Tag: Spring

Ready to Swim?

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Winter has (finally!) broken and Spring has sprung!

After such a long winter, we may be now gazing towards the swimming pool wondering how long before we can jump in and enjoy a swim in the nice hot weather. There may even be a few of us wondering what chemical experiment is laying out there waiting for us!

One way to prepare for the swimming season is to call your local and trusted pool expert to get them to do a pre-season service to have your pool ready to swim in without any hassle.

If the buck stops at you … then let’s get out there this weekend and get it sorted!

If you have a Daisy WinterKleen pool cover you’re pretty well on your way to uncovering a pristine clean pool (that is a product plug for those that didn’t get it 😉 )

  1. Before we do anything to the pool water, let’s clean up the back yard around the pool. Make sure the pool area is clear of all leaves dirt and debris.
  2. If you have a pool cover, remove, clean and store it correctly. Then scoop out all the floating material you can.
  3. Check the water level. Make sure the water level is correct – half way up the skimmer box is normal for most pools.

Tip#1: After a lot of rain regardless of the season the pool water chemistry will be diluted. Always check the chemical levels after big rainfalls.

  1. If you have a salt water pool, make sure your cell is clean.
  2. Turn on your pump and filter system, make sure no off-season damage has occurred. Look for visual signs of leakage and generally make sure your whole system works the way it normally does. Leave it running for 8–10 hours.
  3. Now is the time to get out the cleaner and get to work.
  4. Check the chemical levels – it’s usually easier, cheaper and safer to take a water sample to your local pool shop for an expert to water test it. They give great advice on how to properly balance your water chemistry to get it out of the ‘winter blues’ into the ‘hello summer’ mode!

Tip#2: Make sure you take the water sample from elbow depth down. It is important that the chemistry of pool water is correctly measured at around 400mm below the surface of the water. Taking samples from the top of the pool will give incorrect readings that may well result in incorrect advice.

  1. Finally make sure your pool is safe, that the fence is secure, the gate is self-closing, there are no climbable objects outside the fence, any handrails into the pool are secure, and have a first aid kit handy and resuscitation board visible.

Remember if you need a hand, your local pool expert is there to help. They have the experience to check your pool and equipment to make sure it is fit to swim in. You may even find it cheaper and easier to get the experts in to check it all for you.

Happy Swimming!

If you need any assistance with your pool, check in with one of our Daisy Experts for advice.

Springtime… here comes the sun!

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Six steps for getting pool ready this spring.

With the amazing spring time sunshine we’ve had lately, now is time we shake off our winter woollies and trade the indoors for the fresh, breathtakingly beautiful Aussie outdoors.

It’s also time to start getting your pool ready for swimming. Not all of us may want to pull the Daisy cover off and jump in just yet however one of these fine weekends, it’s worth checking your pool to see just what is going on.

The water may look clean, but let’s check it first. You have two options here; start testing and adjusting the water chemistry yourself, or just take a water sample down to your local pool shop for some expert advice.

Expert Tip: If you’re going to get advice, get it from one source as conflicting advice can be given when they don’t have the whole picture.

The cheapest and easiest way to maintain your pool is to keep your water chemistry in order year round. With all the rain over the winter, your pool water has been heavily diluted. Without a bather load or debris in the pool it may look crystal clear however it most probably has next to no chemicals in the water.

Make sure all your pool equipment is at the ready and no one has used the pool brush to sweep the driveway or the telescopic pole as a limbo bar. You want to make sure your telescopic pole, vacuum head and hose, skimmer head, brush and test kit are all in order and operational.

As soon as you, your family or visitors start swimming and the outside temperature rises, you may find your water chemical levels imbalance quite quickly.

Get pool ready, now.

Opening your pool in the lead up to summer should be a low stress, highly anticipated event for the entire family. Assuming you’ve done some winter preparation by covering the pool and protecting the pump, your pool’s opening day should proceed free of trouble.

What you’ll need

  • Leaf blower (or broom)
  • Water source and hose
  • pH pool test kit
  • Pool filter
  • Pool chemicals.

What you need to do: Six Easy Steps

These should get you and your pool ready for a whole summer of Marco Polo and diving for dollars.

  1. Remove Leaves and Winter Debris. You may encounter winter residual leaves, dirt, and general weather build-up on and around the pool. Before removing the cover, blow any leaves or debris off the pool cover and the surrounding deck or patio.
  2. Remove the Pool Cover. Once you remove the cover, take the time to clean it properly before storing. If you have the space, spread out the cover and spray it off with the highest pressure your hose allows.
  3. Check the Water Level. Check the skimmer water level. For the pump to function properly, the water needs to be in the middle of the skimmer opening for proper circulation. Add or remove water accordingly. While waiting for the pool to fill, check and test all handrails, ladders, diving boards, and slides for loose bolts or other potentially unsafe conditions.
  4. Clean and Prepare the Pump. Check to see that all equipment is in working condition. Check hoses, pumps, and filters according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Start the circulation system and allow it to run for eight to 12 hours.
  5. Check the Chemical Levels. After the eight to 12-hour run time, check the pH level, total alkalinity, hardness of water due to calcium, chlorine and so on. Fill the test tube from your test kit with water retrieved from at least 400mm below the surface. Collect your sample away from the pump inlet. Add the test-specific amount of agent and cap tube and shake. Do not cover the tube with your finger. Oils introduced from your hand can compromise the results. Add chemicals in proper order to balance the water.
  6. Take Inventory of Supplies and Safety Measures. Check all support and safety items related to pool safety. Do you have a first aid kit fully stocked and within easy reach? Is your cleaning equipment in working order? Is the gate and latch secure to prevent accidental access or to secure the pool when you are away on holiday or business?

 

Remember if you need a hand, your local pool expert is there to help. They have the experience to check your pool and equipment to make sure it is fit to swim in. You may even find it cheaper and easier to get the experts in to check it all for you.

All the best with it!

Five Things To Consider When Warming Up For The Summer

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  1. With drought forecasted for South East Queensland (SEQ) and Northern NSW, we can predict that water is going to be scarce again this summer
  2. With a more inviting swimming season, there will be more people bathing, and more evaporation
  3. To save water evaporation, put a cover on your pool to warm the water which will allow you to start swimming sooner
  4. The average backyard pool will lose over its entire volume of water in evaporation over summer…
  5. Why not keep your pool covered with a Daisy, it’ll stop 97% of evaporation.

For more info on saving evaporation, check out our website: www.daisypoolcovers.com.au