Start Your Filters! Spring is Here!

The warmer (ok, hot) Central Texas weather will be here soon and that means a lot more time spent in the swimming pool. So before you ramp up its use as the temperature continues to rise, it is important that you follow these pool maintenance tips to ensure the overall health of your swimming pool.

Check the Swimming Pool Water Levels

Your water level should be halfway up the tile or around the middle of your skimmer opening. If you need to top your water off, get that garden hose working and fill up your pool.

Test the Chemistry of Your Pool

Run the circulation system for 24 hours or so before you test the chemistry of your pool. Your pool should be within the following ranges:

• Total Alkalinity (TA) – 80 to 120ppm
• pH – 7.4 to 7.6
• Chlorine – 2.0 to 4.0ppm

Adjust Your Chemistry as Necessary

You can largely control the levels of pH and chlorine in your pool by first adjusting its total alkalinity (TA).

• If your TA is too high, you can use dry acid (sodium bisulfate) to reduce levels to an acceptable range
• If your TA is too low, you can use sodium bicarbonate to increase it

You should wait at least 4 hours (or however it is otherwise recommended on the packaging label) after adding to retest your pool water.

Tackle the Pool’s pH Balance and Calcium Hardness

When your TA is between 80 to 120ppm, you can begin adjusting your pH levels as necessary.

• If your pH is above 7.6, try adding dry acid (sodium bisulfate) or muriatic acid
• If your pH is below 7.2 use soda ash to bring it back to acceptable levels

Wait at least 4 hours for the pH level to settle. You can then test and adjust your calcium hardness so that it is above 150ppm. Calcium chloride can be used to increase the calcium hardness which will prevent pitting in your concrete, plaster and pebble tec.

Brush, Vacuum, and Filter

Once the chemistry has been adjusted, give your pool walls, floor, steps, ladders and other equipment a good brush down. Re-attach any other items which you may have removed (such as slides, basketball hoops, etc.). Vacuum the pool and run your filtration system overnight to eliminate any dirt, bacteria, debris and algae that may still be present.

Shock Your Pool

Whenever you add chlorine to your pool water, the chlorine molecules naturally attach themselves to algae, debris and other unwanted material. This forms what is known as a chloramine.

This “dead chlorine” should be removed from your pool. This is why it is usually recommended that you shock your pool before it really starts to heat up so your swimming pool will be ready for increased usage.

Follow these pool ownership tips to get your spring off to a good start. The better you take care of your pool now, the less maintenance and service you’ll need later.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Texas Pools & Patios is an award-winning Austin and San Antonio pool builder serving Austin, San Antonio, and Central Texas, including Round Rock, Lakeway, Cedar Park, Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Pflugerville.  We specialize in custom designed in ground pools, pool renovation, outdoor living construction, pool repair, maintenance and service.

As a family-owned and operated business, we pride ourselves on our quality construction, cutting-edge designs, industry certifications and awards, and building lasting customer relationships.

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