Spring
Clean Up For Above Ground Pools
(Although
Most Principles Apply To All Pools)
Most pool
water clarity problems during the season are caused by the failure to
completely clean your pool during Spring Cleanup. If your pool water
is really bad, there is no way to clean it without spending several hours
of work. If the water is extremely bad (dark green or black) a
second chemical treatment may be necessary. Warning
!! You may not be able to drain some pools
without causing some physical damage to the pool or liner. If you are not
sure email me at LTP@coxinet.net
for more info.
If you can avoid stirring up the bottom
during any part of the cleanup process, it will make your job much easier. |
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Part
1 --Clean Up-
- Remove cover
carefully. ( You don't want to dump any debris into the pool.)
- Inspect
and tighten the screws around the skimmer and return. NOTE-
Follow pool manufacturer's instructions about replacing gaskets and
inspection of the metal around skimmer and return openings.
- Inspect and
hook up filter system, checking for brittle hose. (Also if you didn't
winterize check for freeze damage in colder climates.)
- Fill the pool
to the proper level, start filter running and make sure you have good
water circulation.
- Remove any
leaves or debris from the pool using a leaf rake or leaf bagger made
for pools.
- Vacuum pool.
NOTE- If the bottom has a lot of dirt and debris, do not pump it
through the filter. Refer to vacuum to waste instructions below.
- During the
Chemical Treatment phase you will have time to clean and wax all metal
parts of the pool as well as clean the vinyl liner at the water line.
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Part
2 Chemical Treatment
- Backwash or
otherwise clean your filter, make sure you have good circulation.
- Test pH of
water. It should be in the normal range (7.2 - 7.8).
- Use ProTeam
Mustard and Black Magic according to the label. (2 level capfuls or 4
oz per 10,000 gallons) add directly to the pool.
- Add 3 lb. Pro
Team Power Magic or Leisure Time Concentrated granular per
10,000 gallons. NOTE- If water is extremely bad, double all dosages.
- Run the filter
continuously and clean as necessary until the pool is clear.
- After the water
has cleared, finish vacuuming any dirt.
- Add algaecide
according to label instructions. Adjust pH to normal (7.2-7.8).
- Start your
normal chlorinating program.
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| Vacuum
To Waste
There are many
times during the care of your pool when you must be able to vacuum the
bottom of the pool. Sometimes, when the dirt is extremely heavy it
will clog the filter. The following information will be helpful..
- If you have a
valve on your filter with a "waste position", simply change
your valve position to waste and vacuum your pool. Keep an eye on the
strainer baskets, they will fill up quickly.
- If you do not
have a waste position on your valve... do one of the following.
- Remove the hose
between the pump and filter, then attach a backwash hose to the
pump. You will be using the pump only. NOTE- The strainer
basket may need to be cleaned often.
- If the pool
water level is above-ground you can use your vacuum as a siphon.
To do this, simply, hook up your vacuum with the pump running and the
vacuum in the water, disconnect the vacuum hose at the skimmer, hold
your hand over the end while it is under the water, pull that end
rapidly over the the edge of the pool below the water line and let go.
The siphon will start. This is the best way to vacuum, but, it can
only be done on an above ground pool. Understand the moves
before you try them. It works well.
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