While it doesn’t take too long after the holidays for the weather to heat up, the prime time for pool time really ramps up in the summer months.  While spring time serves as a warm up, there are a few things you’ll want to address before the pool parties and daily swims begin.

Routinely Check You Pool’s Chemicals

One important habit to get back in the swing of is checking your pool’s chemical levels on at least a weekly basis.  If your pool has increased activity, or if there’s been bad weather, you will want to check it more often.  Unbalanced water chemistry can create cloudy water, allow bacteria growth, and be unsafe and unhealthy.  A simple testing kit can check the pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and more in your pool’s water.

Remove Pollen and other Debris from Your Pool

In south Louisiana we have a few extra seasons.  Mardi Gras, hurricane, and pollen.  The yellow substance that attacks your allergies can also become an issue for your pool’s filter and make your water cloudy.  It can also stain the walls, floors, and steps of your pool as well as other decking surfaces.

Your pool’s filtration can keep pollen from accumulating on the water, which will keep it from sinking and lingering around your gunite surfaces.  However, in order not overwhelm your pump and filter, be sure to skim the pollen and other debris on a daily basis; more often at the height of pollen season or after a storm.

Test your Pool’s Filter

Your pool’s filtration system is vital for the health, safety, and performance of your pool.  If you have a sand filter, you’ll want to backwash it and rinse it weekly.  For cartridge filters, be sure that each cartridge is throughly cleaned and clear of any debris. 

Your pool’s filtration system is vital for the health, safety, and performance of your pool.  If you have a sand filter, you’ll want to backwash it and rinse it weekly.  For cartridge filters, be sure that each cartridge is throughly cleaned and clear of any debris.  DE-based filters should be backwashed and rinsed at three times before replenishing DE powder to your pool’s skimmer.

Check Your Pool for cracks

Lines, cracks, and other signs of stress or damage should be inspected and addressed before summer hits full swing. For gunite pools, most cracks are superficial.  However if you have concerns, or have noticed cracks growing from year to year, you’ll want to have your pool inspected by an expert.

Lucas Firmin Pools maintains, inspects, and services pools in the Baton Rouge area.  In addition to these pool care services, Lucas Firmin Pools builds luxury custom pools as well.