Seasonal Checklist for Pool Preparation and Safety

Seasonal Checklist for Pool Preparation and Safety -By Clare Curley 

Every year, pool owners can’t wait to take that first dip into the cool, clear water, but it takes more than just removing the cover to keep your pool fun lasting all summer long.

To prevent damage and ensure safe swimming, pool owners should thoroughly inspect their pool equipment at the beginning of the season, and then follow up with periodic inspections throughout the year. It doesn’t take much time if you know what to look for, so keep a checklist handy to make sure you don’t miss any steps.

Season opening

When opening your pool, look for wear and tear, and repair or replace any broken equipment. Here’s what to inspect:

1. Ladder—A loose ladder could cause injuries, so be sure all ladders, stairs and handrails are secure. Tighten the bolts that hold the decorative plates around the ladder’s anchors in place, and replace any treads that are cracked or broken. Jennifer Clements, co-owner of Pla-Mor Pools in Mechanicsville, Va., suggests making sure the rubber ladder bumpers thoroughly cover the end of the ladder and are still flexible. “If they slide up inside of the ladder, you could end up with a hole in your liner or damage your pool wall,” she says.
2. Skimmer—For in-ground pools, pop the lid off each skimmer and inspect it for damage. “If it’s the slightest bit cracked, you need to replace it,” says Paul Kurke, training manager for Arch Chemicals. “If you walk on cracked plastic, you could hurt yourself or further damage the skimmer.”
   Since a damaged basket could compromise your pool pump, also make sure the basket inside the skimmer is intact.
3. Return inlets—Directional eyeball fittings may break or get lost, causing water to shoot straight out. To optimize your filtration and the flow of sanitizer through your pool, inspect the inlets to be sure they’re undamaged and aimed in the correct direction—downward and to one side.
4. Diving board—If you have a diving board, make sure the bolts securing the mounts at the deck end of the board aren’t loose or rusted. On some boards, you’ll also need to inspect the rubber fulcrum in the center and replace it if the rubber is cracked, broken or missing. “Pay close attention to the sides of the board,” Clements says. “If you see any signs of spider cracks, the board should be replaced right away.”
5. Gasket—A rubber gasket is located inside of the multi-port valve (manifold) above the filter. To inspect it, you must first disassemble the valve.  A constant dripping from the backwash hose is a sign the valve, or a gasket inside of it, needs some attention. If the gasket shows any signs of wear, Kurke recommends replacing it. “It’s also important to check and replace worn gaskets beneath the lid of the pump strainer well and the underwater pool light.”
6. Pressure gauge—A defective gauge will prevent you from knowing when it’s time to backwash. If you get a high reading when the filter is not running, it  needs to be replaced. The sand in the filter should be replaced every two to three years. A continuously high pressure gauge reading could also result from a sand bed that is clogged with mineral deposits. Replace the sand if the pressure doesn’t return to a normal level after backwashing.

Weekly

Because the strainer basket and pump require more attention, you should inspect them weekly throughout the summer:

1. Strainer basket—Every time you empty debris, examine the strainer basket to make sure it isn’t broken or cracked.
2. Pump—“When you’re vacuuming and backwashing, it’s the perfect time to take three extra seconds to do a visual inspection of the pump and filter system,” Clements says. “Any sign of unexplainable water underneath your pump, filter or elsewhere in your plumbing needs to be dealt with right away.”If the pump starts making a screeching noise, it could be time to replace the ceramic seal on the motor shaft.

Holidays

Since you should chemically clean your filters and inspect them for damage every four to six weeks, Clements tells her clients to use Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day as a handy reminder.

End of season

If you have an aboveground pool, examine the cartridge filter toward the end of the season. Remove the cartridge and inspect the pleats for cracks or tears. Also, make sure the bands aren’t broken.

If you’re ever unsure about replacing parts or making repairs, check with AquaRama Pools & Spas so we can make sure you have exactly what you need. And remember: Closing your pool down properly will prevent damage over the winter and save you time when opening it back up in the spring.