. With over 80 years in the business, the companys knowledgeable team can provide advice on what chemicals are needed to open a pool, along with the best products to use for keeping the water clean and safe. Contact Halogen Pool Supply for all your pool product needs.
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.
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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.
The Best Time To Open Your Swimming Pool
The best time to open your pool depends on where you live. The best time to do it is when temperatures in your area are consistently over 70 degrees. Any colder, and you could see more algae growth.
To be clear, this doesnt mean you cant open your pool earlier, especially if you have a heater that can keep the water at least 70 degrees. However, if you open it early, expect to spend more time and money maintaining your pool until the weather gets properly warm.
Questions? Let us know! Ill be writing a guide on opening above ground pools soon too, which isnt too different from an inground pool.
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Set Up And Run Your Filter And Pump
Reinstall the drain plugs in your pump and filter using thread seal tape. Lubricate any O-rings with pool gasket lubricant to protect them.
Use the same lubricant on your pump housing O-ring. If you see any cracks in that O-ring, replace it immediately to avoid sucking air into your pump. Your pool heater and chlorinator, if you have them, also have drain plugs.
Next, open your return side valves to be sure the water being pulled into your pump has somewhere to go. If you have a multiport valve, turn the handle to waste, and replace the air bleeder, sight glass, and pressure gauge.
Flip your circuit breaker, then turn on your pump. Once water is flowing through, your pump is primed. Take a look at your filter. Wash or replace it, if necessary. Switch your multiport valve to filter.
If you used antifreeze when you closed your pool, this process will expel from the lines. Most of it will come out while the valve is turned to waste, but a little of it may still make it into your pool water. Dont be concerned. The antifreeze made for pools is non-toxic, and the rest of it will be filtered out in subsequent filtering cycles.
Tip: If your pressure gauge shows a sudden spike, shut off your pump immediately. Check to make sure nothing is impeding water flow through your system. If necessary, you can prime the pool pump again.
Chemicals Youll Need To Start Up Your Swimming Pool
Starting a pool up, either for the first time or for the season, is a big task. Between the cleaning and chemicals for a pool start-up, it is hard work for any pool owner.
Pools are seasonal in most areas of the world. Weather and climate sadly necessitate most being closed for certain periods of the year. This is bound to make start up difficult.
If you consider how much work goes into weekly pool maintenance and maintaining your pools chemical balance, it isnt surprising that a dormant pool requires quite a bit of work to be safe for use again.
Using the right chemicals when staring a pool up will get your water off to the right start. The rest of the season can go well, with only need maintenance work needed to keep your water in good health. However, if you get things wrong the entire start-up could drag out as you attempt to fix your pools water.
What chemicals you need for a pool start up is actually going to vary on a few things, like what water youre filling your pool with. However, testing your water should give you all the information to get things done right.
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Frequently Asked Pool Chemical Questions
What is pool pH?
Pool pH refers to the measure of acidity in your pool water. The pH scale is measured from 0 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. Above 7 and your pool water is basic and below 7 and your pool water is acidic.
What is the ideal pH for your pool?
The ideal pH for your pool water is 7.2- 7.8 because 7.4 most closely matches the alkalinity of your body.
How do you check the pH of your pool?
You can use chemical test strips to test your pools pH.
How do you adjust your pools pH?
To adjust your pools pH, first test the water and then add more chemicals accordingly. Be careful not to add too many chemicals – its much easier to add more than to compensate for too many. Click here for a guide to see the ideal ranges for each type of chemical in your pool.
How often should you check your pools pH?
You should check your pools pH on a weekly basis.
What is a pool oxidizer?
A pool oxidizer chemically destroys organic elements in your pool. Using an oxidizer is also called shocking your pool water, which is necessary to properly maintain your pool. Oxidizers can help you quickly restore your pools water clarity.
How often should you use an oxidizer?
You should use an oxidizer in your pool every couple of weeks. Add it to your pool by broadcasting it over the surface.
What is the difference between stabilized and unstabilized pool chlorine?
How often should you add unstabilized pool chlorine to your pool?
What are chlorine tablets used for?
Orders
S To Open Your Saltwater Swimming Pool
Step 1
Remove the swimming pool cover.
Step 2
Connect your filter system to your swimming pool.
Step 3
If you have an inline saltwater generator connect it after the filter system, right before the pools return. If you have a drop in model re-install the saltwater generator by removing the top ledge of the pool where you would like for the chlorinator to go.
Step 4
Remove skimmer plate from the skimmer opening along the swimming pool wall and remove the winter plug from the pool return opening.
Step 5
Review the pool water level and add water to the swimming pool .
Step 6
Perform a quick scrub of the inner pool walls as well as vacuum the swimming pool.
Step 7
Check the salt level with a saltwater test kit and adjust if necessary. You only need to add the full amount of salt for your pool size when you initially fill the pool the salt stays in the water and keeps making chlorine. Only water loss will reduce the salt content, so you will need to check the salt level with a salt test kit and adjust as necessary.
Step 8
Test and adjust the swimming pools water total Alkalinity Level using Saltwater Series Alkalinity Increaser or similar.
Step 9
Test and adjust the swimming pools PH using Saltwater Series PH increaser or Saltwater Series PH Decreaser or similar.
Step 10
Measure the chlorine stabilizer level of the pool water. Add Saltwater Series Stabilizer as necessary following the instructions on the label.
Step 11
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How To Open An Inground Pool In 13 Steps
Its that time of year again! Pool season has arrived. The suns shining. Temperatures are rising. You could really go for a swim.
But there you are, standing on your patio, staring at a dirty pool cover, wondering what kind of horrors await you underneath it. Pool opening seems like so much work, doesnt it? Dont worry. Grab a friend and a few other essentials, and youll be back to backstroking in no time.
Reconnect And Maintain All Pool Equipment
At pool opening time, you will want to reconnect all the equipment that you disconnected before the winter season. This usually includes the pool filter, pump, heater, automatic pool cleaner, in-line chlorinators, and all other pool equipment. This is also the time to reattach any ladders, hand rails, and other pool accessories that were taken down for winter.
When connecting your equipment, it’s a good idea to lubricate all o-rings, seals, and hardware with a silicone lubricant. This will keep the equipment working properly all year, and will make it easier for you to disassemble them when you close your pool.
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Chemistry Levels For Closing Your Pool
Before you start closing your pool, take a few minutes to test the water. pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6, and alkalinity should be between 100 and 150 parts per million , with 125 ppm being optimum. Make sure the calcium hardness is between 175 and 225 parts per million, and the chlorine is between 1 and 3 parts per million.If your water is too acidic, add a base to balance it out. To bring your water back into equilibrium if it’s too basic, add a pH increaser. Add alkalinity increaser or sodium bicarbonate to your pool water if the alkalinity is wrong. If it’s too high, add muriatic acid to bring it down. If your pool water is excessively hard, you can purchase chemicals to soften it, or just dilute it with fresh, non-hard water. Is the water too soft? A calcium hardness increaser or simple calcium chloride can be used to raise the level.
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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When Should You Begin Winterizing Your Pool
Begin winterizing your pool once the pool season is over. Typically when the temperature begin to drop below 65 degrees F or lower, you’ll want to consider closing your pool down unless you plan on heating it to extend your pool season.If you begin winterizing your swimming pool too soon, you may have to contend with algae, which thrives in warmer temperatures. Allow yourself a few days to complete the pool winterization process, as there are multiple steps that must be completed over several days.
Do You Need To Winterize Your Pool In Dallas?
Typically the weather in Dallas never drops below freezing for very long. However, last year, the DFW region saw unprecedented damage caused by a later winter freeze that lasted for several days. The best advice for local homeowners who do not utilize their pool or spa during the winter is to close it down for the season. If you’re not the type of person who uses their pool or spa except for in the summer months, winterizing your pool is a good call.
What Chemicals Do I Need To Open My Pool For The First Time
If the pool is new, and the water fresh, use only a minimum of chlorine and condition the water with CLEAN & CLEAR. It will last all season and you will not have to worry about water balance or algae because it automatically prevents algae growth. Use just enough chlorine to sanitize the water.
Freshwater from a municipality is already carefully balanced and potable . There is no need to disrupt this balance by adding chemicals other than chlorine and CLEAN & CLEAR as a stabilized mineral treatment. These additives merely continue the sanitation and balance levels already existing.
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