How do I get my swimming pool ready for Summer?

Summer Preparation

With winter gone and summer not long away now is the time to get your pool ready for a beaut summer season if you haven't already.

Here are some simple steps to take to get your pool looking its best for the warmer months ahead:

Scrub the surfaces

Algae and dirt have probably built up on the sides and floor of your pool, now is the time to get this cleaned up. Simply brush down all of the surfaces with your pool broom, use your leaf rake to remove all of the leaf debris, and then run your pool filter on manual for a few hours. Once finished make sure you clean your filter by completing a backwash or remove the cartridge hose it down and soak in a filter cleaning product. If the pool water is quite cloudy to start with you may need to clean your filter during the filtering process as well as at the end if the return flow is affected.

Once you have finished with the pool itself you will also need to remember to clean the skimmer and pump baskets.

Treat the water

Whilst you should really be checking your water chemistry regularly throughout the entire year, if you haven’t since last summer you definitely need to be doing it now. With the water temperature increasing so does the usage of chemicals required to keep your pool in a safe and tip top condition. You will need a test kit to check the pH, Chlorine, Alkalinity, TDS (total dissolved solids), phosphates, stabiliser, and calcium hardness levels. Most basic test kits only allow for the pH, Chlorine, and Alkalinity to be tested. For a more comprehensive test we recommend you have your water tested by a pool professional

Adjust your settings

With the weather warming up it is important to extend the running time of your equipment to reflect the higher usage of chemicals and bather loads. Your automatic dosing machine or salt chlorinator are usually fitted with adjustable timers to enable this. If you don’t have an automatic dosing machine or salt chlorinator you can use a manual timer fitted directly to the pumps power supply. For assistance click here.

Check your pump

To ensure you’re getting the best out of your pump make sure there are no leaking or cracked seals. If you find a seal is damaged replace it, or if they appear okay make sure you lubricate them with silicone to keep them supple. Check the basket is still intact, clear any debris away from around the motors air intake area. Check the pump lid is not cracked and that seal has also been lubricated. Check the water flow when the pump is running. Lack of water flow can damage your pump motor. For help with your pump repairs click here.

Check your filter

Check the pressure is sitting within the manufacturer’s guidelines. Too much pressure can cause your filter to split or be damaged, not enough pressure will affect the water quality and could damage your other pool equipment due to lack of water flow.

It is recommended that Sand or Media Filters need the media changed every 3 - 5 years for best performance as the sharp edges of the sand that catch the dirt particles become rounded over time allowing the dirt bypass the sand and return to your pool. Also mineral deposits, fat and sunscreens can clog the media together resulting in poor filtration and water quality. For help with your media filter click here.

Using a glass filter media can extend the period between requiring media replacement by approx. 2-3 times. Glass filter media also uses less water to backwash, both of these saving you money in the long run.

Cartridges in cartridge filters require replacement every 2000 hours or approximately 1-2 years, however the lifespan of the cartridge can be diminished if it is not maintained regularly or if there is an increased presence of contaminants such as sunscreen, hair care products, deodorants or similar in the water. To replace your cartridge click here.

Check your automatic dosing machine or salt chlorinator

Make sure your key pads are not damaged, cracked keypads can allow water to get into the units components which ultimately can lead to the failure of the entire unit. Check your timer is working correctly.

For automatic dosing machines check any feed hoses that are fitted that they have not cracked or perished, and replace where required. Check the valves are in good condition and are still functioning, and replace if required. Click here for help.

For salt chlorinators check the electrode (salt cell) is still in good order, check the plates for damage, look for plate separation or corrosion. Damaged plates will affect the electrodes ability to produce chlorine. For systems that do not have a self-cleaning electrode you will need to clean the electrode when a build up of calcium is present. Failure to remove the calcium affects the electrodes ability to produce chlorine and will eventually result in damage to the plates themselves. If your electrode is clear and is not producing chlorine we recommend you contact a pool professional as it may be time to replace it.

Check your automatic cleaner

Automatic cleaners vary, however one thing they have in common is wearing parts. Make sure there is no damage to any of the parts, and replace them if found. Remove any debris caught inside the cleaner. Check the hoses for air leaks. A hole in your hose can prevent the cleaner from functioning properly and could also result in damage to your other pool equipment if left. To test, have your pool pump running and your cleaner attached to the skimmer and the cleaners water intake submerged in the water, lift the hose out of the water listening for air sucking noise, start at the cleaner end of the hose and work your way to the skimmer end. If you hear air being sucked into the hose check the joins are all tight, if you still hear air being sucked you will need to replace the hose. For help with your automatic pool cleaner click here.

Check your maintenance equipment

As well as regular exposure chemicals pool cleaning equipment such as brooms and leaf rakes can take a hammering if left out in the harshness of our Aussie weather. Check the bristles are not falling out of your broom, check there are no holes appearing in your leaf rake net and replace if required. Store them in your pump shed or out of the weather.

Finally get your bathers or togs ready! Summer is not far away!

If you need assistance with your pool contact A1 Pool Service now so you will be ready for the summer fun!