Swimming Pool Preparation for the New Season
Continuing the maintenance activities of the pools that are not actively used during the winter months protects the user from high new season maintenance costs and difficult maintenance processes. It is recommended not to drain the pool water during the winter maintenance in order to prevent cracks that may occur on the surface of the pool and to avoid the damage to the floor coverings of the materials that can be carried from the environment to the pool. In the pools where water will be changed for the new season or filled with water for the first time, the season starts with the evaluation of the electrical and mechanical working condition of the facility, and then continues with cleaning and chemical water conditioning processes. Commissioning is carried out according to the work instructions.
Balance tank, sand filters, pool pumps, control panels and pipelines for water leak detection are checked in the engine room. The dirty water in the balance tank and the discharge line is cleaned and completely clean water is supplied to the pool during the first commissioning process. Sand filters are checked and according to sand level and pollution status appropriate cleaning protocol is applied if needed, sand is added to the system. It is recommended to change the filter sands at most every 5 years.
The pool water is disposed of and the walls of the pool, the floor, the weir channels, the inside of the overflow grates, the edges of the in-pool fixtures and the sunbathing areas are cleaned with water and chemicals. After removing the dirty water, algae-preventing chemical is applied on the dried tiles by the help of a brush. When the cleaning process is finished, the pool is filled with water and prepared for conditioning. During water filling, a certain amount of chlorine is added to prevent the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria in the water.
After the pool is completely filled with water, first the filter is cleaned by backwashing. Then the pH of the pool water is brought to the range of 7.2-7.4. Suspended solid particles in the pool water are precipitated by the flocculants. The sediments are collected by the pool bottom sweeper and the pool is ready for the shocking process. The shocking process is apply by chlorine. The chlorine level is increased to 8-10 ppm. At the end of the process, the pool is left to rest for 10-15 hours. After the pool water reaches the legally defined appropriate quality standards, the pool is ready to use. If the chemical and microbiological tests are found appropriate, the pool can be opened for use.
In order to maintain pool hygiene, pool maintenance and control plans should be created on a monthly and daily basis at the beginning of the season and the instructions should be followed throughout the season in accordance with this plan. It is recommended that maintenance and control services be carried out by people who have received higher education in their field and who have received training in pool operatorship approved by the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Turkey in accordance with the relevant legislation. The tests and periodic controls performed by the pool operators are controlled and monitored by the relevant chemical application control specialist.
In terms of user health and pool water cleaning, it should be noted that the preferred pool water conditioning chemicals brand should has been proven to comply with national and international legal requirements. Permits of approved chemicals can be easily checked on the Turkish Ministry of Health pages. In order to prevent the use of unlicensed products in the market in terms of public health and commercial ethics; products without a certificate should not be used and when detected, must be reported to the relevant authorities.