Start Kit

Components of Spring Pool Chemical Kits

When it’s time to invest in a spring pool chemical kit, also known as a spring start-up kit, backyard swimming pool owners want to know what they’re buying.  They may also wonder if buying a pool kit is really worth the savings.  Pool maintenance can be confusing, however, and a kit offers both savings and the opportunity to buy all of the products you need to open your pool.  Starting the season off with a healthy, clean pool is important if you don’t want to spend more time on maintenance than on enjoying your pool.

It is helpful to know exactly what the products in your pool chemical kit do, however; we all want to know where our hard-earned money is going.  And you may want to upgrade your pool kit to higher-quality or larger quantities of pool chemicals, a difficult decision to make unless you really understand the products in pool kits.  With that in mind, here are descriptions of the products in typical spring pool chemical kits.

• Metal Control: Metal control products remove and control scale, discoloration, and stains in pools.  Stains and discoloration make it appear as though your swimming pool is not being maintained and can be an embarrassment when you have visitors.  Metal control also helps extend the life of your pool plumbing by preventing mineral and metal buildup.  It is especially important to use this product when your pool water has heavy mineral content or comes from a well.  Metal control should be added weekly throughout the season to prevent stains.  A spring kit comes with one application, so consider buying an upgraded seasonal or premium pool kit with additional metal control or looking for quantity discounts to save money.  
• Algaecide: Look for an aggressive, non-metal algaecide concentrate when reopening your swimming pool.  Once you’ve used the product that comes in your spring pool kit, you can switch to algaecides that address specific algae growths, such as those that treat green or black algae, if needed.  Or use an algaecide that is specially-formulated to allow swimming just 15 minutes after application.
• Super Shock: Super shock is an extra-powerful pool shock that is very effective for pool start-up.  It is also used when maintenance issues, such as tough cleanup and algae problems, arise.  Super shock kills bacteria, eliminates contaminants, controls algae, and restores shimmering clarity to pool water.  Your swimming pool needs to be shocked once per week, but there are other pool shock options as long as you maintain your pool well enough that super shock is not required.  For example, once you’ve opened your pool with super shock, you may want to keep a non-chlorine shock oxidizer on hand, which allows you to swim in your pool just 15 minutes after application. 
• Water Clarifier: Spring pool chemical kits include a water clarifier that clears cloudy water.  Look for one that also helps remove stain-causing metals, eliminates oil and scum lines and improves filter efficiency.  Your spring start-up kit should include enough water clarifier for several applications.       
• Water Test Strips: Spring kits also include test strips that measure chlorine, pH, and alkalinity. Test strips are the easiest way to test your pool water; simply dip them in, then match the colors on the strip to the color chart on the bottle.  Call your pool supply company with the results for guidance on how to fix any pool water issues.  If you are diligent about pool maintenance, you may not need to buy test strips beyond those included in your pool kit. 

Start-up pool kits are categorized by the size of the pool and the type and amount of the products contained in the kits.  The more products you buy, in terms of quantity and quality, the more your spring kit will cost.  In many cases, though, the cost of a higher-priced pool kit will be offset by the additional products you receive if you would have purchased the items anyway.  Be sure to compare and contrast chemical kits for pools before making your selection.  Many pool supply companies have special offers on pool kits, such as a discount price on chlorine when you purchase it with the kit, which can help you save money and obtain a much better value than purchasing each item separately. 

About the Author

Rachaelle Lynn serves as Online Marketing Manager for PoolGearPlus.com, the Internet’s #1 choice for discount swimming pool supplies, swimming pool chemicals, chlorine tablets, pool toys, pool filters, swimming pool pumps, automatic pool cleaners, pool heaters, above-ground swimming pools, pool cleaning supplies, and all other swimming pool accessories. Visit PoolGearPlus at http://www.poolgear.com/.

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