STEP 1: Remove the cover from the pool. Use Stow Away
on the cover before storing to prevent mildew and odor. (Tip for above ground pools: If there is a lot of water on top of the cover and you have trouble removing it, fill the pool with water before removing the cover. Connect you equipment and fill the pool extra full so that the water on top of the cover runs off, then pull the cover off. The less rain water and debris that is spilt into the pool, the easier it will be to get the water looking great.)
STEP 2: Reconnect all equipment. Did you disconnect any hoses in the fall? Have you changed the sand in the filter lately? (Now is a good time to replace the sand.) There is a
plug that needs to be put in the bottom of the sand filter. Also, some pumps have a plug that is removed during the winter. STEP 3: Clean out skimmer and replace skimmer baskets.
Remove any large debris from the pool. STEP 4: If water level is low, add water to mid-skimmer level. (Inground pools: You will need the pool to be extra full - above the
skimmer. Once full, set valve to "waste" setting, open all valves (to returns, skimmer, and bottom drain) and turn on the pump. What you are doing is removing the winterizing antifreeze from the lines. Let the
water run for a couple of minutes. Turn off the pump, set valve to "backwash" setting, turn pump back on to backwash the sand. Let run for 3-4 minutes.) STEP 5: Brush, vacuum, and clean pool.
Once the pool is clean, chemically clean the filter with Strip Kwik and Kleen It
if it was not cleaned prior to winterizing (it would also be a good idea to clean the sand if the pool is really dirty or there was a lot of algae growth). If it has been longer than one year since the filter media has been chemically cleaned, it may be necessary to replace the sand. (It is recommended that the filter sand replaced every year in pools using Soft Swim.)
STEP 6: Allow pool to circulate 24-48 hours. After circulating, bring in a water sample.
Take sample from well below the surface. DO NOT take sample until pool has circulated at least 24 hours. This could result in inaccurate testing.
STEP 7: Follow balancing and maintenance instruction on the ALEX (water test) printout. There will be a list of what chemicals need to be added and how much to add. |
