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Comprehensive Pool Care

Expert Pool Openings, Closings, and Water Analysis Services.

Pool Opening Instructions

SwimKing’s professional staff of highly-trained technicians will, by appointment, arrange to provide the labor to open or close your residential pool. Due to the seasonal nature of our business and the high demands of our service, it is strongly recommended that you schedule this work as early as possible. For more information, please call us at (845) 339-7946 or send us an email.
pool opening

For the do-it-yourselfer, we offer these tips on opening or starting your pool. If you just got a new pool, or if you are opening your pool for a new season, here’s how to start it up and do it right. Follow these simple steps or download printable instructions:

  1. Pump water from cover. Clean and dry cover. Patch if necessary, sprinkle talc over cover, fold and store in a dry place.
  2. If you have not already done so, your DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FILTER should be cleaned and inspected. The filter should be disassembled and the flex tubes bathed in a solution of MURIATIC ACID and water. If you have a sand filter, you should clean the sand with a generous application of FILTER CLEANER. If your sand has not recently been changed, we suggest you do so now. (NOTE: SwimKing will clean your DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FILTER for a nominal fee.)
  3. Check the shaft of your motor; make sure it moves freely by hand. Do not turn motor on until you are sure the shaft is moving. Remember, if your pool filter is not working properly, your chemicals will be less effective.
  4. Remove winterizing plate and plugs from your pool. Re-install your through-the-wall skimmer and return fitting. Attach the filter and hoses to pool, and raise the water level to the middle of the skimmer. NOTE: Be sure the skimmer and return gaskets are in good condition.
  5. At this point you are ready to begin filtration. Add the DIATOMACEOUS EARTH POWDER to your filter (usually six (6) one-pound coffee cans) and begin filtration.
  6. VACUUM AND CLEAN POOL. Use PHOENIX TILE & VINYL CLEANER to remove oils and dirt from the water line. Remove any leaves or debris with your leaf net to prevent staining. Vacuum pool if necessary. You may also use your TILE & VINYL CLEANER to clean your pool’s coping, decks and fences.
  7. Clean and check all hoses along with your automatic chlorinator (if applicable). Also check and tighten all fittings and connections, including all nuts and bolts on the pool and ladder. NOTE: With the expansion and contraction of the pool water freezing, nuts and bolts may loosen during the winter.
  8. CHECK YOUR TEST KIT. Make sure it’s in proper working order. Each season you’ll need new reagents (O.T.O. & PHENOL RED) to obtain accurate readings. Bad or old test reagents can mean false readings and costly misuse of chemicals. For those that use test strips, check expiration date on the bottom of the bottle to insure accuracy.
  9. If you prefer, SwimKing will be happy to test your pool water free of charge, on our COMPUTERIZED DIAGNOSTIC TEST EQUIPMENT. Our test will reveal precisely what chemicals your pool will need to get your water balanced. We suggest you make use of our free testing frequently during the season; this often stops chemistry problems before they start.
  10. TEST AND ADJUST THE TOTAL HARDNESS. The recommended level is 150 – 300 ppm. If necessary, add SWIMKING CALCIUM HARDNESS INCREASER.
  11. TEST AND ADJUST TOTAL ALKALINITY. Total alkalinity is the measurement of the alkaline in the water. The ideal alkalinity reading is 100 to 150 ppm. Total alkalinity should be adjusted prior to adjusting pH. Use SWIMKING ALKALINITY PLUS to raise a low total alkalinity and MURIATIC ACID or SWIMKING pH MINUS to lower a high total alkalinity. NOTE: It could take several doses to lower high alkalinity.
  12. TEST AND ADJUST pH. The most important pool test is pH. A low pH indicates over-acidity, causing chlorine to dissipate quickly. The high pH reduces the chlorine’s sanitizing strength. Test your pH: the ideal reading is 7.2 to 7.6. Adjust the pH by adding SWIMKING pH PLUS or MINUS.
  13. Wait approximately eight (8) hours after pH adjustment, then, in a bucket filed with water, mix a treatment of SWIMKING SHOCKING. When all granules are dissolved, slowly pour liquid solution around entire surface of pool. This will adjust the amount of free (usable) chlorine in your pool water in order to kill any bacteria. The ideal free chlorine reading is 1.0 to 1.5 ppm. A reading below this means you will not have enough chlorine to fight bacteria.
  14. Now that the chlorine level in your pool has been elevated, you should measure the amount of stabilizer OR cyanuric acid in your pool. Ideally, it should be about 40 ppm; this prevents sunlight from dissipating chlorine. A pool that is not properly stabilized wastes chlorine. If your test reveals insufficient stabilizer, add CHLORINE STABILIZER. Do this by making sure your filter is clean, then adding the stabilizer slowly into your skimmer with the pump running. Since stabilizer dissolves slowly, do not backwash or clean filter for 2 – 3 days.
  15. NOW ADD OXY-CLEAN. OXY-CLEAN oxidizes water-soluble, non-filterable swimmer wastes and organic matter. It contains no chlorine and is designed to destroy any microbes that might be resistant to normal chlorine treatments. OXY-CLEAN is a very important part of maintaining a healthy swimming pool, and should be added to your pool every 2 – 3 weeks.
  16. If your pool is very cloudy when you open it, one reason for this could be suspended microscopic particles in your pool. If you have this problem you should add SUPER POOL PRUF WATER CLARIFIER. This concentrated clarifier is formulated to clean cloudy pools.
  17. Now that you have completed all of the opening steps, you are well on your way to a fun-filled summer of swimming and enjoyment. Your pool will, however, require WEEKLY DOSES OF CHLORINE to kill bacteria and prevent infection to swimmers. For this we recommend 3′ SWIMKING STABILIZED KING TABS. This offers you 89% AVAILABLE CHLORINE 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This chemical is STABILIZED CHLORINE so the sunlight or ultra-violet rays won’t dissipate it. You simply place the appropriate amount of tablets in a decorative floating dispenser and rest easy, knowing that your pool is safe and germ free.
We at SWIMKING are committed to offering you the FINEST QUALITY POOL CHEMICALS at the most REASONABLE PRICES. If you have any questions, please feel free to call (845) 336-7946 or email us at service@swimkingpools.com.

Pool Closing Instructions

SwimKing’s professional staff of highly-trained technicians will, by appointment, arrange to provide the labor to open or close your residential pool. Due to the seasonal nature of our business and the high demands of our service, it is strongly recommended that you schedule this work as early as possible. For more information, please call us at (845) 339-7946 or send us an email.
elephant

For the do-it-yourselfer, we offer these tips on opening or starting your pool. If you just got a new pool, or if you are opening your pool for a new season, here’s how to start it up and do it right. Follow these simple steps or download printable instructions:

24 hours before covering your pool:

  1. Adjust the total alkalinity of the water; if low, add the recommended dosage of SwimKing ALKALINITY PLUS. The alkalinity of your pool should be 80 – 150 ppm.
  2. Next it is necessary to adjust the pH. Your pool’s pH should be 7.2 to 7.8; to adjust this, add pH PLUS or pH MINUS as needed.
  3. To prevent etching of the plaster and corrosion of any metal parts, make sure the calcium hardness is not too low. The recommended level is 150 to 300 ppm. If necessary, add SWIMKING CALCIUM BOOSTER.
  4. Now perform all your pool housekeeping chores: brush the walls of the pool, vacuum the pool, and clean the water line and coping with PHOENIX TILE & VINYL CLEANER. Clean out the skimmer basket(s) and the pump’s hair and lint trap.
  5. To prevent bacterial growth during the winter months, mix and dissolve a treatment of CHLORINE SHOCK in a 5-gallon bucket filled with water. Dissolve completely and slowly. Pour the liquid solution directly into the pool. (See our representative for the correct dosage.) REMEMBER: The filter must be running to help circulate the pool water and chemicals.
  6. Now add OXY CLEAN. This oxidizes and destroys water-soluble, non-filterable swimmer waste. For round pools 15′ and 18′, use one pound. All other pool sizes, use 2 pounds. OXY CLEAN should be added to the pool using the same method as CHLORINE SHOCK. (See paragraph 5).
  7. For the last time this season, you now add SUPER POOL PRUF CLARIFIER. This will coagulate microscopic suspended particles and allow the filter to capture them.
  8. To properly mix these chemicals, allow your filtration system to run for 12 to 24 hours.
  9. Using your vacuum hose as a siphon, lower the level of the pool water 1″ to 2″ below the skimmer housing. For inground pools, lower water level just below all returns. This is required for proper winterization of the underground lines.
  10. When the pump and filter are not operating, and in the “off season” mode, any algae growth will have the opportunity to “run wild.” Prevent this from happening by adding SWIMKING WINTERCIDE. (Once again, consult with our representative for exact dosage).
  11. Next, disconnect the filter system from the pool. Drain and clean the filter tank. Your DIATOMACEOUS EARTH filter should be cleaned and inspected. The filter should be disassembled and the flex tubes bathed in a solution of MURIATIC ACID and water. (Note: SwimKing will clean your DIATOMACEOUS EARTH filter for a nominal fee.
  12. Since your filter pump will be shut down for approximately 8 months, it is VERY IMPORTANT to use CALGON PUMP PROTECTOR. This will help prevent corrosive deposits from forming on the impeller and other close tolerance areas that can cause the pump to bind. CALGON PUMP PROTECTOR prevents corrosion build-up and also lubricates the pump so that it starts right up in the spring. Follow the easy instructions on the back of the can.
  13. Install stainless steel winter plate on above ground pools.
  14. For inground pools, insert a GIZZMO DEVICE inside the inground skimmer.
  15. Remove the “EYEBALL” directional fitting from the pool (Note: if you have any problem, use the Hayward SP-1419-T removal tool.)
  16. Insert the winter plugs as needed.
  17. Inflate the air pillow and secure the pillow in the approximate center of your aboveground pool. DO NOT OVER-INFLATE. (Note: Inground pools do not require air pillows).
  18. FINALLY, COVER THE POOL. A well-designed pool cover will keep your pool relatively clean and free of debris, leaves and dirt. Secure the cover on the pool with a cable and locking device. Note: Deck pools with walkarounds and inground pools will require SwimKing WATER BAGS to secure the cover. Do not pull the cover tight over the pool’s air pillow. Do not use cement blocks, bricks or stones to secure the cover, as they will cause damage to the pool liner if they should be dragged into the pool.
  19. Excessive water must be removed from the cover. You can use an electric cover pump, or another means of siphoning excess water. NOTE: If the cover is not properly maintained, it can damage the cover and/or the pool.
You have made a substantial investment in your pool and we are committed to assisting you in protecting this large investment. For those of you who don’t have the time or knowledge, SwimKing provides a complete pool winterizing service. Prices depend on pool size and your community location. All work should be scheduled as early as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to call (845) 336-7946 or email us at service@swimkingpools.com. Remember, at SwimKing our customers become our friends.
We at SWIMKING are committed to offering you the FINEST QUALITY POOL CHEMICALS at the most REASONABLE PRICES.

Water Analysis

SwimKing offers FREE computerized water analysis for your pool or spa. Our state-of-the-art Waterlink Spin Touch uses technology borrowed from the medical field that ensures you the most accurate results possible. A typical analysis takes less than 2 minutes and is done while you wait. Our computer then generates a highly accurate analysis of your water, complete with step-by-step instructions on how to dispense the chemicals, ensuring you a balanced, sanitary pool or spa. Unlike home test kits, our system not only tests chlorine and pH levels, it also tests the alkalinity, hardness, stabilizer, free and total chlorine, salt levels, phosphates and metals.
SwimKing’s staff participates in frequent seminars that keep us up to date on the latest methods used in pool water treatment. It is recommended that you have your water analyzed when you open your pool, before adding any chemicals. It is further recommended that you have your water tested no less than twice per month during the swimming season and before closing your pool.
We have found over the years that customers who have their water analyzed more frequently experience little or no trouble with algae, bacteria, or other chemical balance problems. We also find that customers that test their water frequently typically spend less money on chemicals than those customers who only have their water analyzed when there is a problem.
Simply put, an ounce of prevention will save you pounds of chlorine and other chemicals.
swimking water analysis

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