Re-opening the pool after winter: step-by-step start-up instructions
Re-opening a swimming pool is one of the stages in preparing an open artificial reservoir for use in the new season.The complexity of maintaining the structure, the total resource of the pool, and the costs of preparing for its operation depend on how it is carried out.
The content of the article:
Stages of starting a pool: step-by-step instructions
Reactivation of the pool after winter is its preparation for further use in the summer. The procedure must be carried out long before this, even if it is not planned to use the structure yet. Especially if conservation was carried out in the fall, and there was water left in the bowl.
To determine the time of the procedure, focus on:
- Ice. If it melts on its own, and no ice crust forms on the surface at night, you can begin re-preservation.
- Air temperature. It is necessary that during the day it does not fall below +10 degrees.
Preparation procedure swimming pool for further use consists of several stages and requires certain tools:
- water vacuum cleaner;
- tools for cleaning the bowl (scrapers, brushes);
- chemical cleaning and disinfecting reagents (algaecides, coagulants, acidity regulators);
- personal protective equipment and clothing (gloves, respirator, boots);
- pipes, lamps, other removable equipment.
Initial preparation for re-preservation
Before putting the pool into operation after winter, it is necessary to prepare it:
- Inspect the bowl and existing communications for damage. If they have been identified, they need to be eliminated.
- Removable equipment that was dismantled before mothballing the pool is checked.
- Preparation of devices and mechanisms that are used for maintenance during the summer season. This includes testers for determining the pH level of water, sponges, and cleaning nets.
- Preparation of chemical reagents (coagulants, algaecides). It is recommended to buy new drugs every season. Even if their shelf life has not yet expired, they could have been damaged during storage.
At the preparatory stage, the protective structure is removed. When preserving an outdoor pool, awnings or other protective structures are used. Their task is to prevent the bowl from becoming dirty due to the ingress of snow, melt water, dust or other debris. When removing such a device, you must ensure that debris located on its surface does not get inside. This will simplify the procedure.
Pool cleaning
If water was left inside the bowl of an outdoor pool for the winter, it must be drained, after first removing large debris from its surface. A submersible pump is used for draining. It can be drainage or filtration. Next, the pipe plugs and hydraulic compensators are removed. If there is liquid left inside that cannot be pumped out, use a rag.
Special products are used to clean the bowl. They not only clean its surface well, but also form a protective film on the surface. It prevents the formation of deposits. For metal parts, other substances are used that will not damage the chrome surface or stainless steel. To apply the antifungal agent, take a brush or spray.
At this stage, the surface of the bowl is checked for damage.If they exist, they are repaired. After this, they begin to install removable structures (steps, slides, lighting fixtures).
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Equipment installation
At the next stage of re-opening the pool, equipment is installed (counterflows, filters, heaters, disinfectors), which were dismantled in the fall. It is necessary to remove it before wintering to protect against damage to parts when water freezes.
Before installing the equipment, the cartridges and filter mass are replaced. When assembling them, it is necessary to check the integrity of all connections, gaskets, and fixation of the nuts. If a thermostat is used, it must be adjusted. The integrity and serviceability of the electrical wiring is checked. Finally, the dosing device is calibrated.
Initial start of water
The next stage of re-preservation is filling the bowl with water. To do this, fill the pump with liquid. In addition, water is drained from the pipes. She might be dirty here.
To clear the skimmers and set up the circulation system, the bowl is filled to the maximum level. If the design has an overflow device, the liquid is collected to the middle of the intermediate container. At the same time, all pipes are inspected for the integrity of their surfaces. If a leak is detected, the damaged area is repaired or replaced with a new one. At the re-preservation stage, no water treatment system is used. This will protect it from clogging. The repeated process of filling the pool is carried out using it.
What else is worth knowing about the initial release of water into the pool?
The process of starting water during the re-opening of the pool involves its cleaning.At the initial stage, mechanical cleaning is carried out. If you skip this procedure during re-opening, debris may get into the filter. This may cause it to become clogged or damaged. A net is used to remove debris. To remove sediment at the bottom, you will need a special vacuum cleaner.
Before turning on the filtration system, preliminary water treatment is carried out. In this case, a coagulant is added. This is a substance that can capture and bind fine particles into flakes. Next, such particles are caught with a net or vacuum cleaner. This avoids filter clogging and makes the depreservation procedure faster. The amount of coagulant is calculated based on the volume of water poured into the bowl and the product manufacturer’s recommendations.
For prophylaxis during re-preservation, an algaecide drug is added to the water, which can combat the development of algae.
When re-opening a swimming pool, check:
- water pH level;
- chlorine concentration.
These components are interdependent. If the pH level is too high, chlorine will have little or no effect. In this case, even a small amount of added chlorine will lead to the formation of a pungent odor.
Testers are used to check the pH level and amount of chlorine. The simplest option is a double container with a scale. Water is collected here to which reagents are added. Based on the shade that the liquid acquires and the designations on the scale, the parameters for the amount of chlorine and pH level are determined.
If the length of the pool is 5 meters or more, the water must be sampled several times, taking liquid from different places. This will make it possible to obtain more accurate results.
To adjust the pH level, they use products called pH plus (to increase acidity) or pH minus (to lower the pH).
The chlorine concentration is also measured. The reagent can be produced in the form of a soluble powder or tablets. You can choose any available tool.
Only after the completion of the listed stages of re-preservation, the pool is considered prepared and can be launched. This process involves turning on the filter and circulation unit. If there is heating equipment, it is configured. Separately, during re-preservation, it is worth checking the operation of the lighting, dosage and supply systems for reagents, and sensors that monitor water parameters.
It is considered that the re-preservation was successful and the pool can be used if:
- the water is completely clear;
- the surface of the bowl is cleared of sediment;
- the water has a comfortable temperature for use;
- chemical parameters are normal;
- all equipment is working properly;
- there are no leaks in the system.
Depreservation seems to be a rather complicated procedure. But, if you follow the instructions described, then anyone can cope with this task. How do you prepare your pool for the summer season? Share your experience in the comments.
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I'm preparing my pool for the new season. Interested in what chemistry is best to choose so that the water does not bloom and the bottom of the pool does not become covered with plaque in a month?
You need to choose chemistry based on what kind of pool you have.If it is framed, they use some means, if it is stationary, they use others. The store will tell you what product to use for them. To prevent the water from blooming, you need to add an algaecide. I used Aquadoctor AC and Barchemicals. I didn't notice any difference between them. Both products did their job perfectly.