Maintaining your swimming pool is essential for healthy summer fun, but it can be easy to forget all the details involved with proper pool maintenance. Whether you’re looking for a guide to pool maintenance for beginners or you need to jog your memory on the specifics of pool care, this handy printable guide has everything you need to stay safe and get the best use of your pool all summer long.
A swimming pool is fun to have, but there are many potential dangers to look out for. These tips will help you watch for general safety issues. We’ll also discuss the dangers related to chemicals used for pool maintenance in and around your pool.
Before opening the cover of your pool, sweep or hose away any debris in the area surrounding your pool. After the area is clean, take the time to remove any water and debris from the pool cover with a pump or shop vac. Open the cover to begin prepping the pool. Don’t forget to clean and store your pool cover properly.
If you properly winterized your pool, water levels will be 18 to 20 inches lower than its usual depth. Use your garden hose to fill the water to its normal level. It’s important not to reconnect hoses or start the filter until the pool is at its proper water level.
Open the skimmer valve and reconnect the heater, pump, and chemical feeders. Remove any winter plugs and reinstall drain plugs. Allow water to flow through the circulation system and circulate the water in the pool.
Test the pH level of the water (see Testing the Water Chemistry below) and shock the pool. It will take several days for the pool to become balanced. Keep the pump running 24 hours a day in the beginning. Then start reducing the run time by an hour or two each day until the water is balanced. When the water is balanced, run the pump 8-12 hours a day during the daytime or when adding chemicals for general pool maintenance.