The annual preparation of your pool for the new season is much less difficult if during the winter months the swimming pool cover stayed on the pool.  If the pool cover did fall into the pool, it becomes a very time consuming and unpleasant chore.  Getting someone else to prepare you pool would be the easiest, but not likely to happen.  Therefore, we have a few suggestions on retrieving the pool cover from inside the pool and getting the pool ready for the new season.

1. Using a leaf rake (just a skimmer with a big net) remove any debris on the cover while it is still in the pool.  Scoop the debris into the net by pulling it towards you.  Deposit the debris in a container that will allow the water to drain, normally any container with holes will work.  The debris will then be easier to dispose of since it will weigh less and be easier to pick up.  Remember, if you allow the debris container to drain on the deck, a stain could result.

2. Retrieve the cover from the pool after you have removed the debris from on top of it.

3. Check to see that there are no tears, or other damage, that would cause a need to replace or repair the top.  Allowing it to dry after cleaning it, store it away for use again at end of swimming season.

4. Now you must evaluate your swimming pools water condition.  It may not be as bleak as you are expecting.  It will all be dependent on the amount of debris that actually went into the pool.  If you are able to see the bottom of the pool and the amount of debris because the water is clear enough, you can then determine on how to go on.

a. If there is just a little amount of debris and dirt, you can vacuum to waste if your filter system is capable of letting you do that.  This way, it is able to by-pass the filter.

b. Now if by looking, you see a large amount of debris, branches, and leaves there is two avenues that you can choose to do.  The first is if you know the risks involved and the steps taken you can drain the pool.  After it is drained refill with clean water after you have removed the debris.  Ultimately, this could be the least expensive, fastest, and less demanding way to go.  The reasoning is that cleaning out a large amount of debris can take the use of a large amount of chemicals to clear up the water.  It may take hours or weeks to scoop out the debris and then wait for the water to clear and then clean some more.

c. Finally, the other option is if you are unable to drain the pool.  In this case, it is necessary to use your leaf rake or leaf eater (a water-powered vacuum) and remove as much debris as possible even if the bottom is not visible at this time.  Next, so that you can bring back water clarity start the filter system.  It may be necessary to balance the pH and to use chlorine to shock the water abundantly if the water is green and/or murky in color.  Do not concern yourself with the total alkalinity until you have cleaned the water.  The reason for this is if you need to vacuum a large amount of water, you then would need to balance it again.

5. Any algae, dirt or other material left after you cleared out the leaves and other large debris, vacuum now to a waste container.  Balance the chemistry of the water now that you have the pool very clean.

Our final tip is this.  If during the off-season, if you keep the top cover free from debris, you do not have to be concerned about cleaning out the pool later if the top does fall into the pool.

Many pool owners are not aware of the fact that automatic pool cleaners accomplish swimming pool cleaning tasks most efficiently and also save a lot of time.

Here’s a thing or two about Automatic Suction-Side Cleaners:

Automatic Suction-Side Cleaners

Suction side cleaner moves and vacuums debris off the floor of the pool with suction.  They also act as a moving main drain which was mentioned before.  What this does is turns more water over a shorter duration of time, because as the cleaner is under the water the suction is bringing water through the filtration system.

As it moves around the pool the suction side cleaner is agitating and scrubbing the walls reducing the amount of time needed to brush your pool.  This leaves more time for you to enjoy it.  A suction side cleaner is capable of getting smaller particles than a pressure side cleaner because it vacuums right into your filter.  If your pool is positioned in an area that large debris hardly ever gets into your pool this would be a very good choice.  Also since there are no additional pumps, hoses or plumbing it is usually less expensive to install.

A few of the disadvantages of a suction side cleaner are.  Since they vacuum debris straight to the pump basket and filter, it can be a real problem if your pool is in the vicinity of a lot of trees.  The best solution for this would be to purchase a leaf trap to capture the larger debris prior to it reaching your pump basket.  The filter can also affect the cleaner.  Since the cleaner is dependent on the suction of the main pump to operate. As the filter becomes filled, the performance of the cleaner is reduced significantly, so it is imperative to keep the filter clean.

The swimming pool is the hub of family entertainment during summers, if not at all times. The swimming pool filter and the swimming pool pump are the most important parts of a swimming pool as far as costs, maintenance and health of water ate concerned.

The swimming pool filter is however the most important part of the pool amongst the two. You’ve got to know everything…well almost everything about the pool filter if you want to keep it healthy. The common mistake the most pool owners make is to replace the pool filter once it stops performing according to expectations. A good know how of the functioning of the pool filter will not only help you understand it better, but also  help you service it properly.

This is just a general guide; you must read the manufacturers document carefully before you decide on servicing a pool filter. In many cases a simple call to the vendor is all it takes to get your pool filter serviced or replaced for free [if you still qualify for the warranty or guarantee].

Operation:

We use an automatic timer to activate and control the pool filter system. If you don’t use a timer, then all the work is done manually to make sure the system is working properly.

Maintenance of the Pool Filter System:

The most important thing you can do, to make sure your filter system can function efficiently is to clean it according to the use you make.

The first thing that needs to be cleaned are the baskets which are used to trap debris. Remove the cartridges and wash them with a hose until they are clean from all the dirt and the debris they had. If this doesn’t work, you should replace the cartridge.

If you use a sand filter, you should also start by cleaning the baskets. Then you should backwash the filter to clean it. After that you must replace all the diatomaceous earth that has been washed away with new one. Place it into the skimmer and it will go into the filter.

The procedure should be repeated every month. If you use the pool more than the average, you should also clean it more often. Being diligent about cleaning the pool and the filter system you use, you will be able to enjoy your pool for a long time without facing any trouble. You should read and understand everything that the manual advises you before engaging yourself to any special procedure in cleaning the pool.