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HOW TO "OPEN"
YOUR POOL AT THE
START OF A SEASON
THE BASIC OBJECTIVE of "opening" your pool is to
get it, as quickly as possible, to the point where all you have
to do is follow regular maintenance procedures. There are 6 main
steps involved in doing that:
1) FILL THE POOL TO THE DESIRED LEVEL.
2) CHECK PUMP, FILTER, AND CIRCULATING SYSTEM.
3) ADJUST THE pH LEVEL.
4) ADJUST THE "TOTAL ALKALINITY"
5) SUPERCHLORINATE.
6) STABILIZE.
1) FILLING THE POOL. Your pool should be filled up
to the middle of the skimmer. It's important to keep the water
at a level where surface debris can be trapped. Since water evaporates
and gets dragged or splashed out by swimmers, you'll have to
add water from time to time.
2) CHECK PUMP, FILTER AND CIRCULATING SYSTEM. These
mechanical components must be in proper working order. They must
be cleaned and maintained and, if removed for winter storage,
must be properly installed.
3) ADJUST THE pH LEVEL. Once the pool is filled with
water and you're satisfied that the hardware is is working properly,
test the water's pH level. Chemical adjustments should be made
with the circulating system operating. NOTE: You'll probably
need new reagents for your test kit, since the one you bought
last season may not be reliable after being stored all winter.
If your pH level needs adjusting, apply either pH PLUS or pH
MINUS according to the label directions. The ideal comfort level
ranges from 7.2 - 7.8.
4) ADJUST TOTAL ALKALINITY. You'll need a total alkalinity
kit for this, but check your pool chemical dealer first since
they can tell you whether or not there is an alkalinity problem
in your area. Correcting total alkalinity is easy, and your dealer
has the appropriate products to help you do this. Just remember
to test weekly and maintain total alkalinity at 100 - 130 ppm.
5) SUPERCHLORINATE. As your pool must be superchlorinated
weekly it must also be superchlorinated when the pool is opened.
To superchlorinate, you simply add 1 litre of liquid chlorine
per 10,000 litres of water. If you are using dry chlorine add
10 ounces per 10,000 litres of water.
6) STABILIZE. If you are using stabilizing chlorine
on a daily basis you will only have to add stabilizer to your
pool water when you refill your swimming pool. If you are using
unstabilized chlorine you will have to add stabilizer on a continuous
basis. The best way to check your water for stabilizer is to
have your chemical dealer check it.
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