Springtime Swimming Pool Set-Ups Made Easy
by Gabby Hyman
Repair-Home Columnist
Whether you routinely use a pool contractor or local pool service--or even if you take care of your pool on your own--there are standard springtime routines that you can perform now to make sure you'll be able to enjoy a swim party when the weather turns fantastic.
Step-by-Step Spring Pool Set-up
Depending on where you live, you either have a soft or hard pool cover. Much of the prep work depends on how well you skim or sweep off any debris and water pooling on top of the cover before trying to remove it. If you have a mesh cover, rinse it clean and coat it with light oil before stowing it away.
Again, depending on how you put your pool to sleep before winter, you may have to remove any expansion or freeze plugs that you or your contractor fitted over the water return valves or skimmer fittings. This is a good time to add enough fresh water to bring the pool up to safe operating level for the filters and power skimmers.
If you didn't clean your filter when you shut things off last fall, do so now before firing anything up. Be sure to secure all plugs and hoses into all gear and lubricating rings and valves. If you have Teflon tape that you normally use on showerheads and other pipefittings, it works great on pool hardware as well. Assemble any skimmers or baskets you took apart for the winter.
Prime the pump, bleed off any pressure, then start the motor. When you fire up the pump, make sure it doesn't exceed 30 psi (pounds per square inch). If it does, things are probably not seated correctly and you should shut it off. You may have to call in your pool contractor.
Last of all, it's good to get the chemistry right as you start the new season. Use fresh test kit reagents for pH, calcium hardness, and total alkalinity. You can always take a sample into your local pool service office for expert advice.
About the Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.
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