Pool Opening | Pool Closing |Salt Pools
Tap on these links for content
Opening Your Pool
Pool Cover Care
• Remove debris and excess water from solid pool cover before removing.
• Clean, dry, fold and properly store the cover to avoid any damage
Pool Equipment
• Remove winterizing plugs, gizzmos and replace filter and pump drain plugs.
• Reconnect and perform any maintenance on all equipment.
• Lubricate o-rings, gaskets and hardware.
• Reattach any ladders, hand rails and other accessories.
• Add 5 gallon bucket of water to front of pump to prime system.
• Do not start heaters or generators until water temperature is at least 65-degrees.
Pool Cleaning
• Skim or scoop out any large debris from surface and bottom. Do NOT use automatic pool cleaner for heavy debris.
• If you have excess water in your pool, vacuum to waste (sand and DE filters) until water level is at skimmer functioning level.
• Brush floors and walls thoroughly.
• Allow your filtration system to run overnight before checking chemistry.
Pool Water Care
• Measure water chemistry with test strips.
• When balancing water, total alkalinity should be addressed first.
• Test calcium hardness and add if necessary.
• Add shock to remove bacteria and contaminants. PPP can recommend dosage.
• Wait 24 to 48 hours after shocking to add algaecide.
Visit Our Retail Store
• After 24 hours of your system running, bring water sample to PPP for testing.
• Pick up your chemicals, poles, nets or baskets to maintain your pool for the season.
• Early bird discount on chemicals runs February until March.
Closing Your Pool
The neater you close your pool, the easier it is to open!
• Close late September or October to prevent a fall algae bloom that will only worsen in spring and stain your pool surface.
• If you must close early, retreat your pool with closing chemicals by November 1st.
•Balance all chemicals properly before adding winter chemicals.
• Vacuum pool and remove all debris before closing.
• Add winter algaecide upon closing and again in late Feb/early March to stay algae free.
• Fill water tubes for winter covers only 2/3 full to avoid freeze damage and rolling in winds.
• Use approximately ½ gallon of pool antifreeze per skimmer (more is acceptable).
• Use filter cleaner to cleanse sand, grids and cartridges of oils, dirt and bugs before draining water.
• Water should be lowered to approx. 4” below skimmer surface, or below return line on above ground pools.
• Do not plug the skimmer of an above ground pool.
Salt Pool Maintenance
1. Salt level should be approx. 3000-3400 ppm. Check system manufacturer for exact specifications. Test salt levels monthly or after heavy rain periods.
2. Test pH & Alkalinity weekly, and adjust accordingly. pH should be kept close to 7.2, and alkalinity approx. 80-100. Salt pools cause pH to rise. Not correcting can cause scaling, equipment damage, and unit’s ability to produce effective chlorine.
3. Add a sequestering product regularly to prevent scale buildup on pool surface or equipment. Stain & Scale Control is recommended. See bottle for application.
4. Inspect salt generator cell monthly. Clean salt cell at least once per season and also upon closing pool (only a 15-minute procedure). If cell needs cleaning more than annually, please speak with a PPP service tech as this is usually indicative of chemical imbalances.
5. Shock pool at least every 2 weeks. We recommend using Poolife Quick Swim. This is a non-chlorine shock which contains a clarifier – keeping chlorine levels low & water crystal clear.
6. Use Poolife Enzyme after parties or bad weather to remove organic wastes from excessive bather load or garden debris.
7. Test phosphate levels monthly and adjust if necessary. Excessive phosphate levels can damage your cell generator.
8. Do NOT use water softener salt as it is not purified and will cause staining of your pool surface.
