swimming pool openings

 Today's topic is the opening of your swimming pool . There are 3 main types of swimming pools . In ground ,above ground and in and above ground ( kayak, Olympic ponderosa ect . ) the principles are all similar And i will try to cover any variations as we go along .
 First we have to get the cover off . there are basically 3 types of covers . Solid which is held in place with weights on the deck (water bags ) or a cable (above ground ) .A  safety cover which is secured with stainless steel springs . The third kind is an automatic cover which rides in a track and uses an electric motor to move the cover back and forth .
 Back to getting the water off . Above ground pools can use a siphon pump to drain the water off the cover i sell these for 25.00 to 30.00 dollars . they hook to a garden hose and drain the cover slowly . you can also purchase an electric pump from Manny sources that will do this faster . Check the water level underneath when you pump but i do not usually loosen cables until i have most of the water off . I check this because if the cover has holes it will pump out the whole pool before it drains the cover .If this happens i do what i call a quick pull where i try to isolate the holes and get the bad water off as fast as possible . I use a gas powered pump that pumps @10000 ga. an hour .
 After i get as much water off as possible . I do what i call boxing the cover . we just keep the good water in the pool and the bad water on the cover making a smaller and smaller box until we have enough off to remove the cover without getting any in the pool . Sometimes i have to use milk crates strainer buckets (with holes ) or even post hole diggers ( with dull ends to not damage the cover )
 Do not let more than a little debris from the cover get into the pool . That will make your pool a real problem to clean . Or really expensive if i have to do it . On in ground pools a drain and clean is between 500.00 to 1100.00 dollars .
 Once the cover is on the deck the rest is easy fill the pool up to operating level . Remove plugs from the skimmer and returns install plugs for pump filter and heater and install eye fittings and skimmer baskets .
 with the covers i like to set them out for drying and use a leaf blower to clean . Then you can apply a cleaning solution if you like let dry and fold for storage .
 Once the pool is full to operating level prime and start equipment and put in start up chemicals and do initial vac . Make sure all of your nets vac hoses poles ect are in good repair . Then you can take a water sample to a local pool professional and have them test to see if you need to add anything . Thanks for reading this far . Please feel free to comment to poolguy4544@att.net
thanks
Gari Liacopoulos
Performance Pools
5851 secor rd
toledo oh 43623
www.swimctr.com
(419)474-4544