How to Clean an Above Ground Pool That Has Not Been Maintained

With a little work, the dirtiest pool can be made useable again.

Sometimes proper pool maintenance can get be neglected by the pool owner. Often, pools are left alone during the fall and winter and this can make a pool very dirty. When purchasing a new home with an above grounds pool, many times the pool has not been kept up during the sale of the house and will need cleaning. You should try to avoid draining the pool. Above ground pools have pool liners that can dry in the sun and crack when the pool is empty.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose attached to spigot
• Pool net
• Pool shocking kit
• Pool Hand Vacuum

Instructions

1. Keep water in the pool. If your above ground pool has been left empty for a long period of time, you need to check the liner for holes. To do this, you will need to stand in the pool and run a small amount of water over the whole inside of the pool. Look for water leaking out through the lining. You may need to buy a new pool lining or a patching kit.

2. Use a pool net to scoop out any debris floating in the pool.

3. Pull out the pool filters and clean them.

4. Use a pool shocking kit to clear the water. Follow the direction in the kit as to how much chemical you should put in a pool your size. Most kits work for both above ground and in ground pools, check carefully to be sure.

5. Clean the scum on the bottom of the pool using a pool vacuum. A hand vacuum is recommended over an automatic one. Automatic pool vacuums can get caught in one area and damage the pool lining. If you are going to use an automatic vacuum, be sure to watch it and don't let it sit in one place too long. Turn off the automatic vacuum when it is finished cleaning.

6. Run the pool pumps to finish cleaning the water. This will filter the water as the water is passed through the filter.

References

• Shade Builder: Above Ground Pool Mistakes
• Best Swimming Pool Supplies: Cleaning Above Ground Pools
• Wethead Media: How to Clean a Green Pool