How to Maintain an Above Ground Pool

Our pool experts at The Pool Factory have put together the following tutorial to teach you how to maintain your above ground pool.

Maintaining one’s pool could seem complicated at first but our specialists at The Pool Factory™ have put together the following tutorial to teach you how to start-up your new or existing swimming pool and how to maintain an above ground pool on a ongoing basis.

Before starting please remember to...

Read entire label of each bottle and use in accordance with precautionary statements and directions.
All chemicals should be handled by adults only, and kept out of the reach of children. Filter system must always be on and running when adding chemicals to pool.
All chemicals should be added to pool separately and must not be mixed together.
For existing pools, remove cover, connect filter to pool and remove any winter plates and plugs. Add water if needed, and clean and vacuum pool.

Pool Start-up for New or Existing Pools

Make sure pool is filled up to the top of the skimmer opening. Refer to instructions supplied with pool filter if you have questions.
Follow directions on test strips and use test strips to measure the total alkalinity of the pool water and adjust to proper range of 80 to 120 ppm. Add Aquamate Alkalinity Plus (to raise alkalinity) or Alka Down (to lower alkalinity) as necessary, following directions on container.
Use test strips to measure the pH level of the pool water and adjust to proper range of 7.2 to 7.8. Add Aquamate pH Plus (to raise pH) or pH Minus (to lower pH) as necessary, following directions on container.
Add liquid shock by pouring into skimmer with filter running (Liquid Shock is purchased separately, or is supplied with new pool package) at a rate of 1 gallon per 5000 gallons of pool water. Granular shock can be substituted for liquid shock, follow directions on label.
Add Algaecide per label instructions.
Continue to run filter at least 8-12 hours to properly circulate the chemicals that were added to the swimming pool.
Use test strip to make sure that chlorine level is in safe range of 1-3 ppm (this usually takes about 12-24 hrs after adding shock). Add chlorine stabilizer at a rate of 8 oz per 3000 gallons. Add chlorine stabilizer to skimmer with filter running.
Add 2oz of Super Clarifier per 5000 gallons directly to pool water with filter running.
Begin adding your regular dose of chlorine sanitizer (i.e. Chlorine powder or tablets) to keep your chlorine level in the safe range on your test strip. Chlorine sanitizer is purchased separately, or is supplied with new pool package.

Pool Maintenance (Ongoing)

Always keep the chlorine level in the safe range on your test strip. It is important to test the chlorine level daily.
Run the Filter System everyday so that the water circulates. This will prevent algae growth and will help keep your pool water clean and clear. Typically, pool owners run the the Filter System 8 to 12 hours a day, but times can vary based on weather and usage.
Test and adjust Total Alkalinity and pH levels weekly.
Add maintenance dose of algaecide per label instructions weekly.
Add 2 oz of Super Clarifier per 5000 gallons of pool water each week.

Rain, hot weather and heavy use affect you pool water’s chemistry. Typically, you will need to add more chlorine and run filter longer.

Rain also usually causes Alkalinity and pH levels to go down, which causes cloudy water. Using water test strips – test your Alkalinity and pH levels after it rains.

Shocking the pool with liquid shock weekly or every other week will also help keep your pool sparkling clean.