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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 .
  • 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 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 .
• Start the pump and filtration equipment to make sure the system is running properly.
• Vacuum and the pool to remove any debris.
• Keep the filter running at least 24 hours to clear the water; if needed, add a .

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 .
• Test the chemical balance of the water again and balance alkalinity or pH as needed
  • (target range 80 - 120ppm)
  • (target range 7.2 - 7.8)
• Sanitize water, allow 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 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s to find the right fix, fast.

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

Stock up on pool care essentials and make sure your property is fully prepared all season long.

Interested in earning your Pool & Spa Operator Certification? Chadwell University offers CPO training and exams, delivered in-person, on-site.