Open and maintain your pool...

The best time to open the pool is in early spring, when the snow has melted and the sun’s rays are getting warmer. The following checklist, organized in chronological order, will help you get the job done without a hitch. The instructions are fairly typical; however, they may vary depending on the type or make of pool and equipment you have.

Basic directions for all types of pools

• Check the general condition of the pool, pump and filter system.
• Repair or replace damaged parts, such as hoses, valves, skimmer basket, skimmer lid, and O-rings.
• Tighten any loose fittings, collars and connectors.
• Take the chemicals out of storage and replace those that have exceeded the expiration date.
• Buy any missing products, accessories or equipment before continuing with the opening.
• If you have a sand filter and it appears to be clogged with algae, change the sand. Replace sand every 3-5 years.
• Remove leaves, debris and water from the winter pool cover.
• Carefully pull off the cover, clean it and let it dry, then fold it up for storage.
• Remove all the plugs from the skimmers and returns.

Chlorine swimming pool

• Cleaning the pool
  • Scoop out as much dirt and leaf debris as possible from the bottom of the pool using a leaf basket and hand skimmer.
  • Clean the water ring or scum line with a degreaser.
  • Install the filter and accessories.
  • Fill the pool until the water level reaches above the skimmer opening.
  • Turn on your main breaker to start up the pump.
  • Backwash the filter.
  • Vacuum the bottom of the pool.
  • Connect the filter system. Your pool should be running normally now.
• Balancing the water
  • Bring a sample of your pool water to a local pool dealer for analysis.
  • Check the pH level.
  • Apply a pool shock treatment.
  • Wait 24 hours and do a backwash.
  • Run the pump 24 hours a day until the water is clear.
  • Balance the water chemistry according to the following table:

  Pool water components	Acceptable levels	Recommended levels	To raise	To lower
  Chlorine/Bromine	1.0 to 3.0 ppm	1.0 to 3.0 ppm	Add chlorine
  pH	7.2 to 7.8	7.4 to 7.6	Add a pH increaser	Add a pH reducer
  Total alkalinity (chlorine)	80 to 120 ppm	120 ppm	Add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)	Add a pH reducer
  Total alkalinity (bromine)	100 to 150 ppm	150 ppm	Add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)	Add a pH reducer
  Calcium hardness	200 to 300 ppm	200 to 300 ppm	Add calcium	Only a water softener will lower the calcium hardness.
  Stabilizer	30 to 100 ppm	40 to 60 ppm	Add a stabilizer (also called conditioner) = cyanuric acid	Add granular chlorine until the stabilizer level is within the recommended range.

   

Swimming pool with a salt water chlorinator (chlorine generator)

• Cleaning the pool
  • Scoop out as much dirt and leaf debris as possible from the bottom of the pool using a leaf basket and hand skimmer.
  • Apply a pool shock treatment or use a “correct kit”.
• Follow these steps to adjust the water balance factors:
  • Turn off the chlorine generator before adding any chemical product.
  • Wait two hours before turning it back on. The water temperature has to reach 60°F (15.5°C) before any salt is added to ensure it dissolves and does not crystallize.
  • Bring a sample of your pool water to a local pool store for analysis or test it yourself; add the required amount of salt depending on the reading. Turn the chlorine generator back on. Wait 12 hours and test the salt level again. Continue adding small quantities of salt until the salt level is between 2,800 and 3,100 ppm.
  • Add salt directly to the pool water to prevent damaging the filter system and other pool components.
  • Make sure the chlorine generator has reset.
  • The chlorinator cannot operate at full capacity when the water temperature is below 12°C. A warning message may be displayed in this case, but can be disregarded.
  • Adjust the chlorinator’s percentage setting to the desired level and check it for the next 5 to 7 days.
  • Do a full water test every month and adjust the chemical levels accordingly to maintain proper water balance.

There are a number of chemical products available to maintain perfectly sanitized, sparkling clear pool water. For best results, always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.

Additional instructions

• Store pool chemicals in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Never add more than one product to the water at a time.
• Keep chlorine away from metal parts to avoid corrosion.
• Always dilute the chemical in a container of water before adding it to the pool.
• Never add water to chlorine, as it may cause a violent reaction.
• Hot, sunny days will affect the chlorine level.
• Add a clarifier if the water is murky or cloudy.
• If you are unable to obtain clear, clean water, have it analyzed by a pool professional.

Product	Description	Application(s)
	Effective at killing contaminants, bacteria and other potentially harmful, non-filterable microorganisms. Dissolves fast and leaves no residue. Does not affect pH.	Add the chlorine, as needed, to the pool water. Because the granular form is more volatile than the tablet form, it should be added daily to maintain proper chlorine levels.
	Kill bacteria and organic pollutants, prevent the growth of algae.	Insert the tablets in a floating chlorine dispenser; they will slowly dissolve in the water. Most tablets contain a stabilizer, which helps prevents chlorine loss. However, over time, it will reduce the overall effectiveness of the chlorine.
	Removes grease, oil, and scum from vinyl pool liner, walls and tiles. Abrasive-free.	Use a brush especially designed for cleaning swimming pools. Read and follow package instructions carefully.
	Concentrated product for vinyl pool liners. Helps break down organic matter. Biodegradable.	Ideal for cleaning the water ring and edges of the pool before filling it.
	Contains everything you need to open your pool in the spring. Products may also be sold separately. Pictured product includes: One kilo shock treatment Four litres of 5% algaecide One litre of clarifier Manufacturers each have their own pool start-up kits; products may differ from those shown.	Follow the instructions in this guide on how to use shock treatment, algaecide and clarifier products.
	Used to test pool water balance for pH and alkalinity (hardness) levels, and often other components, to ensure a safe and sanitary swimming environment. Helps you to maintain proper water balance.	Three types are available: Strips are easy to use: simply dip a strip into the pool water then compare the various squares on the strip to the corresponding chart. Dropper or liquid test kit: adding the reagents to the water produces a change in the test water colour. This colour change is then compared with the accompanying chart. A recent innovation, the digital test strip reader displays results for free chlorine, bromine, pH and alkalinity on a LED screen.
	Used to raise the total alkalinity level to the recommended range of between 80 and 120 ppm.	Test the water’s alkalinity level after having cleaned the filter. Add the necessary amount of increaser to raise the level to between 80 and 120 ppm. Let the pool water circulate for four hours before re-testing the total alkalinity.
	Used to increase the pH level and neutralize acid water.	Low pH is usually a sign that the alkalinity level is too low; the alkalinity must be adjusted BEFORE raising the pH. Add product and let the pool water circulate for four hours before re-testing the pH.
	Used to decrease the pH level, when the alkalinity level is too high (above 120 ppm).	Warning: do not put the product directly into the pool water. Pour the acid slowly into a bucket of water, mix carefully and add it to the pool. Let the pool water circulate for four hours after the product has been added and re-test the pH.
	Increases water hardness. Used to increase the level of water hardness to the recommended range of between 200 and 300 ppm.	If the reading shows low hardness, add the product as directed and let the pool water circulate for four hours before re-testing.
	Prevents the growth of algae or helps kill chlorine-resistant algae that have grown in the pool.	Pour the product into the pool and wait 24 hours before applying a shock treatment. Use the highest concentration algaecide (40%) to treat the water when opening the pool in the spring to get rid of all the algae. Use lower concentrations (5%, 10% or 15%) to prevent the growth of algae, such as when the chlorine level is low. Note: algae should not be a problem with proper chlorine use. Prevent algae by maintaining a pH level of 7.4 or less, and by regularly cleaning the filters, sides and bottom of your pool.
	Polymer-based liquid. Binds suspended particles together so they can be trapped by the filter, keeping water crystal clear. Does not affect pH.	Add the product no less than one hour after shocking the pool. Use when the water is cloudy and fails to respond to normal treatments (pH, alkalinity, hardness, chlorine). Note: ensure the clarifier you use is compatible with the type of filter installed in your pool.
	Composed of cyanuric acid, it prevents chlorine loss due to UV radiation.	Dilute product in a bucket of hot water and pour into the skimmer. Let pool water circulate for four hours before re-testing. Use at the start of the season and at two-month intervals or when the chlorine level is above 30 ppm. Note: a stabilized chlorine sanitizer eliminates the need for you to add a stabilizer.
	Kit for opening salt pool. Pictured product includes: 1.5 kg salt shock, 500 mL of CellProtect and 500 gr of Oxy	Use the salt first to shock the pool water, follow this with CellProtect, and finish with Oxy, which acts as a natural disinfectant.
	Improves water circulation and quality. Leaves the skin feeling soft. Less damaging to bathing suits. One 20-kg bag adds 500 ppm to a 40,000-litre pool.	Test a sample of water and add the required amount of salt until the proper salt level is reached.

Nothing is more important than having the right products to properly open and maintain a swimming pool. A pool professional will recommend the equipment and accessories most suitable for your pool.

For high quality swimming pool water, it is important to have a pool water maintenance schedule. Dividing maintenance tasks into daily, weekly and monthly segments can make the whole pool-care process easier. There’s nothing more enjoyable than relaxing by a clean and sparkling pool on hot summer days!

The products used to maintain the pool water balance when you open the pool in spring are also used to maintain the water balance throughout the season.

Daily maintenance

• Test the water balance using a pool water test kit or a digital test strip reader that checks the calcium, alkalinity and pH levels simultaneously (a great time saver).
• Add product as needed if your levels are outside the recommended parameters; be sure to follow the product manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use the leaf skimmer to remove debris.
• At the end of the day, place the solar cover on the pool to retain the heat at night.
• Remove the cover in the morning and check the chlorine level. If the test reading is under 2, add chlorine.

Weekly maintenance

• Clean the pool and backwash the filter.
• Test chlorine and pH levels and add product as needed if your levels are outside the recommended parameters. During a heat wave, check the chlorine and pH levels every other day.
• Add a dose of algaecide (once a week).
• Bring a water sample to your authorized dealer for testing.

Monthly maintenance

• The pool water must be tested for total alkalinity and hardness every month. Having water with a balanced total alkalinity level will allow you to use fewer chemical products.

Salt water swimming pool maintenance

There’s nothing to it! Using a salt water chlorinator means fewer chemicals are needed. It’s also easy to increase the salt content after backwashing the pool or following a heavy downpour; simply add enough salt until the recommended level of between 2,800 and 3,100 ppm is reached.

Tips to save water and energy

• Adding a timer to your filter pump can save you up to $100 in electricity costs in just one summer – it’s worth every penny!
• Using a cover is a good way to prevent heat loss; it also helps reduce water evaporation.
• Set your pool timer to have the filter operate during the daytime, so you can enjoy quiet nights.

• Select a timer suitable for the pump motor size.
• Buy a timer specifically designed to control motors rated at least 15 amperes with an inductive load rating of at least 1 hp.
• If you heat your pool with a heat pump, don’t use a timer, because the water must be kept circulating the entire time the heat pump is in operation.
• Make sure that any timer installed outdoors is designed for outdoor use.
• In-ground pool timers may require that a licensed electrician be used to ensure a safe and proper installation, especially if electrical panel wiring is involved. If the pump is located above the water level, make sure there’s no air leakage and that the pump doesn’t dry up to avoid damaging it.