With an average April high of 80 degrees in Austin, Texas, it’s about time to get back in the pool!
Whether you’re installing an above ground pool in your yard for the first time or taking off the cover after a long winter, it’s important to understand above ground pool maintenance.
While there may be a bit of a learning curve at first, once you know how to take care of your above ground pool, it’ll become second nature!
Read on for our beginner’s guide on how to maintain an above ground pool.
Opening Up Your Above Ground Pool
Use a skimmer basket to remove leaves, insects, and other debris from the surface. If you haven’t cleared your pump basket, located at the base of your pump housing, since last season, do so now. This basket gets filled with debris often and should be checked on at least once a week when the pump is running.
Grab the pump and reconnect all of the hoses and cords. Once you’ve turned the pump on, you’ll be able to check for any sign of leakage indicating that some parts may need replacement.
Sometimes, pumps need to be primed before they’ll function properly. If you’re having trouble with your pump, check the owner’s manual and find out what you can do to get it back in tiptop shape!
If you have an above ground pool, you likely have an automatic pool cleaner in addition to your pump basket. Make sure this is also clean and hook it back up so it can start filtering out the debris that falls into your water.
Getting the Right Chlorine Levels
Chlorine is the chemical that helps prevent algae buildups in your pool. While small amounts of algae are more unsightly than they are dangerous, larger amount of algae can cause respiratory problems, especially for people with asthma.
You want to keep your pool at a level of at least 1.0 ppm chlorine when it is in use. To test your chlorine levels, you can use either test strips or a test kit.
Once your pump is back on, you will get higher levels of regulated chlorine. However, if your levels are still too low, consider using chlorine tablets until the pump is working again.
Test your chlorine levels a few times a week at the beginning of the swimming season to make sure that your pump is regulating things properly. Once you have stable levels, you can test your pool water once a week.
General Above Ground Pool Maintenance
During the swimming season, you will need to run the pump at least 12 hours a day. That also means you should check your pump basket at least once a week so that it doesn’t get overloaded with debris.
Once a month, check the pool’s cyanuric acid and calcium hardness levels. Scrub the areas around the ladder, waterline, and any other spots that end up with algae slicks.
Above Ground Pool Professionals Near You
If you’re in Austin Texas and need help with your above ground pool maintenance, we’re here to help.
Contact us with any questions you may have or to get a quote on our above ground pool prices.
