Swimming pool pre-season preparation
If your swimming pool is closed down over the winter period you will need to check it and prep it before you start a new season's pool use. Provided that there are no serious problems this is something that most swimming pool owners can undertake themselves.
You should aim to start this pre-season check at least a week before you anticipate regular use of the pool to allow time for the resolution of any unforeseen problems and to ensure sufficient time to balance the pool's water.
Naturally, the longer that your pool has been out of order the longer it will take to clean and check the pool components. You will also need to chemically correct the water.
If you do not feel confident or qualified to undertake this process yourself you should seek the services of a swimming pool contractor or a pool cleaning and maintenance service.
Important - Once you have removed the cover from the pool, make certain that any potential pool users (e.g. family members) are aware that the pool is not to be used until the prepping is complete.
Pre-season check list
Start by removing the pool cover and perform a detailed visual check to spot any visible problems. This requires nothing more than common sense and general observation.
Unless your swimming pool liner or tiles and grout are old, there should not be any major problem, however, if there is you may need to bring in a specialist to perform some remedial work.
Things to check
- Look for damage to the pool liner or, if tiled, check the condition of the tiles and grout.
- Look at any tracking and beading and make sure that it is secure and in good condition.
- Look for, and remove, any debris that has found its way into the pool.
- Be as observant as possible and systematically check the base, the walls and the edging of the pool for damage, wear or any other potential problems.
Cleaning and functional prepping
Checking the physical construction of the pool is only one part of the job, the next task is to clean and check the pool's components.
Check the pump and ensure that it works correctly. If there appears to be a problem get a service engineer in to remedy it. Your pump has to work or you cannot progress beyond this point.
Clean the filter. How this is done will be determined by the filter type. This may result in the requirement of a new cartridge or, for most filters, simple backwashing (which used the pump). At this stage both the filter and the pump should now be tested and working and this means that they can be used to clean the pool water.
Cleaning the pool and its auxiliary piping and equipment is big task. It should be performed in stages.
Start by cleaning the walls and the base of the pool. They may have accumulated debris or bacteria, or simply harbour general dirt and discoloration. This can be done with an automated pool cleaner, or with manual cleaners.
Next correct the balance of the water. After a long break it will need treating (and possibly multiple treatments). With the pump and filter working this is simply a case of repeating the normal water balancing regime that you would perform periodically.
Once the pump and filter are working and the water is balanced, turn the heater on and check that your boiler, condenser, heat exchanger or other heating appliance is in full working order. Look for tell-tale signs of problems like noisy operation or smoke. Check that the thermostat and timer are functioning and that the timer clock is showing the correct time. If you detect any problems call a service engineer.
Finally, check and clean the underside of your UV pool cover. It may have accumulated dirt and debris and you do not want this to re-enter the pool when it is next covered.