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.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 7:16 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.