Through winter, it’s likely that you didn’t do much swimming in your garden pool. Even if you managed to keep the water blue and the filter clear of debris during the colder months, you should probably take a little bit of time to ensure that everything is just right before your first spring braai and pool party.

Test the water

The chemical balance in a pool is essential to everyone’s wellbeing. The alkalinity and PH levels need to be in perfect harmony to stop the water from becoming cloudy or scale from building up. Additionally, the chlorine must be just right otherwise you risk harming the people who jump in. If the chlorine is too high it will cause skin and eye irritation, and if it’s too low algae and bacteria can grow in the water.

There are plenty of testing kits available from your supermarket or specialist pool shops. These will allow you to get a good overall look at the chemical levels in your water. However, if you’ve had problems with your pool over winter, we highly recommend taking a sample to a specialist for a thorough examination.

Check your system

Getting the chemicals just right won’t matter much if the rest of your pool system isn’t working properly. Do a full test on your pump, filter and pool cleaner to ensure that they are all pulling their weight in the filtration and cleaning system.

This is a good time to check for leaks in the pipes and hoses. We also advise that you inspect the full length of your system for any damage or wear and tear that could lead to leaks in the middle of summer. It’s not nice to have your pool out of commission in the height of the hot weather due to a nasty leak.

Fix up the deck

The paving or decking around the pool is as important as the cleanliness of the water itself. If you have loose bricks or rotting wood surrounding the pool, you could find yourself with a bad accident waiting to happen.

Check the full area around the pool for anything loose, wobbling or on the verge of breaking, and then replace these sections. Additionally, check the path that leads from the pool to your home. This will likely have many bare feet walking or running over it as people head out for a swim and then go back inside.

Original article: https://www.homemakersonline.co.za/get-pool-ready-summer/