| Soon spring will be here and so will the | | | | the crimp. The water will reverse and start |
| annual chore of opening your swimming pool. | | | | to drain. |
| Planning ahead can make the job much easier. | | | | |
| There's nothing worse than realizing your | | | | Once you have the water cleared, use a leaf |
| short one bag of shock when you're in the | | | | rake to remove as many leaves and twigs as |
| middle of prepping the pool. So let's first | | | | possible. Next, remove your cover weights or |
| make a list of chemicals that you might need. | | | | springs. At this time a few people positioned |
| | | | around the pool will help to keep the cover |
| There will be different needs depending on | | | | out of the water. Try to fold your cover like |
| the type of pool you own, so this list is | | | | a blanket keeping the crud in the middle then |
| general. Refer to your pool and pump | | | | remove the cover. You need to scrub the cover |
| instructions for additional information. | | | | thoroughly and properly dry for summer |
| | | | storage. |
| Liquid or powdered Shock | | | | |
| | | | Now it's time to attach all the pump hoses. |
| Chlorine powder or tablets | | | | Remember to lube plugs, fittings, valves and |
| | | | o-rings with petroleum jelly. Also be sure to |
| BrominepH increase or pH decrease | | | | remove any freeze plugs that were used to |
| | | | cover the hose openings. You will most likely |
| Sanitizing cartridge for cartridge filters | | | | need to add water to the pool. It should be |
| | | | filled to the skimmer half way point. |
| A test kit or bottle of test strips to test | | | | |
| pH and chlorine levels | | | | At this point you should start re-circulating |
| | | | the water and check for any leaks around the |
| Before you run off to your local pool supply | | | | pump and hoses. Once your pool is leak and |
| store for chemicals, now would be the time to | | | | drip free, skim off as much floating debris |
| check all of your hoses, clamps, skimmer | | | | as you can with your skimmer net. Open all |
| baskets, gaskets and o-rings. If any of the | | | | your valves to flood the hoses and prime the |
| parts look like they need replacing, take | | | | pool pump. Most manufacturers recommend |
| them with you to the pool supply store. It's | | | | constantly recirculating the pool water for |
| a lot easier to match replacement parts if | | | | at least three days. Any crud and debris on |
| you have the old part with you. | | | | the sides and bottom of the pool will need to |
| | | | be scrubbed off. Use the broom attachment of |
| Now that you have the easy part finished, | | | | your pool vacuum for this. |
| it's time to get to work. The first thing | | | | |
| required is to get the cover off. Enlist some | | | | After all debris has been removed and the |
| help for this, as you want to avoid getting | | | | pool has been scrubbed, check your filter for |
| any top water into the pool water. If you | | | | cleaning. Some pumps have removable filters; |
| have an above ground pool, siphon the water | | | | others are back-flushed, so clean as |
| off with a hose. If you have an in-ground | | | | directed. Once the filter is cleaned, you can |
| pool you will need to use a sump pump to | | | | now super shock the water as per your |
| remove the top water. | | | | manufacturer's instructions. If you start |
| | | | with green water, you will need a lot more |
| To get a good siphon started, hook up the | | | | shock. It may take a few days of |
| hose to the spigot and put the other end of | | | | recirculation to clear the water. Once the |
| the hose into the top water. Turn the hose on | | | | water has cleared, test your water or take a |
| for a minute or so to fill it. Next crimp the | | | | sample to your pool supply store and have it |
| hose a foot or two away from the faucet, and | | | | analyzed. Adjust the water as required and |
| with your other hand, disconnect the hose | | | | keep recirculating. All that is left to do |
| from the spigot. Position the hose at a | | | | now is to wait for the water to warm up so |
| downspout drain to discharge then let go of | | | | you can start enjoying your pool. |