Swimming pool decor that everyone can appreciate
Swimming pool ducky! Source: Plantation Bay Golf

Soon, you’ll start to realize that summer’s here and you need to open your backyard pool again. AFter a quick peek at your pool and you might find lots of leaves and branches floating over the cover. Before you finally reopen your pool for the summer season, there are some steps you can take to get the greenish water out. In most cases, you only need to restore the chemical balance of the pool water. To start, prepare yourself and take note of all the processes we have listed below. These procedures will ensure you have a pool ready for use for the entire summer. A quick run off would be:

  • Pool EQ
  • Test Water
  • Drain
  • Clean
  • Skim
  • Salt
  • Chlorine
  • pH levels
  • Any electrical work
  • Maintenance

Turn on your pool equipment

It’s imperative that you turn on your pool equipment as they have been idle for quite some time already. Doing so will help you assess whether the equipment is still operating correctly. You’ll also be able to spot leakages if there are any. Remember to check under your pool pump. It’s easier to repair and clean light leaks as opposed to massive ones.

“If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do all the rest have to drown too?” ~Steven Wright

Check and test the water

Test the pool water levels with a kit
Test pH levels. Source: The Spruice

In reopening a pool, levels of dissolved solids such as calcium must be tested. This process will help you decide whether you have to drain off or just refill the pool. Usually, you will need assistance for this process. You don’t have to worry about a thing because a qualified pool service provider will take care of the testing and checking for you. A service inspection will only cost a couple of bucks.

Drain the pool

If the professional you hired recommends to drain the pool off, it may be because you did not cover your pool for quite some time or there is lots of debris that has penetrated through the pool cover. A pool can also descend into the ground from high groundwater table. To help you with water level balance, hire a pool inspection service provider so the expert can install an oversized pump. It’s recommended that pool owners drain their pools once every five years or so.

Clean your pool

You should clean your pool as soon as you’ve emptied it. It is best if you hire a pool professional in washing and polishing pool surfaces using water pool acid. This is to eliminate hard water that’s always present at waterline rings.

Don’t forget salt

Checking sodium levels helps determine whether you have a pool that’s salt-chlorinated. During the cold season, clean the cells thoroughly. Take note that most cells cease automatically as soon as 50 degrees is reached.

Raise the chlorine level

Raise chlorine level above 5.0 using an oxidizer. Ask your pool dealer about this. Choose a product that’s consistent with your pool filter system. During the summer, make sure to oxidize your pool regularly. You can also buy ozone generators that will continuously shock the pool.

Change the light bulbs

Electricity and lighting work for your pool should not go unnoticed
Pool lighting at night. Source: YouTube

If you are looking for the simplest way of changing pool light bulbs, do it when it’s completely dry. The extra features always look cool. Otherwise, check out some DIY ideas for swimming pool decor.

Hire an electrician

During the cleaning and planning phase, it is better to be safe and careful with the entire endeavour. Ask your local pool service provider if they have a qualified electrician that can help you with the ground fault circuit installation. The circuit will be able to check if your pool’s wiring and installation are up to code. The expert can also inspect other equipment within your pool such as the lights, heating, and custom jets.

Check your pool regularly

If the nearest pool service provider is based a long distance from your home, then make sure that you take the time to clean your pool regularly. The cleaning process will involve the netting of the debris, cleaning of the pool, emptying of the skimmer and pump basket, and vacuuming. It’s also advised that you treat the pool water chemically. Purchase automatic pool cleaners as they can clean your pool daily.