Cleaning – Start

1. The swimming tank

• If there is a winter cover, it should be removed for cleaning and left in the sun to dry. The cover can be used again until the start of the season to protect the water from dirt and as a safety measure. During the summer season, it is better to use a summer cover.
• First, the pool walls should be cleaned. This process can be done either with a vacuum cleaner or with a washing machine, depending on the surface of the pool.
• It is important to inspect the water inlets and the various other plastic components that are built in (skimmer, vacuum nozzle, etc.) for possible damage. The overflow channel and its grate must also be cleaned.
• We check the light fixtures if they work properly and for any water ingress into the lamps.
• We carefully clean the bottom well of dirt that may have blocked its pipe.
• In case we need to clean the surface of the pool, we use the right chemical products to avoid possible corrosion. There are different cleaners, depending on the finish of the pool.
• If the pool needs to be emptied in order to be cleaned more thoroughly, it is better not to do it in conditions of great sunshine.
• We finish by cleaning the stainless steel parts of the pool (bars, stairs, etc.), where we again use products for this specific application.

2. The engine room

This is where the heart of the pool is located, including the equipment for recirculating and treating the water. First we will have to clean the area to be able to work more easily.

The pump

We put it back in its place, in case it has been removed and check the prefilter if it is in good condition. It should not be broken or corroded in case it is metal. Then we check the direction of rotation of the motor, if it is three-phase.

• We make sure the prefilter cap and gasket seal properly. At the same time we check if the non-return valve is working. Finally, we inspect the connections inside the electrical panel and tighten the contacts.
• We look carefully for possible leaks. A small water leak can cause big problems later.

The filter

The checks to be done are related to the type of filter we have.

• In the case of the sand filter, open the lid and check inside. If the sand has become compacted, it should be cleaned with the appropriate chemicals. We should drain the water from the filter with the drain plug and refill the filter with water and the appropriate chemical. It will remain like this for 4 hours with the lid open and then we will close the lid and clean the filter sand.
• In the case of a cartridge filter, we check the condition of the cartridges and clean them with water at high pressure.

Finally, we check the connections on the filter and test the polyvalve to make sure it's working smoothly.

Overflow tank.

In pools with an overflow tank, it is necessary to check the tank and clean it if necessary. We also clean the point of water suction from the tank to the pump.

3. Cleaning the piping

In the event that we can recirculate the water without it passing through the filter, it is recommended to clean the pipes from salts and algae deposits.

To achieve this, we fill the pool as little as possible so that we can recirculate the water. We add a strong disinfectant and descaling agent to the water and set the system to recirculation mode, without passing the water through the filter. We work like this for 30 minutes and then drain the water.

4. Preparation of water.

In all pools, the water needs initial conditioning at the start of the season. First we should add or fill the pool with water, until the recirculation is done properly.

When filling the pool (which can take days) we add chlorine shock (dichloro) to keep the water in good condition.

When the pool is full, it is necessary to proceed with a shock dosage of disinfectant to eliminate germs and infectious agents until the excess chlorine reaches levels of 5ppm. We can add algaecide in this phase to prevent algae growth.

In addition to water disinfection, it is necessary to measure and correct the pH of the water, using the corresponding pH regulators.

It is also important to add the right amount of flocculant, which will help our water to clean and become clearer.

5. Devices for water treatment.

• If there is a system salt electrolysis, the electrolysis electrode should be removed and the plates cleaned. The cleaning method varies depending on the manufacturer. The salinity of the water should also be measured, either with the electrolysis device, or with a similar instrument.
• The Cl and pH automations they need special attention. Their proper operation ensures clean and healthy water during the use of the pool, but for this to happen they must have been properly maintained. The electrodes need to be checked for measurement accuracy and it is recommended to replace them every 1-2 years. In any case, they need calibration according to the procedure provided by the manufacturer.