It is necessary to clean your winter pool before opening it for the season after a long and cold winter. This article will teach you how to clean your above-ground pool after the winter.
Above-ground pools must be adequately cleaned before they can be used, whether you have an existing one or plan to install one soon. Chemical imbalances can cause your pool to become dirty or even unsafe to swim in without proper care and maintenance.
It takes some planning and works to complete the cleaning process. No matter if you have invested in a quality automatic pool cleaner, deep cleaning is a must. Even the highest quality pool cleaning equipment cannot withstand winter storms.
Even the best pool washers can’t keep up with winter. Preparing the pool for the summer is not as easy as it sounds. However, if you prepare in advance and try to complete the task, you will surely succeed.
It will take a few days of work. After the winter, you can enjoy a warm, hot summer day to make sure your pool is cleaned and disinfected. I offer some important tips and procedures to answer your question on “How To Clean an Above Ground Pool After Winter.”
So let’s start learning tips!
Steps by Step Guide on How To Clean an Above Ground Pool After Winter
You may start thinking about swimming as the weather gets warmer. During the winter, harsh temperatures and precipitation might leave the water less clean and inviting than you’d like.
To reopen your pool after a cold season, you will need to remove the cover, inspect the water, and devise a plan for cleaning it. Following these steps, prepare your inground or aboveground pool for the upcoming warm season.
Step1- Preparations
Before cleaning the pool in winter, ensure you have the right equipment. To clean your pool best, you will need test kits, cleaning products, pool brooms, pool brushes, and skimmer nets. You also need to pay attention to the surrounding area. If flowers, bushes, or tree branches are sticking out, clean them all before starting the process.
Step2- Remove The Pool Cover
Most of the pools are closed in winter. Therefore, the first step in pool cleaning is to remove the pool cover. But be careful. If there is any debris or leaves on the pool cover, remove them first. That way, you don’t have to find them in the above-ground pool. You can put the pool cover somewhere to dry thoroughly or clean it for the next winter if needed.
Step3- Check Pool Construction
Whatever the structure of the underground pool, it is very important to inspect and check the structure to make sure everything is perfect. Check for cracks, stains, and tile removal and fix any problems. If you have harsh pool stains, you can find many pool stain remover products that can help clean these stains and give your pool floor a better feel.
Step4- Examine essential parts
Let’s take a look at the construction of a swimming pool. Cracks, loose tiles, dirt, crevices, etc., can be exacerbated by existing pressure or swimming in both underground and above-ground pools. Check if it is. Now is the time to fix it.
Step5- Pump and filter Adjustment
Check the pump and filter for damage and accumulation of dirt. Look closely at the O-ring around the cartridge element and cap if you have a cartridge filter. Replace if necessary. For sand filters, you need to backwash. Using new filter sand is even better. For other small filters, clean or replace the mesh.
Inspect the pump, open the valve and remove the plug. Start the pump and check for leaks. Look at the pressure gauge. You should see the bubbles swirling around the pool.
Step6- Check the water level and clean the pool.
Pools often lose some water in the winter, so end with fresh water if needed. You need the right amount to balance the chemicals.
Vacuum the pool while the pump is running. If you have a good pool cover, debris should be minimal. Polish the edges, stairs, and stairs in the corners or behind the vacuum cleaner. Circulate the water in the pool pump for at least 24 hours to filter out loose dirt. During this step, clean the filter cartridge and basket several times.
Step 7- Test & Balance Pool Water
Running the pump for one day will help you get accurate measurements when you’re ready to test chemicals. One option is to get a water sample at a local pool store. They often test for free to measure minerals, pH, and chlorine. While there, you can stock up on the items you need for your test strips and test kits.
- pH Level- Test the water level to check the chemicals in the pool to ensure they are balanced. If the pH level of the pool water is between 7.2 and 7.4, it is in this range. If it’s high or low, use soda ash to return to normal.
- Alkalinity level– Pool cleaning contains a total of 80-120 alkalinities. If the pool has a low alkalinity level, use baking soda to increase it. If it’s high, use hydrochloric acid to lower it.
- Chlorine- The average chlorine level in pool water should be 1-3 ppm. Therefore, add the right amount of chlorine to keep the water balanced.
- Calcium- It is necessary to maintain the correct hardness of the calcium to maintain the correct balance of the pool. Calcium hardness should be between 200ppm and 400ppm. Be sure to test the pool water before adding any chemicals. For this reason, you should add pool chemicals that you do not need to your pool so that you do not spend money on things you do not need.
Step8- Ensure water circulation
Algae spread rapidly into underground pools due to some water cycle problems. There is a dead end due to insufficient circulation.
The pool pump circulates water. But they aren’t doing a great job because of the dead zone. Use an omnidirectional return jet to improve the situation, but provide a pool brush to circulate the water manually.
Step9- Shock the pool
Add chemical chlorine shocks to the pool and ensure the water is safe for you and your family to swim in before using it to destroy algae spores and bacteria. After shocking the pool, you need clean, fresh water.
Step10- Swimming time
You are ready to swim when the water is clear and the chemicals live harmoniously. This can take a week or more. Maintain the pool by cleaning the filters regularly and vacuuming at least once a week. If possible, try testing the chemical daily, at least a couple of times a week. Keeping the pool clean and balanced with chemicals will allow you to enjoy an extended swimming season!
When is it necessary to open the pool?
The sooner time allows, the better. Opening the pool as soon as the ice melts simplify the opening process and facilitates the transition. Early and late spring are ideal times (depending on the weather). Usually, if it’s too cold, it’s hot enough to run the pump for a few hours, not all day. If you open the pool in the spring, you can use it when the first hot day of the pool season arrives. But if the pond takes too long to open, warm, untreated water will benefit the growth of blue-green algae.
For this reason, it should be aimed to open the pool at the end of spring (early) just before the beginning of summer to prevent algae formation and extend the pool season.
Does bleach damage the pool liner?
No, bleach does not damage the pool liner. In fact, it’s a common and effective way to clean the lining. However, it is important to use the correct bleach concentration and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
What should additional procedures be taken to remove algae from an empty pool on the ground?
If additional cleaning is required after draining the above-ground pool due to algae, there are a few things to keep in mind. In-ground pool liners are more fragile than in-ground pools. The liner is usually a thin layer of vinyl, so do not use excessively alkaline chemicals or high concentrations of chlorine when cleaning the pool liner. Do not use metal brushes.
Using wire brushes to clean concrete-lined pools in in-ground pools is common. However, in underground pools, the coating can be damaged or torn.
Conclusion
I have provided a step-by-step guide for cleaning the ground pool after winter.
Follow the steps above to keep your pool clean and enjoy this summer. Make sure to clean thoroughly after winter, as this is essential for your health and pool life.
The life of the pool can be extended by balancing the water and cleaning the bottom and walls.
With all these valuable tips on How To Clean an Above Ground Pool After Winter, you are ready to grab your wetsuit and dive into your pool! Please do not skip the steps provided. Otherwise, you will spend the summer swimming in the terrible sea.
Have a safe Swimming!