Pool Startup: Easy as 1-2-3

Keeping a pool clear and blue is all about preparation, knowledge, and maintenance. Set your pool up for success this season with this easy three-step pool preparation process.

When spring arrives, many maintenance teams across the country prepare to open their swimming pools for the warmer seasons. The dates may differ by region—and some areas never really close—but the process of preparing the pool for swimmers is fundamentally the same. The right steps, completed in the right order, will ensure a clear, clean, inviting pool residents will love.

DAY 1

The first step is to find out what you’re working with. Does the water look clean? What’s the pH? Is all the equipment in good working order? Follow this process to answer those questions.

Test the chemical balance of the water using a complete test kit.
- This test kit can measure chlorine, bromine, pH, acidity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid.
Clean the pool filter to remove built-up minerals, grease, or scale. Tip: make sure the filter cleanser is compatible with your pool sanitizing system.
If necessary, fill the pool. When adding fresh water, protect equipment and surfaces from mineral stains using a stain sequestering agent.
Start the pump and filtration equipment to make sure the system is running properly.
Vacuum and skim the pool to remove any debris.
Keep the filter running at least 24 hours to clear the water; if needed, add a clarifying agent.

DAY 2

Provided everything checked on Day 1 was in good working order, this step is all about making sure the pool water is clean and balanced.

Start by testing the chemical balance of the water as you did on Day 1 using your complete test kit.
Restore the sparkle to the water and destroy potential contaminates using a non-chlorinated shock oxidizer.
Test the chemical balance of the water again and balance alkalinity or pH as needed
- Increase alkalinity (target range 80 - 120ppm)
- Lower pH level (target range 7.2 - 7.8)
Sanitize water, allow sanitizer to circulate overnight
- TIP: Delivery systems differ, make sure the sanitizer chosen is compatible with your system.

If all the chemistry terms and processes feel overwhelming, these videos will help:

DAY 3

This step is all about making ongoing maintenance easier. What needs to be done will depend on what kind of sanitizer is being used. The sun can consume chlorine in a matter of a few hours. The cyanuric acid in pool stabilizer is designed to:

Prevent chlorine from being rapidly consumed by ultraviolet rays in sunlight
Optimize the performance of pool sanitizer
Help prevent corrosion and staining
Note: Pool stabilizer is not necessary in bromine pools

Follow these steps over three days. Carefully read and follow all individual product instructions, and your pool should be sparkling blue and ready for residents to enjoy.

What if the pool isn’t blue?

Even when you’re working hard, doing everything right, sometimes it feels like the water just doesn’t want to cooperate. Is it cloudy and dull? Green, brown, red, or yellow? Whatever the trouble, there’s a solution. Check out Chadwell Supply’s Pool Problem Solver to find the right fix, fast.

THANK YOU to our friends at GLB^TM for their help with this pool prep checklist.

For more tips, tricks, and product knowledge to help with all your pool needs, visit Product Knowledge: Pool