Preparing your Pool for Summer

Preparing your pool for the first swim of the summer is essential to ensure it is clean, safe, and ready to be enjoyed! Here are some tips to make sure you're pool is ready to keep up with your summer plans:

Balance the Pool Chemicals

Use a pool testing kit to check the levels of pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Adjust these levels as needed to ensure the water is safe and comfortable for swimming all summer long.  The pH is ideally between 7.2-7.8. Chlorine is ideally between 1-3. Alkalinity is ideally between 80-120. Calcium hardness is ideally between 200-400.

Clean the Pool

Brush the pool walls by using a pool brush to scrub the sides and bottom of the pool, removing any dirt, algae, or debris. Use a pool vacuum or an automatic pool cleaner to remove debris from the bottom of the pool. Check the water clarity.  The water should be crystal clear. If the pool still looks cloudy, it may need further treatment.

Prepare the Pool Area

Clean the pool deck and surrounding area to remove dirt, leaves, or any other debris. Clean the skimmer basket and pump basket to ensure the water circulates properly.  Make sure the pool's water level is right in the middle of the skimmer. If it's too low, you might need to add more water; if it's too high, you may need to drain some.

Inspect and Test the Pool Equipment

Turn on the pool pump and filter to ensure they're working properly. Check for any leaks, strange sounds, or signs of damage.  Check the pool fence. Ensure the pool fence or gate is in good condition and properly secured to keep children and pets safe. Check pool ladders and steps: Make sure all ladders, steps, and handrails are secure and in good condition.

Test the Pool Temperature

If your pool has a heater, check and adjust the temperature to a comfortable level for swimming. If you're swimming in a heated pool, you may want to turn on the heater a few hours in advance to ensure the water is warm enough.