Ensure A Successful Pool Opening With These Tips

It is that time of year again where we begin to think about and plan for backyard adventures including opening backyard swimming pools.  If you are not familiar with opening a pool you may think it is as simple as pulling the cover off, adding water and jumping in but that is not the case.  Properly opening your swimming pool is important to the lifespan of your pool.  Below are tips and pieces of advice to ensure a successful opening of your pool.

One thing to remember when closing the pool to make opening it easier is not to empty the swimming pool completely.  This is true even in the coldest of climates unless of course you need to do structural repairs or plaster work.  Your swimming pools plaster and care is of utmost important when considering the integrity of your pool.  Other than those reasons it is best to leave water in your gunite swimming pool covered by a secure pool cover.

The nest step in the process of opening your pool for the summer is to thoroughly clean the pool.  Put together the pools filtration devices, clean out all baskets that may or may not have been prepared properly when closing and remove any plugs that were put in place at closing last year.

You will need to add water to the pool.  Before you turn on the filter to makes sure it is clean.  Different filters need to be cleaned differently so be sure to read the instructions that come along with your system.  Sand filters are cleaned differently than D.E. filtration systems.

Take a water sample to your local pool professionals for testing.  Do a complete work up of the mineral content, the alkalinity, ph and chlorine levels.  This test will help to tell you what needs to be added to adjust that water to make it perfect for the upcoming season swimming season.   Balance the chemicals to the ideal levels meant for your pool.

Your swimming pool water will not be ready to swim in until it is completely clear.  This process can take upwards of a week.  Chlorine may need to be added to keep the levels correct.  Make sure you clean the filters daily, if not twice daily to help the water get clear quicker.  If you live in an air of increased pollen, dander, cotton weed or other flying tree gunk leave a cover on the pool when it is not in use.  This will save you a great deal of skimming and vacuuming.

At this point your pool is ready to enjoy.  Keep up on the normal housekeeping and maintain the pools water to ensure a season of pool water ready to swim in everyday.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Ensure A Successful Pool Opening With These Tips

When installing an in-ground pool you have a variety of different surfaces to consider including fiberglass, vinyl, plaster and pebble tec.  The most common type of surface material used when installing an in-ground pool is plaster.  Plaster is available in a variety of colors and textures; additives such as quartz can be added for extra durability. The chemical additions to the plaster help to hide stains and imperfections to the surface of the pool.  Below you will find tips to help ensure your freshly plastered pool surface is perfect.

Plaster During the Spring and Fall

Plastering a pool is best done in the spring and fall months because of the cooler temperatures.  Having plaster laid in the hot months can cause the plaster to dry out prematurely before the water is added to the pool.  It is less worrisome to plaster in the cooler months as a calcium additive can be added to the plaster to naturally speed up the curing of the plaster.

The prime time to have your pool plastered is when the temperature is consistently between fifty and seventy-five degrees with decent humidity.  Contact your local pool plasterer to schedule an appointment to have your pool plastered when the weather is perfect for your area. You can schedule an appointment for the fall even now.  If you know that after this season the pool will need to be re-plastered schedule a time to have it done during the cooler fall months.

Fill the Pool with Water Without Stopping

Having your in-ground pool filled with water all at once is the best situation for a freshly plastered pool.  The best way to accomplish this is to bring water from a hydrant or brought water in via a truck.  The new plaster cures better underwater and is best to be filled quickly.  Do not stop filling the pool with water at any point a dirt line or demarcation line will occur and is not the perfect addition to a newly plastered pool

Keep the Pool Clean

It is so important that your pool stay clean especially during the first few weeks after having it freshly plastered.  Dirt and leaves can stain new plaster so it is important that they are not allowed to find a home in your pool.  Instead of using a manual or automatic pool cleaner get out the pool brush.  Use the pool brush a few times a day, if possible, to keep the sides clean while also using a skimming net to filter out floating debris.

Balance the Chemicals in the Pool Water

Fresh plaster requires balanced pool chemicals.  The plaster will naturally have a high pH condition so it will be important add a pH reducer as necessary.  During the first year keep an eye on and adjust the total alkalinity regularly.  The calcium hardness needs to be maintained as well as if any of these things is off balance your plaster can etch or pit.  Not exactly the look you want for a newly plastered swimming pool.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.