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Top 10 Ways To Dive Into A Great Pool Season
April 2010
by Stacey Akins, Arch Chemicals Customer Care Center
Related Articles
While most pool owners have a general idea of how to open their pools, there are some more specific steps that can help ensure a successful season of swimming pool fun with family and friends. Here are 10 tips that will help you get started on a great pool season:
1. Check the pool’s water circulation.
When opening the pool for the season, one of the most crucial steps is making sure that the pool’s plumbing is working and, if necessary, replacing the sand or chemically cleaning the filter. Also make sure that the pool’s inlets are situated at a 45 degree angle in order to cycle the water evenly throughout the pool. This reduces the potential for “dead spots” where algae and bacteria can grow.
2. Run the pump and filter as much as possible.
Once good water circulation has been established, run the pump and filter as long as possible. Typically the pump and filter should run at least 8 to 10 hours per day, but always check with the manufacturer to see what they recommend. The longer you run your pump, the fewer problems you’ll encounter over the summer.
3. Physically clean the pool’s accessories.
Vacuums, brushes, leaf skimmers, detachable stairs—anything that goes into the pool can become infested with mold, mildew and algae. These items should be thoroughly cleaned before use so that the pool does not become infected.
4. Physically clean the pool and the water in it.
Physically cleaning the pool before adding chemicals will greatly increase their effectiveness. Be especially sure to scoop out leaves, vacuum dirt and brush the sides of the pool to stir up any algae that might have gathered there.
5. Download an Arch pool care guide.
POOLIFE® (poolife.com), POOL BREEZE® (poolbreeze.com), and BAQUACIL® (baquacil.com) guides are available online. These guides describe the brand’s chemicals and how to use them. While visiting one of the Web sites, take time to sign up for email updates, tips and other promotions from your favorite Arch Chemicals brand.
6. Know the volume or how many gallons of water your pool holds.
In order to use the correct amount of chemicals to treat your pool, it is important to know the pool’s volume or how many gallons of water it holds. The pool care guide mentioned in Step 5 has the mathematical formulas required to figure out the amount of water in your pool.
7. Make a checklist of the supplies needed from the pool dealer.
It can be frustrating and costly to make several trips back and forth to the pool dealer. To cut down on repeat trips, take time to make a list of the basic items needed for regular maintenance throughout the season. Below is a good start for making that basic list:
For BAQUACIL® Systems:
- A water sample for the dealer to test. Be sure you get at least a pint (16 ounces) of sample water. Acquire the sample from a depth of 12 to 18 inches, and in a place that’s away from any inlets.
- BAQUACIL® balancer chemicals, if the water chemistry tests out of range
- BAQUACIL® 4-Way Test Strips for day-to-day testing
- BAQUACIL® Sanitizer and Algistat
- BAQUACIL® Oxidizer
- BAQUACIL® CDX (While this is an optional chemical, it is highly recommended that your BAQUACIL® system include CDX.)
For POOLIFE®:
- A water sample for the dealer to test. Be sure you get at least a pint (16 ounces) of sample water. Acquire the sample from a depth of 12 to 18 inches, and in a place that’s away from any inlets.
- POOLIFE® balancer chemicals, if the water chemistry tests out of range
- POOLIFE® 6-Way Test Strips or a POOLIFE® Deluxe 6-Way Test Kit for day-to-day testing , then select the POOLIFE System that best suits your pool and your lifestyle
POOLIFE® CAPLET SYSTEM
- Step 1: Sanitize & clarify with POOLIFE® Active Caplets
- Step 2: Shock treat weekly with POOLIFE® TurboShock
- Step 3: Prevent algae by adding POOLIFE® AlgaeBomb 30 weekly
POOLIFE® MULTIPURPOSE TABLET SYSTEM
- Step 1: Sanitizer, clarify and prevent algae with POOLIFE® Multipurpose Tablets
- Step 2: Shock treat weekly with POOLIFE® TurboShock
- Step 3: Add sparkle and prevent staining with POOLIFE® Pool Plus
8. Keep a notebook for pool maintenance.
A notebook or maintenance log that includes pool volume, water chemistry readings and the names/amounts of the chemicals added will help you stay on top of your routine maintenance and proactively address any problems that may arise.
9. Test and adjust the pool’s water chemistry.
Proper water chemistry not only protects the pool from staining, corrosion and a long list of other problems, it also ensures that all your chemicals will work properly. Always test water chemistry before adding any chemicals to the pool. Check the expiration date of test strips to ensure accuracy when testing at home, or take a sample to a pool dealer for analysis.
