Apr
2024
16
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Opening Your Semi Inground Pool
With pool opening season right around the corner, it’s important to be well prepared. At Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs, we understand the work that goes into caring for semi inground pools. As hybrids between above ground and complete inground pools, they have specific maintenance requirements throughout the year. As hard to accomplish as it may seem, taking proper care of your pool is not a daunting task, and it can be a great help in the long run. Proper maintenance can extend the life of your pool and save you money on constant repairs.
As the experts at Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs know, there’s plenty of crucial things you need to do before your pool opening this year. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top mistakes you should avoid.
Mistake #1: Not Properly Cleaning the Pool
As most pool owners know, keeping your pool clean is of the utmost importance. Without proper cleaning, your pool can grow algae or bacteria and even begin to show signs of structural damage. What many people may not realize is that your pool needs a little extra care even before you open it.
We recommend starting with the deck and area around your semi inground pool. It may seem counterintuitive to start outside of the water but the last thing you need is debris from your deck sinking into a freshly cleaned pool. Similarly, take some time to clean the pool cover before opening as well.
Once you’re done with the area around your pool, you can get to work on cleaning the inside, either manually or with a robotic pool cleaner. Be sure to take the time to clean off all the dirt and grime that can build up during the colder months before taking your first swim. Cleaning your pool first can alleviate the stress of having to clean it afterward, a process that can be much more complicated once you’ve already added chemicals and done the initial water top up.
Mistake #2: Not Testing the Water
Before you can start splashing around, it’s essential that you make sure your water is clean and safe. Since you’re probably not using your semi inground pool during the winter month, it’s very likely that you’re going to need to top your pool up with fresh water. Even after you’ve cleaned your pool, that water will likely not have the correct balance of chemicals or the right pH to serve as a healthy swimming pool. Testing your water with a reliable water testing kit can let you know what your water needs. You can find water testing kits along with other pool supplies at the Seaway Pools & Hot Tub store or online shop.
Mistake #3: Not Balancing the Chemicals
Testing the water isn’t enough though, you also have to provide your pool water with the right chemicals. Balancing the chemicals in your water means that the alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness and chlorine/salt levels of your pool are all exactly where they need to be. Depending on your pool usage and the environment around you, this might be something you have to do fairly often.
Balancing the chemicals in your pool is a very precise process so it’s important to only supplement chemicals your pool needs based on your water test. Like, if your tests tell you that you have an excessively low pH level, adding something like a chlorine shock might work to balance it out. However, if your pool requires more than one type of treatment, it’s better to space them out. Adding a variety of chemicals to your pool at once can have a negative effect on your pool and in some cases, the treatments can simply cancel each other out. For example, shocking your pool will likely deactivate your pool's other chemicals, so it's important to always shock first. For more advice on how to keep your pool chemicals balanced or recommendations for products, contact the team at Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs. With years of experience and a variety of pool supplies, you can find the help you need to make sure your semi-inground pool is ready for opening.
Mistake #4: Not Checking the Equipment
Oftentimes, people assume that because their equipment worked flawlessly the year before, and nothing seems obviously wrong, that means there’s no need to check further. However, depending on the conditions of your pool, your storage space and the weather, the winter months may have had an impact on your pool equipment.
Giving your equipment a good inspection before you officially open up can help you avoid any unwanted surprises later on. Be sure to check everything from cleaning supplies to filtration systems. You don’t want to invite your friends over for a swim only to realize that a crucial piece of equipment like the filter system isn’t working.
Mistake #5: Not Hiring a Professional
Working with a team of trusted professionals like those at Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs can make opening your pool significantly easier, and can even be more cost effective. Experienced professionals can help you during every step of the pool opening process. With their expertise, you can rest assured that the job will be done efficiently and correctly.
Whether you’re looking for help with the physical labour, or someone who’s experienced enough to balance the chemicals in your pool, the team at Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs has got you covered. Plus, with their professional grade equipment they can handle any hiccup that might arise.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Opening Your Semi Inground Pool
When it comes to semi inground pools, there can be so many things to keep in mind before opening, that it can be easy to forget a few essentials. By keeping in mind these common mistakes can help you get the most out of your pool opening this year, and extend its lifespan so you can have many more openings to come. For more advice or help getting your semi inground pool ready, contact the team at Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs for expert assistance.
