Swimming Pool Tips

A filled swimming pool should lose no more than a quarter inch of water per day. If your pool is losing water at a faster rate, it is likely you have a leak or crack somewhere that needs to be repaired.

When you first open your swimming pool for the season, remove all debris (leaves, sticks, etc.) from the cover before removing the cover itself.

Make sure you have a water testing kit on hand. It is very important that you test your water to make sure chemicals are at the right levels. This will allow you to adjust the pH balance, cholorine, etc in your water to make sure it is safe to swim in your pool. Be sure to test your pool atleast once a week.

After all debris is removed, run your pool's filter 24/7 until the pool water is completely clear. If your water is green or has an unpleasant odor, you may have an algae problem, and need to adjust your pool's chlorine level accordingly.

You should check the purity of the water in your pool at least twice each week, and more frequently based on pool usage and other factors (i.e. thunderstorms, debris left in the pool, dogs swimming in the pool, etc.). Usually the best time to do this is at dusk, and/or at least four hours after the last swimmers have exited the pool. Try not to test when neighbors may be out mowing the lawn or fertilizing plants or shrubs, as this may affect your water quality as well.

You should ALWAYS store swimming pool chemicals out of the reach of children! It is also a good idea to store them away from direct sunlight, as the ultraviolet rays may cause chemical breakdown.

Your pool's chlorine level should always be at between one and three parts per million for optimal water safety.

You should "shock" your pool at least once a week, and more frequently if your pool is heavily used, there have been heavy rains, or it has been extremely hot. You should add one bag of shock per 10,000 gallons of water, and try to make sure that the pool is not used for at least 24 hours afterwards. Generally, the best time for shocking is at dusk, as this will give the shock time to work before the sun comes out. If you need to add any algae inhibitors to your pool, try to do this at least four hours prior to the shock for the best benefit.

Make sure all swimmers are following all the rules at all times! There should NEVER be any running around the pool or diving/jumping in shallow water (particularly in above-ground pools). Also, make sure that non-swimmers are strictly supervised!!!

When the time comes to close your pool for the season, make sure that all water levels are normal and shock your pool one last time. You will also want to remove any water that may still be in the lines of your pool. And, while you should cover the pool itself, do NOT cover your pool's pump.

You should have a fence with a locked gate around your pool area to keep children from accidentally falling in. A fence will also help keep out pets and strangers.