The annual preparation of your pool for the new season is much less difficult if during the winter months the swimming pool cover stayed on the pool.  If the pool cover did fall into the pool, it becomes a very time consuming and unpleasant chore.  Getting someone else to prepare you pool would be the easiest, but not likely to happen.  Therefore, we have a few suggestions on retrieving the pool cover from inside the pool and getting the pool ready for the new season.

1. Using a leaf rake (just a skimmer with a big net) remove any debris on the cover while it is still in the pool.  Scoop the debris into the net by pulling it towards you.  Deposit the debris in a container that will allow the water to drain, normally any container with holes will work.  The debris will then be easier to dispose of since it will weigh less and be easier to pick up.  Remember, if you allow the debris container to drain on the deck, a stain could result.

2. Retrieve the cover from the pool after you have removed the debris from on top of it.

3. Check to see that there are no tears, or other damage, that would cause a need to replace or repair the top.  Allowing it to dry after cleaning it, store it away for use again at end of swimming season.

4. Now you must evaluate your swimming pools water condition.  It may not be as bleak as you are expecting.  It will all be dependent on the amount of debris that actually went into the pool.  If you are able to see the bottom of the pool and the amount of debris because the water is clear enough, you can then determine on how to go on.

a. If there is just a little amount of debris and dirt, you can vacuum to waste if your filter system is capable of letting you do that.  This way, it is able to by-pass the filter.

b. Now if by looking, you see a large amount of debris, branches, and leaves there is two avenues that you can choose to do.  The first is if you know the risks involved and the steps taken you can drain the pool.  After it is drained refill with clean water after you have removed the debris.  Ultimately, this could be the least expensive, fastest, and less demanding way to go.  The reasoning is that cleaning out a large amount of debris can take the use of a large amount of chemicals to clear up the water.  It may take hours or weeks to scoop out the debris and then wait for the water to clear and then clean some more.

c. Finally, the other option is if you are unable to drain the pool.  In this case, it is necessary to use your leaf rake or leaf eater (a water-powered vacuum) and remove as much debris as possible even if the bottom is not visible at this time.  Next, so that you can bring back water clarity start the filter system.  It may be necessary to balance the pH and to use chlorine to shock the water abundantly if the water is green and/or murky in color.  Do not concern yourself with the total alkalinity until you have cleaned the water.  The reason for this is if you need to vacuum a large amount of water, you then would need to balance it again.

5. Any algae, dirt or other material left after you cleared out the leaves and other large debris, vacuum now to a waste container.  Balance the chemistry of the water now that you have the pool very clean.

Our final tip is this.  If during the off-season, if you keep the top cover free from debris, you do not have to be concerned about cleaning out the pool later if the top does fall into the pool.

Many pool owners are not aware of the fact that automatic pool cleaners accomplish swimming pool cleaning tasks most efficiently and also save a lot of time.

Here’s a thing or two about Automatic Suction-Side Cleaners:

Automatic Suction-Side Cleaners

Suction side cleaner moves and vacuums debris off the floor of the pool with suction.  They also act as a moving main drain which was mentioned before.  What this does is turns more water over a shorter duration of time, because as the cleaner is under the water the suction is bringing water through the filtration system.

As it moves around the pool the suction side cleaner is agitating and scrubbing the walls reducing the amount of time needed to brush your pool.  This leaves more time for you to enjoy it.  A suction side cleaner is capable of getting smaller particles than a pressure side cleaner because it vacuums right into your filter.  If your pool is positioned in an area that large debris hardly ever gets into your pool this would be a very good choice.  Also since there are no additional pumps, hoses or plumbing it is usually less expensive to install.

A few of the disadvantages of a suction side cleaner are.  Since they vacuum debris straight to the pump basket and filter, it can be a real problem if your pool is in the vicinity of a lot of trees.  The best solution for this would be to purchase a leaf trap to capture the larger debris prior to it reaching your pump basket.  The filter can also affect the cleaner.  Since the cleaner is dependent on the suction of the main pump to operate. As the filter becomes filled, the performance of the cleaner is reduced significantly, so it is imperative to keep the filter clean.

The swimming pool is the hub of family entertainment during summers, if not at all times. The swimming pool filter and the swimming pool pump are the most important parts of a swimming pool as far as costs, maintenance and health of water ate concerned.

The swimming pool filter is however the most important part of the pool amongst the two. You’ve got to know everything…well almost everything about the pool filter if you want to keep it healthy. The common mistake the most pool owners make is to replace the pool filter once it stops performing according to expectations. A good know how of the functioning of the pool filter will not only help you understand it better, but also  help you service it properly.

This is just a general guide; you must read the manufacturers document carefully before you decide on servicing a pool filter. In many cases a simple call to the vendor is all it takes to get your pool filter serviced or replaced for free [if you still qualify for the warranty or guarantee].

Operation:

We use an automatic timer to activate and control the pool filter system. If you don’t use a timer, then all the work is done manually to make sure the system is working properly.

Maintenance of the Pool Filter System:

The most important thing you can do, to make sure your filter system can function efficiently is to clean it according to the use you make.

The first thing that needs to be cleaned are the baskets which are used to trap debris. Remove the cartridges and wash them with a hose until they are clean from all the dirt and the debris they had. If this doesn’t work, you should replace the cartridge.

If you use a sand filter, you should also start by cleaning the baskets. Then you should backwash the filter to clean it. After that you must replace all the diatomaceous earth that has been washed away with new one. Place it into the skimmer and it will go into the filter.

The procedure should be repeated every month. If you use the pool more than the average, you should also clean it more often. Being diligent about cleaning the pool and the filter system you use, you will be able to enjoy your pool for a long time without facing any trouble. You should read and understand everything that the manual advises you before engaging yourself to any special procedure in cleaning the pool.

The greatest damage that can happen to a hot tub spa is caused from false winterization. If you are not absolutely certain that you can close your bath, seek a professional to do it instead.

Switch off the circuit breaker of the electricity or unplug the unit in whole. Remove all covers and drain the spa. You can either pump the water out or use a hose. When you are finished, leave the bottom drain spout open.

Find the spa heater and turn it off. Restore the cover and turn the circuit breaker on. Turn on the air blower for at least thirty seconds.
Remove the cover again and use a towel to remove the water from the inside of the tub. Make sure you do a good job and pay attention to places where the water adds up like the footwell. Put a large towel on the footwell to remove any water that night keep coming up.

Reach for the spa equipment pack. Press the TEST button, to trip the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

Switch off the circuit breaker found in the home breaker box and be sure to unplug the spa if it is 110 volt unit.

Find any fittings of the equipment that can be unscrewed and try to unscrew them. They are usually located in the sides of the heater or the pump and are easily disconnected.

You will soon see water coming out, which is what you want. Leave the fittings loose and remove all drain plugs you see.

Find the jet piping and drain the water that is there by any method described above. You should probably need to get in the spa to reach every jet. Keep the jets open and the topside air controls closed.

When you are done, restore the hard cover of the spa and protect it from the wind.

Keeping your swimming pool water clean from chemicals and germs is a must.  The water will shimmer in your pool, with an understanding of pool cleaning equipment and a few basic suggestions.  There is a selection of different types of equipment to assist you in keeping your pool clean.  Both automatic and semi-automatic these tools help save time, are efficient and don’t require more energy.  Algae and cloudy water are common issues that are a result of insufficient water circulation.  The equipment available will help remove these issues and keep your water germ free and transparent.

Chlorine is one of the best chemicals for your pool, but there are other chemical solutions and items available also.  To disinfect your pool from germs and insects Bromine is a good choice.  To clean the walls of your pool, hand mitts and /or brushes are a good choice.  These brushes with pool cleaning solutions assist you keeping your pool walls clean effectively and simply.  Another piece of equipment to help keep pool clean is a leaf net also called a leaf skimmer.  These will help remove debris, leaves and insects from the pool.  Made of long lasting and secured frames with mesh, they are available in a wider range of sizes and appearance.

To clean the pool floor use a pool vacuum on a regular basis.  These may come with a pool skimmer so you can save time by skimming and vacuuming at the same time.  Particles left in the water that cannot be dissolved may be removed by a good water pump or filter.  The advanced technology and features of pool pumps and filters make these very important equipment for pool cleaning.

Because of the features that come with today’s pool cleaning equipment, it is much faster and a lot easier than in previous years when it was done manually.  When using, be sure to pay attention to your pool cleaning equipment and store in a proper place.

When decorating the pool area, after the table and lounges.  You need to think of the practical things that you will need during this fun time.  One such item is a pool toy storage box.  This is extremely useful for keeping your pool gear stored neatly, safely and accessible.  Even if you do not have children using the pool this accessory will fit nicely into your exterior design.  It would be advantageous to us some helpful tips since there is such a large selection of these products.  This will assure you make the correct choice for your particular need.

In order to store all the different size and shapes of today’s toys, you should consider a fairly large pool storage box.  A choice of this kind has other purposes even if you do not have a large amount of toys.  Provided you have them sealed tightly and boxed it can be a storage area for pool chemicals, also towels can be stored there.  Instead of going to the yard shed and the house it is much more convenient to have all these things at hand when you need them.

Because a pool storage box may not look natural with the rest of the pool furniture and may take up a lot of space many people ignore the idea of installing one.  Because today’s boxes are such good quality with easy colors, they can look like expensive backless benches.  Also, if you do have small children in pool area, they will enjoy playing around them and sitting on them.

You want your storage box to be durable since it is used outside.  There are many different types produced with many different materials, we have found for many reasons the models manufactured with resin is the best choice.  This will promise a long and efficient life span as they are weather resistant and very rugged.  Another advantage is resin boxes maintain and clean very easily.

To easily move the pool storage box around the pool area and also move to inside storage for the winter, it would be a good idea to chose one that has built in wheels.  This could also allow children to play with it, by moving it around the pool area.

To ensure a safe and pleasant experience using your home pool, there are a few essential in-ground pool accessories you should have.  These accessories also have additional benefits such as furnishing a reliable and inexpensive way to maintain your pool.  These accessories are not hard to find and they are not expensive.

A definite need is a pool filter auto timer.  The fact is, to keep the pool water clean it is not necessary for it to run constantly.  Any type of home pool that is not used all the time or heavily this is especially true for.  Only about 12 hours of operation is needed for a pool that just has average use.  You save energy, and chemical use to maintain the water quality with the use of a timer.  It is an easy to program and simple to install.

To save money, difficulties and increase the durability of your pool, you must understand the importance of your swimming pool liner is.  If damaged it can break down parts of the pool operating system as well as facilitate personal accidents for someone in the pool.  The liner can sustain damage from the pool wall such as corrosion and degradation.  A simple remedy is the use of a wall foam cover.

If you have a animal at home, you may be like the majority of pool owners who do not see a need for a pet rescue ramp.  Many times, even if your pet is a good swimmer, this may not be sufficient to get out of the pool in a safe and timely manner.  There is another benefit for this pool accessory that is a great benefit.  It would allow wild animals to get out of the pool, preventing them from drowning and contaminating the water.  These ramps do not degrade the appearance of the pool area as they come in a white color, which will allow your pet to see it and are compact and easily installed

Most people do not see the need to use a pet rescue ramp for their in ground pool even regardless if they keep animals in their home or not. Usually, most domesticated creatures are good swimmers, but this is often not enough to get them out of the water safely and quickly. The ramps are compact and easy to install and come in white color so that the pets can see them, but this is also an advantage for you since such an item will not ruin the look of the pool area. Another superb benefit of these inground pool accessories is that they can allow for the prevention of wild animals drowning and contaminating the water.

The “swimming pool experience” is definitely a great one, but you’ve got to have a number of inground pool accessories in order to make tat experience safe and pleasant. Inground pool accessories also reduce the cost of swimming pool maintenance and also make it hassle free. These accessories are neither expensive nor difficult to find as well.

The first thing that you need for your pool is the auto timer. Contrary to popular belief, the pool pump doesn’t need to work continuously to keep your water sparkling clean. Most pool owners do not use the too frequently, so why do you need to run the pool pump so often? A normal swimming pool usually doesn’t require more than 12 hours of pool filter operation. The auto timer is one pool accessory that will help you run the filter only when required. It’s pretty easy to use and not difficult to program at all. This will not only prove to be an energy efficient proposition, but also save you the hassles of pool chemical maintenance.

The next in line is the pool wall foam cover. The durability of the pool liner is very important. A damaged pool liner might lead to unprecedented accidents and also cause breakage of pool parts. A pool wall foam cover will protect the pool liner from degradation and corrosion. It’s definitely worth investing in the safety and durability of your pool.

A pet rescue ramp is something most people tend to not invest in, but it can serve great benefits. Though pets are usually confined to indoors, but when was the last time you kept tab on your neighbor’s pet? Stray animals are also at risk of falling and drowning in the pool. A pet rescue ramp is an easy solution. You wouldn’t need to bother about contamination from stray animals falling into the pool. These ramps are white in color and easily visible. A drowning pet wouldn’t miss it by any chance. You can easily rescue the pet and also the swimming pool from contamination using a pet rescue ramp. This doesn’t affect the beauty of the pool in any way.