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How To Properly Open A Pool

Pool season is here and while many open their pools as early as March, Memorial Weekend is symbolically the start of pool season. Opening your pool properly will determine how quickly you and your family will enjoy the pool and will help you avoid potential problems such as chemical imbalance and improper filtration. Below are some key steps to properly opening your pool.
1. Clear or remove your pool cover. If you have an automatic cover you should have been keeping it clear of debris and making sure your pump off all the water prior to trying to operate the automatic cover. If you use a winter cover, remove the cover and store for the pool season. If you do not own an automatic pool cover you should consider a solar cover or other to help keep you pool warm and free from debris.
2. Retrieve all of your stored pool parts out of storage such as: return eyeballs,  o-rings, and  gaskets.
3. Check your equipment:

  • Heater – Just like your home heating system you will want to have your gas pool heater or electric heat pump serviced and ready for the season.
  • Filter – Whatever type of filter you use we recommend examining filter media to make sure it’s clean for maximum filtration. Consider having your filter cleaned professionally when you close or upon opening. Your family will appreciate clean water.
  • Pump – Examine all the wires to ensure no damage, place basket in pump housing and to prevent dry rot and help with a better seal use petroleum jelly or magic lube on gasket before installing (this is also recommended for all o-rings and rubber gaskets).
  • Automation – If your pool is equipped with this option reinstall the ORP and Ph probes. Note:  You should always store inside your house through the winter to prevent freezing.
  • The chlorine generator should be checked on the inside to see if the grids are clean. If they are not clean, use a 50/50 muriatic muriatic muriatic and water mixture to clean.

4. Install the pool return eyeballs, pump, and skimmer baskets.
5. Make sure pool water level is at proper level – middle to upper middle of skimmer.
6. Prime the pump prior to operating. Once everything has been checked and installed, simply fill the pump basket with water.
6. Add chemicals – typically chlorine shock, algaecide, salt, stain and scale preventer.  Your initial chemical composition will vary depending the type of pool that you are running and current levels in the water. Don’t experiment with this.

  • Chlorine pool – with a standard chlorine pool you will need test your water chemistry at least once a week (possibly more with extreme heat conditions) and add the necessary chemicals.
  • Automated pools – you will need to recheck the water within a few days after pool has been circulating to check the reading. Then set all of your levels to your preferred setting and your done for the season.

7. Sweep and brush as needed or use a robotic cleaner (just put in water as needed and it does the work for you). For pools with a lot of large debris, vacuuming on “waste” will  bypass the filter to avoid extra filter cleaning.
8. Monitor the seals, gaskets, o-rings, gauges and fittings closely for the first couple days for leaks.
Opening your pool is a good time to think about converting to a salt water pool. Salt water pools have many advantages including being better for your skin and less irritation on the eyes.
Your pool really is a relatively simple system, however, like anything with pumps and motors, proper maintenance and operation are key. Many chose to have their pools professionally opened and maintained to ensure that everything is functioning properly and to help extend the life of your equipment. We offer many options for opening, closing, and maintaining your pool. Ask about our Mud Club VIP program.
 
 



Leisure Pools® The Summit™

As one of the world’s largest composite swimming pool manufacturers, Leisure Pools® has developed a stylish and innovative range of swimming pools, in a variety of designs and sizes, with a multitude of features and benefits, so that we can provide you with the ideal swimming pool for your home. 

Looking for a splash pad but your backyard is a little more demanding? The Summit offers you a full-width splash pad but in a narrower design that allows you to enjoy all the benefits in a more compact size. You can have it all with your inground fiberglass pool even in the city or restrictive space. Designed to be a companion to the popular Pinnacle design, the full-width splash pad is designed to better fit more space-conscious backyards.

Leisure Pools® offers a beautiful and stunning range of color options that allow you to stylize and customize your pool.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to view more pools installed by Mud Slingers Pool & Patio!

Length Width Shallow Deep
35’ 0” 14’ 0” 4’ 4” 6’ 6”
30’ 0” 14’ 0” 4’ 4” 6’ 0”

 



Leisure Pools® The Palladium Plunge™

As one of the world’s largest composite swimming pool manufacturers, Leisure Pools® has developed a stylish and innovative range of swimming pools, in a variety of designs and sizes, with a multitude of features and benefits, so that we can provide you with the ideal swimming pool for your home. 

The Palladium Plunge is an incredible plunge pool that seems perfectly built for two. Relax in your own backyard pool or add spa jets for an even more enjoyable pool experience. This flat bottom, inground fiberglass pool can be a family community pool and allows for incredible landscaping opportunities around it. One of Leisure Pools® larger plunge pools, this provides an attractive option for those interested in relaxation with seating options as well as the use of spa jets or swim flow systems.

Leisure Pools® offers a beautiful and stunning range of color options that allow you to stylize and customize your pool.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to view more pools installed by Mud Slingers Pool & Patio!

Length Width Flat Bottom Depth
20’ 0” 8’ 0” 5’ 0”
16’ 0” 8’ 0” 5’ 0”

 



Leisure Pools® The Precision™

As one of the world’s largest composite swimming pool manufacturers, Leisure Pools® has developed a stylish and innovative range of swimming pools, in a variety of designs and sizes, with a multitude of features and benefits, so that we can provide you with the ideal swimming pool for your home. 

The Precision is one of Leisure Pools® European style inground fiberglass swimming pools, this features a distinctive and eye-catching high-water line. It allows the water in your pool to be almost to the very top of your pool creating a visually stunning swimming pool design. Style and function in one pool. A sharp, elegant pool that offers a high water line plus an entry step / bench seat integrated into its contemporary design.

Leisure Pools® offers a beautiful and stunning range of color options that allow you to stylize and customize your pool.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to view more pools installed by Mud Slingers Pool & Patio!

Length Width Flat Bottom Depth
26’ 4” 10’ 8” 4’ 11”
23’ 0” 10’ 8” 4’ 11”


Leisure Pools® The Pinnacle™

As one of the world’s largest composite swimming pool manufacturers, Leisure Pools® has developed a stylish and innovative range of swimming pools, in a variety of designs and sizes, with a multitude of features and benefits, so that we can provide you with the ideal swimming pool for your home. 

True to its name, The Pinnacle has become one of Leisure Pools® most popular inground fiberglass pool designs. The most outstanding feature is its full-width splash pad that allows for the placement of lounge chairs on it, the use of bubblers and of course for children and family pets to stand in and enjoy the coolness of the water.

Leisure Pools® offers a beautiful and stunning range of color options that allow you to stylize and customize your pool.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to view more pools installed by Mud Slingers Pool & Patio!

Length Width Shallow Deep
40’ 0” 15’ 5” 4’ 4” 7’ 0”
35’ 0” 15’ 5” 4’ 4” 6’ 6”
30’ 0” 15’ 5” 4’ 4” 6’ 0”

 



Warranty Update

The Mud Slingers team would like to extend our appreciation to our valued customers for your patience and understanding. We strive to always provide the best experience and product for our customers. Like many others, we have faced trying times with COVID-19, materials shortage, labor shortage and supply chain issues.

We would like to clarify that, just like other pool companies or construction trades, we do NOT personally make, manufacture or assemble pool parts, equipment or materials. We are installers of manufacturers’ products and therefore warranties are from the manufacturer.

It is rare, but when issues arise, we must follow protocols set in place by the manufacturer to maintain the integrity of any warranty. While we want to ensure you are able to keep any warranty valid, our manufacturers are also experiencing supply chain issues, travel restrictions, elevated service call charges,  fuel surcharges and other challenges – increasing the time it takes to receive parts to fix any issues. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this time.



What You Need to Know About Zinc Anode

Do you know what zinc anode is? Or a better question, does your pool builder know what zinc anode is? 

Zinc anode is standard on all Mud Slingers pools. A common question we get about swimming pools is about corrosion on metal parts. Especially when it’s a saltwater pool, which we specialize in. 

Corrosion can occur when electrolysis in the water is present. The zinc anode is plumbed directly into the plumbing lines and is also attached to the #8 copper bonding wire that is run continuously through all the metals parts on the pool and pool equipment. 

The sole purpose of this component is to directly absorb any electrical current in the water to keep the pool parts safe. If you don’t have one on your current or potential pool ask why.



Why We Use Jandy Valves

These days swimming pools have a lot of water features such as deck jets, waterfalls and bubblers along with the normal water lines for skimmers, main drains and return jets. 

At Mud Slingers, we like to use standard “Jandy valves.” These valves are made to easily open and close when water is needed to send to a particular water feature when desired. 

When using a Jandy valve with the addition an actuator, the motorized unit can automatically open the valve to activate the water feature. This can be done with your smart device through your wifi app which comes standard with all equipment packages at Mud Slingers Pool & Patio.



Pipe Tips for New Pool Owners

When looking into building a new pool make sure your potential builder is using all Schedule 40 rigid (hard) pipe or better, like Schedule 80, for all of the plumbing and fittings. Flexible PVC pipe is more susceptible to damage and an even bigger risk of termites eating through the pipe. If this occurs, it could cause air to enter the system and cause the pool pump to lose prime and cavitate or burn the motor up which can be a costly replacement. Also, these plumbing lines are underground and usually under concrete decking that would need to be torn out to make the repair. 

If you see rolls of the flex pipe pictured below on your project, demand that your builder immediately remove this and replace it with rigid pipe.

In addition, you want to make sure you are using a minimum of 2″ diameter pipe for all lines. This will get maximum GPM (gallons per minute) for great filtration, heating and disinfection to achieve a quicker turnover time. Six hours is recommended and required for commercial or community pools.

If your builder is using a pipe smaller than 2″ in diameter, in addition to circulation inadequacy, this can cause back pressure on the lines which then causes back pressure on the pump motor, ultimately resulting in shortened motor life.

Plumbing is very important so please verify the type and size of piping being used.

 

Example of flex pipe to avoid.



Keep These Plants Nearby to Ward Off Bugs This Pool Season
Nothing is worse than the moment you’re trying to enjoy your pool and are constantly bothered by bugs. Sure there are bug repellants, but there are other more natural alternatives to keep them away for good.
To get a head start, go to your nearest garden shop and look for these plants that repel bugs spiders, mosquitoes, flies, ticks and more.
  • Lemongrass
  • Mint
  • Basil
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Catnip
  • Bay leaves
  • Lemon Balm
Not only will these plants keep bugs away but they will also enhance your outdoor pool space. Check out our other blogs here.


Ask Us: What Are Some Signs That My Pool Has Too Much Chlorine?
Most pools you’re familiar with contain chlorine – and for good reasons. Chlorine can help rid the pool of infections by keeping the water clean but too much can cause health-related problems. Chlorine is a very strong chemical and when found in high concentration, it can cause skin irritations and burning in addition to breathing problems.
The question then becomes, how do you get the right balance to keep your pool clean without harming swimmers?
Here are some signs your pool has too much chlorine:
  • Burning and itchy eyes
  • Skin irritation
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Other asthma-like symptoms
You’ll want to test your chlorine levels using strips or liquid drops to make sure you have a true chlorine problem.
Need help? Give us a call at (317) 650 – 5131.



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