Springtime Maintenance: Your Pool
Advisory Report - May 2003
Springtime Maintenance, Part Two of Three: Your Pool
Things haven’t changed since the first part of this series. It’s still springtime. And for you lucky pool owners, this means getting it ready for those sweltering hot summer days. Below is a checklist of items for you and your local pool specialist to check. Do-it-yourselfers can accomplish most of these tasks, but if you’re unsure about something or if an item needs repair, we recommend contacting your local pool contractor.
Pool Surface, Fittings, and Surroundings
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Check for damage to the pool cover. If the cover is damaged, we suggest contacting someone to get it fixed as early as possible since cover companies in most areas quickly become very busy at the start of pool season.
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Check for cracks in the pool deck.
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Check for chipped, cracked, or loose coping stones and tiles. To determine if any stone or tile are loose, gently tap each one with the handle of a screwdriver. Loose stone or tile will sound hollow.
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Check for bubbled or discolored plaster.
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Check for damaged or loose liner (if applicable).
Check for deteriorated plaster. New plaster is smooth to the touch, but after years of chemical abuse it can become very rough. -
Check for cracks or other damage to the skimmers.
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Check for leaks or other damage to the plumbing fittings (vacuum lines, hydrostatic valves, returns, etc.).
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Ensure that the main drain grate is securely fastened.
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Ensure that the ladders and handrails are securely fastened.
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Check for damaged, cracked, or loose diving platform/board.
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Ensure that the lights are installed and operating. Be sure the pool has been filled before testing them. Most underwater lights should only be turned on when submersed.
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Check the fence gate operation. When a pool gate is opened and released, it should close and latch without assistance.
Filling the Pool and Balancing the Water
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Ensure that the plugs and gauges have been installed.
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Check for damage or leaks at the chemical feeders. The parts to the chemical feeders tend to deteriorate frequently.
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Ensure that the filter is clean and functional.
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Check for cracks in the pool plumbing lines.
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Check for excessive noise or leaks at the pool pump motor. Do not run the pump without water in the pool.
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Check for excessive noise, damage, or leaks at the pool heater.
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Ensure the valves are operating properly and not leaking.
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Check the water chemicals. Fresh water is very alkaline. The pH will be way off when the pool is first filled.
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Ensure that the returns distribute properly. A pool dye is used for this and is available at any pool store. Put a small amount in the skimmer. It will go through the system and back into the pool through the returns (the dye quickly dissipates once it hits the pool). A cloud of dye (shaped like a mushroom cloud) should be produced by the returns.
Finally, if the pool has a plaster surface, brushing it daily (just like your teeth!) will help the surface last longer. Brushing the pool surface daily sounds excessive, but the process is quite simple. Simply use a pole with a nylon brush on the end. Run the brush over the surface to kick up any dirt or other chemicals that have settled. Scrubbing is rarely necessary. Brushing daily will result in less vacuuming and longer plaster life.
Click here for additional information on pools, spas and hot tubs.
Contributed by Justin Gore
Quality Assurance Supervisor
U.S. Inspect, LLC
and
Brian McCannell
Radon Specialist
U.S. Inspect, LLC