Spring is finally here! Does your pool have everything it needs this year? With summer just around the corner and temperatures rapidly rising, I’m sure you’re all eager to get your pools open and ready for the season. The good news is, we’re here to help! At Namco, your safety is our #1 priority, and we want to make sure you have what you need to keep your pool clean all summer long guaranteed. All you need are these supplies and a friend to help! Get ready to jump in and enjoy your pool in no time!

    1. Deep Leaf Rake 

This pool tool is essential! From scooping branches, leaves, and even frogs off of your pool cover – this will come in handy!  The early days in swim season have arrived and the first thing you’re going to want to do is scoop most of it off with a Deep Leaf Rake. This will also help you ensure that you won’t clog your pump or filter.

    2. Cover Pump or Siphon

Now we're going to have to remove all the water off your cover that accumulated from snow and rain. This is important! I’m sure it doesn’t look like the kind of water you want to swim in, so we’ll have to get as much of it off, so it doesn’t fall into your pool when you take off your winter cover. Be patient! You got this! The easiest way to do this is using a Cover Pump or siphon to remove water from the top of your cover. Luckily, Namco carries both of them!

    3. Brush 

Brush off the remaining debris and leaves from the top of your cover and then remove it. The more you brush off the better. Remember, you don’t want any of that dirt getting into your pool!

    4. Winter Cover Cleaner

Find a large enough area to spread out the cover and start washing it with Winter Cover Cleaner and a brush and start scrubbing!  This will help extend the life of your winter pool cover. Don’t forget, it’s important to store your cover completely dry to avoid damages from moisture or mold, so leave it out to dry fully. Do this on a sunny day, it will dry faster!

    5. Testing Strips

Now that you’ve got the cover off, it’s time to test the water! Before adding any start up chemicals to your pool, you should first test the pool water with Test Strips. These strips test the chemical levels which will tell you how much product you will need to add. Having these at home test trips makes water chemistry a breeze, just test, and add what you need! If you need guidance on test strips, call your local store. We are here to help!

    6. Start Up Chemicals

Now you can add your Shock, Chlorine, Algaecide, and Water Clarifier to balance your water. Algaecide will help get rid of and prevent algae growth in your pool and water clarifier will combined the small particles and bacteria into larger clumps that your filter can pick up. Check your owner’s manual for information on pool chemical level standards. Let your pump and filter run for 24 hours, and then test the water again. These four chemicals will ensure your pool will be clean and clear all summer long. Namco even has a Namco Value Pool Opening Chemical Kit that comes with everything you need to get started!

Once your water is balanced and your equipment is working properly, all that’s left to do is blow up your favorite pool floats and toys and enjoy your summer! Sit back and relax, you deserve it! But don’t forget to test your water regularly and make sure your chemicals are balanced and shock your pool once a month.