Tips for Starting Up Your Swimming Pool | Swimming Pool NJ

Tips for Starting Up Your Swimming Pool

If you’re an old pro at opening up your pool every summer, you probably don’t need much guidance. But pool ownerswho are facing starting up their pool for the first time may need some pointers. Check out these tips to getting your pool jump started for the year.

Beginning

• First, take out plugs from all suction and return lines.
• Fill your pool to its normal level with water from the hose.
• Then, fill and prime the pump.
• Clean the filter and put in new D.E. grids or a cartridge.
• Start the pump.
• Check for leaks or wet spots on the equipment pad area. See wet spots? You’re leaking from the pump seal, so get it fixed now or risk it breaking down in the not-too-distant future.
• Test the pH levels of your water with strips or kits. Keep in mind, normal chlorine levels should be at 3.0 ppm.; normal pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6; alkalinity should be between 100 and 150 ppm; and calcium hardness should be between 150 and 225 ppm.

Put in the Chemicals

• Add chemicals according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for your size of pool. Be sure to add chemicals to a pool that is running properly, and never put water into chemicals – always the other way around.
• Make sure chemicals stay far away from the plaster coping or liner, as they can bring on discoloration.
• Add chemicals in small bits, while keeping the pump running for a whole day. Increase later if you need to.
• Shock your pool. Add granular shock to a bucket of water, then mix well. Add to the pool water all around the edges.

Test the Water With Kits

• Purchase test kits from the pool supply store. You will need a fresh one every time.
• Take a sample of water.
• Read it carefully and add chemicals to balance it as needed.
• Test it every week.
• Use test strips in a pinch but keep in mind they aren’t as accurate.
• Open chemical canisters away from your face in the interest of safety.

Keep the Pool Circulated

• Run the pump when it is sunny out, to utilize all those UVA and UVB rays that are great for removing chlorine from the water.
• Circulation of the water will mix up the chemicals for optimal sanitization and distribution.
• Vacuum the pool to waste if you have a multiport valve. This will bypass the filter so no debris gets caught. If not, use an inline canister with the vacuum hose.

We know how difficult starting up your pool at the beginning of the summer can be. But help is only a phone call away. Let our trained technicians take care of this task for you. Call Central Jersey Pools at 732-462-5005 to make an appointment now.

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