Guidance
Starting up your pool after winter
The biggest difference between outdoor pool and indoor pool is that the indoor pool is used all year round and more frequently. Whereas the outdoor pool has a season and depends on the weather. There is the opening after winter and closing for the winter.
Indoor pools
As the indoor pools are not exposed to the direct sun and an open air environment, the contamination of indoor pools are generally less intensive compared to outdoor.
Outdoor pools
Outdoor pools are not only contaminated by the users but also from other environmental factors like debris, plants, animals, bugs, etc. They usually need to be skimmed and have their filters cleaned more frequently. They also demand more frequent liner replacements and surface repairs.
Nevertheless, both require the use of chemicals and that the water is balanced.
A pool needs constant monitoring and maintenance. Both also need to have their walls and floors regularly cleaned and vacuumed so the water is clear, and the pool looks clean. Both require that the piping and filtration system works properly.
While there are differences in maintenance, both indoor and outdoor pools require the regular care of a qualified pool service.
How do you start up your pool after the winter time?
- Remove any remains and sticks from the cover of the pool. Remove any remaining water from the cover. Clean the cover with Norlex Clean Line and a gentle brush and water, dry it outside in the sun before storing it in a dry place.
- Clean the skimmers and remove coarse dirt in and around the pool.
- The pump and filter cannot be started before the water level of the pool is raised midway up the skimmer. While waiting for the water level to increase, check if your equipment is working properly. Refit the pump and replace all drain plugs for the pump, filter heater etc.
- Prime the pump. Make sure all winterizing plugs are removed from the returns and skimmers.
- Once all the plumbing is connected and the water level is raised, check for any leaks. If there are any leaks, turn off the pump and repair them. If there are no leaks present, run the pump nonstop for 24 hrs.
- Clean the sides of the pool and vacuum any debris and waste of the pools bottom. For swimming pools that does not have cartridge filters, the vacuum of the debris can be achieved by switching the filter system valves into bypass the filter sending the water to drain. This will allow all the debris to bypass the filter and be flushed out through the waste port. If necessary, backwash filter and cleanse with Norlex Sand Filter Cleaner.
- The water level will drop if the debris is being flushed out through the waste port, fill up the water with a garden hose while vacuuming. Keep the pump running.
- To clean any remaining dirt, lines and stains of the pools walls you can use Norlex’ Clean Line.
- Check the water parameters with your water test equipment. The sample of the water should always be taken from the deep end of the pool and at least an elbow deep into the water while the pump and filter are running.
- The first factor that should be checked is the cyanuric acid as that will determine whether you should replace more water with fresh water. Cyanuric acid level should be checked before heating up the water (if pool has a heating system). If the cyanuric acid is above 30ppm reduce the level to 10 ppm by adding/replacing fresh water. This is necessary because too high levels of cyanuric acid will lock the chlorine in reserve, making the disinfection effect less efficient. Cyanuric acid should be low in the beginning of the season to allow the use of stabilized chlorine during the season.
- Bring the water values into balance.
- To treat any algae and sanitize the water perform a shock treatment with chlorine. Use Norlex Granulate or Hypochlorite, as these products do not contain cyanuric acid.
- While treating the pool water with shock treatment it is important to turn the circulation pump on. The pump should be running continuously for at least 24 hours. After that you can schedule the pool to run the pump on a timer.
- If the water is hazy, it means that the water contains dispersed particles that are too small to be caught by the filter. Treat the water with Norlex Super Clear or Solufloc that will form the particles into bigger flocs that will be removed by the filter.
- Now you have a sparkling clean pool. Enjoy!