Get your swimming pool summer-ready

It's summer, and there's no better way to enjoy it than taking a refreshing jump into the water on a scorching, lowdown afternoon. Those who have pools installed in their backyards are spared from travelling to lakes and beaches just to get their swimming fix.

But before summer, your pool has become a tubful of stagnant water and floating leaves. With the right amount of preparation, and by knowing how to do it, your pool will be ready to take that big plunge in no time. Here are the prep work basics:

1. Clean it up. Opening the pool for the swimming season and making it sparkling clean takes minimal effort, especially when it was properly maintained during the winter season. Before removing the cover, clean the area around the pool by sweeping or hosing away leaves and other debris. Fill the pool using the hose and, reconnect line valves so that water can circulate. Install and replace filters for a couple of days to ensure dirt and bacteria are skimmed away. Because pH levels also need to be tested, it may take a week before you can start taking a swim.

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2. Install affordable heating. A natural, economical way to warm up your swimming pool is by lining the pool bottom with a solar blanket. Easy to install, a solar blanket has a unique bubble wrap-like design that traps heat from the sun, immediately transferring the warmth to the pool and traps it long enough to enjoy warm water even for night swims. Contact a reliable pool contractor and accessories supplier to get an estimate.

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3. Don't forget the chemicals. Call a professional service to test the waters---quite literally. Pool water has to be tested for alkalinity, pH levels and chlorine levels to keep it pristine and swimmable. The ideal levels, according to Popular Mechanics, are the following:

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• pH level: 7.2 to 7.4

• Alkalinity (this ensures consistency of the pH levels): 80 to 100

• Chlorine: 1 to 3 ppm (parts per million)


Blue Water Pools offers installation and maintenance of above ground pools and pool accessories to ensure the comfort and safety of families while they enjoy their swimming activities. Visit this blog for more advice on proper pool upkeep.