March 2008  Pool maintenance - Opening your pool for Summer use

Spring his here, summer just around the corner. Those long hot days around and in and out of the pool.  Well now is the time to prepare your pool ready for those days. 

Your pool water should still be clear with no Algae visible. In Spain it is an offence to allow a swimming pool to go green, remember this or you could get a visit from the Local Policia. 

If you have a winter cover, remove the cover and store.  Ensure that the cover is dry before you put it away and if it is of the type that has metal anchoring pieces remove these pieces and store separately. If they are damp and stored with the cover they could stain the cover. When storing your cover make sure it is in a safe place.  Winter covers are a haven for rats and mice to live and breed, so ensure it is not just left in an outhouse, but put somewhere safe. 

If your pump and filter has been running occasionally during the winter you will have no trouble firing it up.  If the equipment was winterised for non-use, then you will need to replace any plugs that were removed and remove any plugs that were fitted.  However if your filter sand has not be changed for three years now is the time to do it.  It is reasonably easy to change the sand, but you have to ensure that you do not damage the laterals and that they are not broken in anyway.  If the laterals are damaged then sand will be pumped into the pool.  You also have to ensure that you put the correct type and amount of sand into the filter, too little your filter will not be working properly, and too much, you will have sand in the pool. 

Select backwash on your multiport valve and run pump for two minutes.  This will get rid of any winter debris and rust that may have formed in the winter.  If the pool has not been vacuumed through the winter or there is a large amount of debris in the pool you will need to vacuum this out. 

Connect your vacuum hose to either your vacuum point or skimmer, in the event of a large amount of leaves in the pool you should vacuum through your skimmer basket with the add of a kornea fitted to the top of the basket.  Turn you multiport valve to waste and vacuum.  This will also have the effect of lowering the pool water if there has been excessive rainfall.  If your pool water is low you will need to top it up before starting.  By vacuuming the winter debris to waste you are ensuring that you do not block your filter.  Excessive amount of leaves will mean that you will need to empty your skimmer basket and pump basket regularly during this operation. 

Once all the debris has been vacuumed away.  Turn your multiport valve to rinse and allow the pump to run for one minute.  This will have the effect of settling the sand down ready for normal filtration after your previous backwash. 

Check the PH of the water and correct if necessary.

Add the amount of Chlorine you would add for a super shock.  Filter continuously for twenty-four hours and then revert to your normal chemical checks and filtration timing. 

Next month Trouble Shooting and Filtration timings 

Any problems you can contact me on either 951167067 or 690088068 

Edward (Ted) Drew M.I.S.P.E.