Seasonal Pool Maintenance Tips

You may only use your pool when the weather’s hot, but it requires proper care in every season if you hope for it to last many years to come. Here are some seasonal maintenance tips to help keep your pool in good shape all year round.

Spring Opening

Prepping for swimming season requires more than just pulling the cover off your pool and diving in. Here’s how to open your pool in the spring:

• Get rid of debris on the cover with a broom or leaf blower. Remove it, hose it off and let it dry before storing it indoors for the summer.
• Use a skimmer net to remove debris from the surface of the water.
• Clean and vacuum the pool.
• Bring the water level up to an acceptable level.
• Test and adjust the water’s pH balance.
• Apply a chlorine shock treatment to kill algae and bacteria.
• Inspect and reconnect the pump and filtration system.
• Prime and start the filter pump.
• Check the water circulation for adequate flow.
• Install ladders, handrails and diving boards, if applicable.

Summer Cleaning

Keep the water sanitary and crystal clear with regular pool cleaning and maintenance throughout the summer:

• Skim the surface to remove debris as needed.
• Brush the sides of the pool to clean off residue every few days.
• Run the circulation system for four to six hours per day. Make sure the popup nozzles are functioning correctly.
• Clean skimmer baskets weekly.
• Apply algaecide, chlorine and other chemicals weekly.
• Vacuum the pool weekly, followed by backwashing the pool filter.
• Perform a shock treatment occasionally, such as after heavy rain.

Fall/Winter Closing

In northern climates, it’s necessary to close down swimming pools for the winter. The following tips should take place once in late fall and again in early spring:

• Skim leaves off the water daily to prevent clogging the skimmer and pump baskets. Don’t allow leaves to sink to the bottom because they may stain the pool liner.
• Test the water and add chemicals to balance the pH level about a week before closing down the pool.
• Blow out the lines and install winterizing plugs.
• Remove skimmer baskets, cleaners, and wall fittings.
• Adjust the water level.
• Turn off the filter pump and drain all equipment.
• Store ladders, handrails and diving boards.
• Cover the pool to keep sunlight and debris out for a faster opening next spring.

Millennium Pool Service offers maintenance packages to keep your pool in a swimmable condition year after year. We can help you open your pool in the spring, take care of summer maintenance and close down your pool again in the fall, all with minimal effort on your part.

To learn more about the importance of pool maintenance, or to request a service estimate, please contact us today. Our two convenient locations in Frederick, MD and Springfield, VA allow us to better serve you.