Pre-season swimming pool preparation

For anyone owning an outdoor swimming pool and living in a four season climate the winter months will probably see a dramatic reduction in the use of the pool. When this is the case the pool may be isolated, covered and treated in a "stored over winter" mode.

As the swimming season approaches it becomes time to prepare the swimming pool for another season's use and this is a process that involves metaphorically sweeping away the cobwebs of storage.

In short the pool requires a pre-season check and this is something that you can pay a contractor to do, or something that you have a go at yourself. If there are no serious problems the tasks are quite straightforward.

What you need to check

The first thing that you need to do is remove the pool cover and use your eyes to look for any obvious problems that may have arisen over winter. Hopefully there will not be any. However, you want to make a thorough inspection and look out for things like damage to the liner or the condition of the tiles and grout. Is there any large debris that has somehow found its way into the pool, and is all tracking and beading secure. Obvious issues will stand out, but be as observant as possible and examine the base, walls and edging of the entire pool.

The next task is to check the pump box to make sure that everything is working. If there is a problem, then specialist help may be required. Only attempt to resolve a mechanical or electrical problem if you are suitably qualified.

Cleaning the pool and its auxiliary equipment will be the big task and there are different stages to this process.

Firstly the pool needs to be cleaned and this means both the walls and base which may have accumulated debris or bacteria. This can be done with nets, automated pool cleaners and-or by hand. After this is done check to ensure that the first clean after storage has not exposed any previously unseen problems.

The filter will need to be backwashed and cleaned (how this is done will be determined by the type of filter) and this in turn will give the pump its first pre-season work out.

Next the water balance needs to be checked and (probably) corrected. Since the pool has been at rest for a prolonged period this may take a few days to complete, so start your preparation well before you intend to open up the pool for family use.

Finally, when everything else is working, check your heating system and give it a good run. Ensure that vital features like the thermostat and timers are working correctly and listen for noise levels, look for smoke (with a boiler) and any other "give-aways" that may be early indications of a problem or the requirement for a full service.

During all of these actions do not use the pool until you are completely satisfied with its condition, health and water purity. Whilst you are prepping the swimming pool make sure that anyone who is likely to use the pool is aware that it is in an "out of use" mode.

Do not allow use of your pool until you are completely satisfied that it is safe.