Spring Checklist for Preparing a Swimming Pool for Summer in Mild Climates

Spring is here and once again the hot sun is on it's way. After a long cold winter, most of us are looking forward to a summer of outdoor activities that includes enjoying the backyard swimming pool. But before sending out invitations for the first big pool party, the swimming pool needs a good spring tune up to make sure the pool water will remain crystal clear through the summer. If you live in a mild climate, following is a spring tune up checklist to help prepare the pool for the hot summer months to follow.

Pool Cover - if the pool had a pool cover on during the winter months, remove the cover and properly store it for it's next use.

Inspect All Pool Equipment - inspect the skimmer basket and pool pump strainer basket for any cracks or damage that might allow debris to pass through and clog up the pump impeller. Inspect the pump lid o-ring and automated chlorinator o-ring for cracks or wear. Inspect the pool cleaner bag for any rips or tears. Replace any damaged equipment as needed.

Clean and Inspect Main Pool Filter - for sand filters, backwash the filter or replace the sand according to the owner's manual schedule. For cartridge and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters, disassemble the filter and clean the filter elements or grids. After cleaning, inspect the cartridges or grids for any damage and replace if necessary. Remember to inspect the main filter o-ring and pressure gauge for wear or damage and replace if necessary. Reassemble the filter and for DE filters, recharge with DE right away.

Test Pool Equipment - turn on the main pool pump and pool cleaner pump. With the pool equipment on, observe and inspect the equipment for any leaks or other maintenance issues. Make sure the pool pump primes properly and that there is a good water flow throughout the system, and that there aren't any leaks. Observe the pool cleaner to make sure it is running properly. Again, replace or repair any equipment not in good working order.

Test Pool Water Balance - now that the pool filter is clean and all the pool equipment is in good order, it's time to test and adjust the pool water balance. Before testing, make sure to buy new test kit reagents and always follow the test instructions carefully for accurate results. Test ALL pool water chemistry parameters including Chlorine, Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, pH, and Cyanuric Acid. If your test kit doesn't test for one or more of these parameters, take a sample of water to the local pool store and get it tested.

Adjust Pool Water Balance - make any necessary adjustment to bring all pool water chemistry parameters into acceptable ranges. Extra efforts to obtain balanced pool water according to the Langelier Saturation Index will pay big dividends. Most pool owners take for granted how important properly balanced pool water chemistry is relative to the health of a swimming pool. Getting this one issue as exact as possible can help avoid many different pool problems and potentially save hundreds of dollars each year. Adjustments to pool water chemistry should be made gradually and in a certain order. Learn the proper way to make adjustments to your pool's water chemistry by reading these articles on pool water chemistry.

Clean the Pool - next thoroughly clean the pool. Scoop any debris from the bottom of the pool and skim it from the top of the pool. Completely brush the pool including the sides and steps.

Super Chlorinate - when the pool is clean, super chlorinate the pool using liquid chlorine until breakpoint chlorination is reached. This will oxidize any organic waste buildup in the pool.

Brush the Pool - immediately following super chlorination, thoroughly brush the entire pool one more time to expose all surfaces to the super chlorination.

Extended Filter Run - immediately after super chlorinating, run the filter for a minimum of 24 - 36 hours. After this extended filter run, the pool should be crystal clear.

Reset Timers for Summer - after the extended filter run is complete, reset the pool timers to for the summer season. In mild climates, this is typically 6 - 8 hours a day, depending on the size of the pool and how often it gets used. During the hot summer months, make sure to error on running the filter for longer rather than shorter cycles.

Time to Swim? - DO NOT SWIM UNTIL the chlorine reading is in the normal range of 3 - 5 ppm.

Your swimming pool should now be crystal clear and ready for the summer. Impress your friends with a sparkling pool all year long by sticking to a strict weekly pool maintenance routine that includes balanced pool water chemistry, proper sanitation, and a clean filter. With continuous and proper attention the average pool should only take 10 - 15 minutes a week to maintain. If you don't have the time, consider hiring a pool service professional to care for the pool each week.