As a pool maintenance technician, I’ve had the opportunity to work on various pool opening projects. The condition of a pool when it’s opened for the season can vary greatly, influenced by factors such as its location, the presence of trees and bushes, fencing, and how well it was winterized. In this post, I’ll compare two of my pool opening projects to highlight these differences and the impact of our recent practice of balancing water LSI (Langlier Saturation Index) before closing for the season.
1. Introduction
- A Pool Maintenance Technician is a glorified poolboy. The difference between the two is a maintenance technician knows how to fix all pool equipment. This is incredibly valuable because they can see problems before they become problems and fix it before it becomes an expensive fix. They also know how to balance pool chemicals beyond chlorine and acid. This is vital because pool water wants to be neutral and it will find ways of becoming neutral by either pulling calcium from the plaster and cracking it, or by depositing calcium in the form of white flakes on your pool floor. When you envision a perfect pool you probably imagine amazing scenery, pool furniture, slides or diving boards, etc. All of those are great, but you probably don’t think of how much work it takes to keep water clear and safe. That’s where a technician comes in.
- If you live in an area where the swim season is seasonal and own a pool, you have hopefully heard of pool winterization. You cant just turn off the pumps and close the cover because frozen water is pool equipment’s greatest enemy. If water freezes in pipes, they can break and leak. You can imagine how serious that can be when your pool is full of 30,000 plus gallons of water and that water has a way to escape. Not only is it expensive to keep filled while it is leaking, but if it floods the ground and your house then you’ll be in a world of hurt. Winterization will also keep your plaster from cracking and keep the white dust from settling on the floor. Nobody likes the idea of going to open the pool at the beginning of the summer and finding out that their equipment is damaged and has to be replaced. It’s a complete buzzkill and will seriously hurt your wallet.
2. Project 1: The Challenging Pool
- This pool was a nightmare. It was covered with a mesh cover instead of a standard tarp cover which allowed water to evaporate, leaves to decay in the water, bugs and mosquitoes to enter and lay eggs, and the worst is it allowed sunlight into the water. Sunlight in unfiltered water is a perfect place for algae to grow. Algae grows roots into the plaster and is almost impossible to remove. So those green spots will stay in the plaster and will permanently give off the appearance of algae. Nobody wants to swim in that.
- After getting the mesh cover removed, (which was stupid heavy and gross) we set on getting as much chlorine in the pool as possible to start killing off bugs, bacteria, and algae. A normal pool startup takes about 1-2 scoops of shock (cal-hypo) which is about 24oz. This pool took 8. Then we came back a week later to add 8 more scoops. Followed by another 4 the week after that. It was a swamp and wanted to stay that way.
- Their pool equipment was also outdoors and exposed to the elements. This is fine and the equipment is made for outdoor use. But with snow, rain, wind, and animals some of the equipment parts get lost. It took a good while to find all the plugs to the pumps and heater and some of the fittings just did not want to thread on. A normal pool startup takes about an hour (depending on how dirty) and this one took about 3 visits over the span of 3 weeks.
3. Project 2: The Smooth Opening
- This pool was a dream to open. When I first opened the cover it looked crystal clear with very few leaves and worms inside. It even had a little chlorine in the water which was amazing after sitting for 4-6 months. The equipment was indoors and heated so all the equipment was easy to reattach and turn on.
- Their yard was free of trees which helped minimize the amount of leaves that could fall in the pool and it also had a standard pool cover that closed completely to keep out any debris and shade the water from the sun. It still took work in cleaning, hooking up equipment, and balancing chemicals but not nearly as bad as the other pool.
- Because the pool was properly winterized and had all the proper equipment, the time it took to get the pool ready for swimming (besides heating the water) was about 45 minutes. I’ll take that any day over 3 weeks.
4. The Role of LSI Balancing in Winterization
- The LSI balancing technique has revolutionized our pool opening process. By adjusting the water’s LSI to be optimal at 45 degrees before the winter closure, we’ve significantly reduced springtime hassles. This proactive approach ensures that the water chemistry is more stable over the winter months, preventing the pool from becoming a breeding ground for algae and bacteria.
- Implementing LSI balancing before winterization has a profound impact on the pool’s plaster. Normally, idle water can leach or deposit calcium, leading to plaster damage. With LSI balancing, the water remains in a state less likely to cause harm, greatly reducing the risk of plaster degradation.
- This method has streamlined our spring openings. The balanced water responds more predictively to initial chemical treatments, making it easier to achieve clear, balanced water. We spend less time correcting imbalances and more time ensuring everything else is in top shape.
5. Key Takeaways and Best Practices
- The contrast between these two projects highlights several best practices. First, the importance of a comprehensive winterization process cannot be overstated. It’s not just about covering the pool; it’s about preparing the water and equipment for dormant months.
- The presence of foliage, type of pool cover, and other environmental factors play significant roles in how a pool weathers the off-season. Minimizing exposure to elements like leaves and sunlight can dramatically reduce spring cleaning efforts.
- Finally, LSI balancing is a game-changer. It’s a step that requires some expertise but pays off in reduced maintenance time and cost in the long run. As a technician, it’s made my job more about fine-tuning rather than fixing problems.
6. Conclusion
- Proper pool care is an ongoing process that doesn’t end when the swimming season does. The efforts you put in during closing will have a significant impact on your pool opening experience. These comparisons demonstrate that a little foresight and preparation can save a lot of time and frustration.
- Whether you’re a pool owner or a fellow technician, I hope these insights help you approach pool maintenance with a new perspective. Remember, the key to a hassle-free pool opening lies in thorough and thoughtful winterization.