How to Properly Fill Your Swimming Pool to Avoid Needing Water Pump Repair in Columbia, TN
March 1, 2018
There’s a feeling of excitement whenever it’s time to fill the pool up for the season. However, don’t get so excited that you lose track of how to fill the pool properly and safely—incorrectly filling the pool could lead to you over-extending the capabilities of your well and pumping system, which could lead to you needing water pump repair in Columbia, TN.
With this in mind, here are some tips to ensure you properly fill your swimming pool as you prepare for the new pool season:
- Remove plugs: If the pool was winterized, your first step (after uncovering and cleaning the pool) will be to pull out expansion plugs from the skimmers and wall returns. Put all the fittings into the appropriate places. If your pool is brand new, you won’t have to worry about this step.
- Get systems running: Connect all of the underwater light fixtures, the filtration system, the heater, the pump and any other operational accessories needed to run your pool. At this stage, you’ll need to install drain plugs in the filter, heater, pump and other items as needed. The way you proceed with these steps could vary depending on the style of pool you have and the specific products you are using, so make sure you consult your pool’s instructional manual to get specific guidance with this step.
- Set up your hose: Connect a garden hose to any outdoor faucet, making sure the hose can reach the pool from the faucet. The hose should be away from any plugs, electrical lines, vehicles or other hazards. If you wish, you can order water from a pool service instead, which would decrease the impact on your water bill.
- Fill to the correct level: You’ll need to fill the pool until the water level reaches the middle of a surface skimmer. The pool water filter inlet should be slightly covered. This could take hours or days, depending on the size of the pool and the method you’re using to fill it (hose versus water delivery). A water delivery service, for example, typically carries 5,000 or 6,000 gallons at once, and will take approximately 30 minutes to pump out all of that water. A 30,000-gallon pool, then, would take two and a half hours of pumping, plus trips back and forth from the delivery point.
- Clean the bottom of the pool: As the water starts to fill up, use a long-handled brush to clean the pool’s floor. Remove any debris or leaves, and scrub the walls of the pool as it fills to get rid of dirt, algae and any other contaminants that might be in the pool.
- Plug in accessories: The pool filtration system and other accessories can be plugged in after the water level approaches the filter inlets. You’ll need to prime the pump, and should also check for leaks at all connection points.
- Chlorinate: The general rule is that a 35,000-gallon pool will take three pounds of shock dissolved in five gallons of water. Spread it around the entire perimeter of the pool.
- Test pH: Make sure the pH, alkalinity and other measures meet pool specifications.
For more information about safely filling up your pool and avoiding water pump repair in Columbia, TN, contact us today.
Categorised in: Water Pump Repair