How Do I Treat My Pool For The First Time?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Step 1: Clean up debris and check for wear and tear. …
  2. Step 2: Inventory your pool chemicals. …
  3. Step 3: Remove the Cover. …
  4. Step 4: Inspect the Pool. …
  5. Step 5: Fill Pool to Middle of Waterline Tile and Do Final Debris Removal. …
  6. Step 6: Turn on the Pool Filter and Test the Water.

Can I do my own pool maintenance?

Depending on the equipment used,

cleaning a pool yourself can take up to one hour and a half and you’ll need to do this weekly

. However, on average most will spend 45 mins a week and a little bit of elbow grease to maintain their pool. This doesn’t include replacing equipment or balancing chemicals.

How do you take care of a pool for dummies?

What order do you put chemicals in a pool?

How do I add chemicals to my pool for the first time?

Tips for Adding Start-Up Pool Chemicals


Add one chemical at a time, using a pool brush to distribute

. Run filter pump while adding chemicals to circulate. Re-test the pool water after 8 hours of filter run time. Add chlorine shock when the sun is not directly overhead.

Do I need to shock my pool when I first fill it?


At first you’ll add chlorine in what’s called “shock” levels – an extra heavy dose to start your pool off

. A shock dose coupled with extra circulation will ensure that all the water gets treated properly in the beginning.

How soon after filling a pool Can you swim?

Chlorine/non-chlorine chemicals – When adding chlorine or non-chlorine chemicals to “shock” your pool after a fill-up, wait

about 24 hours or until levels are approximately 5 ppm

. If you’ll only be adding liquid chlorine, it’s generally safe to swim after about 4 hours or until levels are 5 ppm or lower.

How soon can you swim in a newly filled pool?


If your pool is full 8-1-15 and they do NOT do an acid start, you can swim soon

. I suggest getting the startup done first acid or Bi-carb, and once done you can swim.

How often do pools need to be cleaned?

The pool must be maintained and taken care of regularly; if not, it may lead to various accidents, diseases, and infections. Maintaining the cleanliness of your pool is just one of the many ways of swimming pool care. It is recommended to have your pool cleaned

at least once a week

to keep it clean and uncontaminated.

How hard is maintaining a pool?

A pool is an impressive feature of a home, but

it can also be the most difficult and expensive to maintain

. When it comes time to decide between DIY pool care and using a professional pool cleaning service, consider such tasks as maintaining the filter, surface skimming and chemical testing.

How do I clean my pool myself?

How often should I shock my pool?

How Often Should I Shock My Pool? Shocking your pool regularly will help to keep the water clean and free of contaminants. You should aim to shock your pool

about once a week

, with the additional shock after heavy use. Some tell-tale signs that your pool needs to be shocked are cloudy, foamy, green, or odourous water.

How do you keep a pool clean without chlorine?

  1. Salt sanitizers (“saltwater pool”) In recent years, saltwater sanitizers have become a popular alternative to off-the-shelf chlorine for treating water in swimming pools. …
  2. Ozone pool purification. …
  3. Ultraviolet pool sanitizing light.

Can you keep a pool clean without a pump?

Can You Maintain A Pool Without A Pump. The short answer is yes. While pool pumps help circulate water to keep it free from bacteria and algae,

it is possible to clean a pool without a pump

. This is especially true for small pools and above ground pools.

Can you add pool chemicals all at once?

Despite being chlorinating agents, they are incompatible.

Do not add at the same time or mix muriatic acid and chlorine

. Such interaction produces a toxic gas that is dangerous to health even in small amounts. A good rule of thumb is to never mix pool chemicals with each other.

Do I use shock or algaecide first?


Algaecide should be used after each shock treatment

, so it has a better chance to support your chlorine as it works its magic. Be sure to shock your pool first, then when the chlorine levels of your pool return to normal, add the correct amount of algaecide to several places around your pool while your pump is running.

What pool chemicals should not be mixed?

  • Calcium Hardness Increaser & Sodium Bicarbonate. …
  • Water Clarifier & Sequestering Agents. …
  • Chlorine & Calcium Hypochlorite. …
  • Pool Shock with Presence of Metals in Pool. …
  • Pool Shock & Enzyme Products. …
  • Chlorine & Muriatic Acid.

How many bags of salt do I need to start my pool?

Setting Up a Salt Water Pool

How much salt to add to the pool? To reach the initial salt level recommended by the salt system manufacturer (usually 2400-3200 ppm), you will need to add about

200 lbs of pure pool grade salt (NaCl), per 10,000 gallons of water

.

Why is my pool green when I just filled it?

How do you treat a pool after filling?


Add a clarifier to the water

. The clarifier will help the filter to remove the very tiny particles that enter the pool in the filling process or that may remain following construction and installation. 5. Start the pump and filtration equipment and allow the water to circulate for 24 hours, if practical.

Can I shock my pool with just chlorine?

This is why a high-quality pool testing set from LaMotte or Taylor is an essential part of every pool operator’s kit!

Shocking a pool with liquid chlorine or a granular pool shock kills or inactivates pathogens and algae

. Shocking will also oxidize other unwanted materials inhabiting the pool water.

Can a pool be plastered in the rain?

While the rain can harm the chlorination process,

it can also create issues with the plastering process too

. Rain will cause streaks, discoloration, and curing mistakes once the plastering has begun. Not only will it cause streaking, but it also causes something called hydrostatic holes in the granite and plaster.

Can you fill your pool with tap water?


You can fill your pool with a hose from the tap

, just like you would with city water. But remember that you’ll be moving many thousands of gallons of water through your softener system, so be sure to factor in the cost of salt and the electricity required to pump the water to your pool.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.