Designing a pool for an unusually shaped block

Designing a pool for an unusually shaped block

Summer Is Here! Tips on Opening Your Pool

Chad Howell

When summer arrives, you and your family will be keen to get your swimming pool open and back in use. Before diving in, there are a few steps that you'll need to take, including having the pool water tested by a pool services contractor to make sure that it's safe to swim in.

Here's a quick guide to opening your pool.

  1. When the daytime temperature outside reaches around 210C, you should open up your pool. If you wait too long and allow the temperature to rise too much, the air under the cover will warm up and heat the water, presenting a risk of algae blooming in the pool water.  
  2. Clear any debris from the pool cover before you attempt to remove it. Removing the cover while it's covered in dead leaves and other detritus always ends up with most of the rubbish in the pool! Clean the pool cover, allow it to air dry completely, and then put it away somewhere dry and rodent-free.  
  3. Now go around the pool and replace all hoses and plugs that you removed when the pool was winterised.  
  4. If your pool has a multi-port valve, place it into the filtration position.  
  5. Apply lubricant to all 'O' rings.  
  6. Fill the pump with water.  
  7. Clean the sand filter with a proprietary sand filter cleaner or replace the sand if the filter is more than five years old. Cartridge filters should be cleaned out with filter cleaner or replace it if it's more than three years old.  
  8. Now fill the pool with water. Turn on all the pool equipment and check for leaks around the pump basket and multi-port valve gasket.  
  9. Give the pool a good brush down, including the steps and benches, using a tile and vinyl cleaning product. Skim or vacuum any debris from the surface of the water.  
  10. Allow the water to circulate for at least 24 hours, and then take a water sample. Ask your pool maintenance contractor to test the sample for you. Don't panic if the water turns green; your pool contractor will recommend a suitable treatment that will quickly return the water to clear blue.

In conclusion

Follow the guidelines above to prepare your pool for a busy summer full of refreshing fun. Everything you need to open your pool can be obtained from a pool supplies store. If you experience any problems with your pool equipment or with the water itself, contact your local pool services contractor for more guidance and assistance.


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About Me
Designing a pool for an unusually shaped block

It used to be relatively easy to design pools for blocks, as you'd just look at the backyard and figure up which rectangular or kidney shaped pool could fit in the yard. With all sorts of new block shapes occurring when people subdivide old blocks, it can be more challenging to fit a traditional pool into a yard. However, some innovative pool designers and homeowners have come up with great pools that fit on unusually shaped blocks and make the most of limited space. This blog highlights some of the pools I have seen online and in real life that have impressed me with great design. I hope you like it.

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