Summerizing (Opening) your Pool

The first thing we need to do is "SUMMERIZE" your pool so it's time to gather up your gang!

1. Remove all leaves and water from your cover. Remember to always fill the pool at the same time you pump off the top not after you've pumped it off. Rinse off or sweep the cover while it is still on the pool. Carefully fanfold it back and remove it. Some of you may want to spread the cover out on the driveway, not the lawn, and further clean it and let it dry. Empty the water tubes, roll all good tubes, fold all tubes with only one good chamber, and throw away all bad tubes. If you have a Loop Loc safety cover, cleaning the cover is easy, simply sweep it off, remove, and store in storage bag. Loop Loc anchor inserts should be removed from deck and rinsed clean with water as well as the anchor in the deck then put back and screwed down flush. All covers should be stored safe from mice and ants with expensive appetites!

2. Remove all plugs from return lines, skimmers, and Leaf Trappers.

3. Reinstall eyeball fittings into returns, skimmer diverters into skimmers, grates into low water suction lines, etc. as necessary for your pool.

4. Reinstall all pool accessories such as diving boards, ladders, and rails, etc.

5. If you have an automatic chlorinator, make sure all drain plugs are in place, fill with Powersticks or a New Water Cycler, lubricate the cover O-ring with dish soap, and cover . Set dial to normal level as you will be adding Liquid Shock Treatment to super chlorinate.

6. If you have a floor circulation or cleaning system, remove plugs from the water valve base and reassemble the head lubricating all O-ring. Make sure the screen is clear and in place on the top union. If you have a Leaf Trapper, reinstall the venturi jet.

7a. Sta-rite Modular Media Filter - Reinstall plugs in pump housing, hose out bottom of filter tank if needed, put drain plug back on bottom of tank or close ball valve, reinstall filter cartridges, and close tank with tank O-ring properly in place (no lube necessary as Sta-rite uses self-lubricating O-rings). Prime the pump and start. If you have a mesh cover that left you with a pool full of algae and fine dirt particles, add 10lbs of DE Powder to the skimmer which will coat the cartridges and help expedite the cleaning process.

7b. DE Vertical Grid Filter - Reinstall plugs in pump housing, hose out bottom of filter tank if needed, put drain plug back on bottom of tank or close ball valve, place sight glass and pressure gauge back on multiport. Place filter tank on base and attach to pump return and waste line. Make sure there is no DE on tank O-ring when reassembling tank. Prime pump, start, and immediately charge with DE Powder.

7c. DE Perflex Filter - Reinstall plugs in pump housing. Place filter tank on base and attach to pump return and waste line. Make sure there is no DE on tank O-ring when reassembling tank. Prime pump, start, and immediately charge with DE Powder.

7d. Sand Filter - Reinstall plugs in pump housing, put drain cap back on filter tank, place sight glass and pressure gauge back on multiport. Prime pump and start on "backwash" position. After backwashing, return to "filter" position.

(note: Use new teflon tape on all threaded fittings and Magic Lube on all O-rings unless otherwise advised. Make sure to tighten all clamps properly and check system for any leaks. Don't leave pool running unless water level is at the proper height, approximately 3/4 of the way up the skimmer faceplate.)

8. Take a water sample to Family Pools for a FREE water analysis.

9. Super chlorinate pool with Family Pools' Liquid Shock Treatment, one gallon per 10,000 gal. or double if pool is dirty. It is best if leaves are removed prior to super chlorination or soon after. Gunite pool owners are advised to balance the water prior to chlorinating in case of minerals in the water and advised to use a precautionary mineral treatment to prevent staining such as Family Pools' Metal Muscle, one quart per 20,000 gal.

THAT'S IT! YOU DID IT!  - READY. SET. LET'S GO!

P.S. Don't forget to pick up those water test results and balance that pool first if you haven't already before the first big plunge! Have fun!