How To Flock Your Inground Pool In 5 Simple Steps

If you want to keep your inground pool sparkling clean and looking its best, flocking is a process you don’t want to miss. Flocking helps to clear cloudy or dull water by gathering tiny particles and making them easier to remove. In this guide, we’ll show you how to flock your inground pool in just five easy steps.

Step 1: Prepare your pool. Before you start the flocking process, it’s important to prepare your pool by cleaning it thoroughly. Skim and vacuum the pool to remove any debris, and brush the walls and floor to loosen any dirt or algae. Balance your pool’s pH levels and adjust the chlorine levels if necessary.

Step 2: Mix the flock. In this step, you’ll mix the flock with water to create a solution. The solution is then poured into the pool, causing the flock particles to stick to the tiny particles in the water and make them easier to remove.

Step 3: Apply the flock. After mixing the flock solution, it’s time to apply it to the pool. You’ll need to pour it slowly into the pool while walking around the perimeter of the pool. Be careful not to let the flock settle in any one area of the pool.

By following these simple steps, you can have your inground pool looking as good as new in no time. Keep reading to learn the remaining steps and tips on how to flock your inground pool. Don’t miss out on the chance to have a crystal-clear pool all year round!

Step 1: Prepare Your Pool

Before you can start the flocking process, you need to prepare your inground pool. The first step is to clean your pool thoroughly with a pool brush and pool vacuum. This will remove any debris and dirt that may prevent the flock from sticking to the walls of your pool. Make sure to brush and vacuum the entire pool, including the floor, walls, and corners. Don’t forget to also skim the surface of your pool with a skimmer to remove any floating debris such as leaves and bugs.

Once your pool is clean, you need to balance the pH levels of your pool water. Use a pool test kit to determine the current pH levels and adjust them accordingly. The ideal pH range for flocking is between 7.2 and 7.If your pH levels are too high or too low, the flocking process may not work effectively. It’s also recommended to lower the water level of your pool to prevent overflow during the flocking process.

Finally, you need to tape off any areas that you don’t want to be flocked. This includes any pool lights, drains, and skimmer baskets. Use duct tape or painter’s tape to cover these areas completely. This will prevent the flock from sticking to them and allow for a clean and professional-looking finish. Take your time with this step to ensure that all areas are properly taped off before moving on to the next step.

Check The Pool Chemistry Levels

Before starting the flocking process, it’s essential to check the pool chemistry levels. You need to maintain the correct levels of pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness to ensure the flocking agent works correctly.

1. Test The pH Level: The pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.If it’s not in this range, adjust it by adding either pH increaser or decreaser.
2. Check Alkalinity: Alkalinity should be between 80 to 120 ppm. If it’s low, add an alkalinity increaser. If it’s high, add muriatic acid to lower it down.
3. Calcium Hardness: The recommended range for calcium hardness is 200 to 400 ppm. If it’s low, add calcium chloride to increase the level. If it’s high, you may need to drain some water and add fresh water to lower it down.
4. Test Chlorine Levels: The chlorine level should be between 1 to 3 ppm. If it’s low, add more chlorine, and if it’s high, you may need to wait or add a chlorine neutralizer.
5. Shock The Pool: Shock the pool before starting the flocking process to eliminate any bacteria or algae present in the pool.
6. Clean The Pool: Remove any debris or dirt from the pool using a skimmer, brush, and vacuum.

Checking the pool chemistry levels is crucial because improper chemical balance can affect the flocking process’s effectiveness. It’s best to test the water chemistry levels a day before the flocking process and make the necessary adjustments to ensure a successful flocking process.

Clean The Pool Thoroughly

Before starting the flocking process, it is essential to clean your pool thoroughly. Remove any debris, such as leaves or twigs, with a skimmer net. Use a pool brush to scrub the walls and floor of your pool to remove any dirt or algae that has accumulated. Pay special attention to the waterline, which often collects oils and other contaminants.

If your pool has a sand or DE filter, it’s a good idea to backwash it before flocking. This will ensure that your filter is clean and functioning properly, which will help the flocking process go smoothly.

Make sure your pool is completely free of any cleaning chemicals, such as chlorine or algaecide, before adding the flock. Chemicals can interfere with the flocking process and prevent it from working correctly.

Step 2: Mix The Flock

The flock is a chemical compound that must be prepared carefully to ensure the best results for your pool. Here are some important steps to follow:

Read the Instructions: Before mixing the flock, carefully read the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Follow the guidelines, and never exceed the recommended dosage.

Use a Large Bucket: The flock should be mixed in a large bucket with water to make sure it dissolves correctly. A smaller bucket may cause the flock to clump, leading to uneven application.

Stir Constantly: While mixing, make sure to stir the flock constantly. This will help dissolve the flock evenly and prevent clumping.

Wear Protective Gear: When handling any pool chemicals, including flock, it is essential to wear protective gear like gloves and goggles to avoid any possible harm to your skin or eyes.

Use Clean Water: Always use clean water when mixing the flock. Dirty water can affect the flock’s performance, leading to poor results.

Measure The Flock

Before you start mixing the flock, you need to make sure you have the right amount for your pool. Use a pool flock calculator to determine the right amount of flock needed for your specific pool size.

Once you have the right amount of flock, pour it into a bucket and add water, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a mixing stick or drill to mix the flock and water thoroughly. Make sure there are no clumps left and the mixture is smooth.

Be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses while mixing the flock, as it can be irritating to the skin and eyes.

Step 3: Apply The Flock

Apply Flock In Sections: Apply the flock in sections of the pool to ensure that the flock is evenly distributed throughout the pool.

Use A Flock Dispenser: Use a flock dispenser to apply the flock to the pool. This will ensure an even distribution and prevent clumping of the flock.

Apply In The Evening: It is best to apply the flock in the evening when the pool is not in use. This will give the flock time to settle overnight.

Distribute The Flock Evenly

Use A Pool Brush: Once the flock is applied, use a pool brush to spread it around evenly. This will ensure that the flock covers every inch of your pool surface.

Wait For 30 Minutes: After brushing the flock, let it sit for about 30 minutes. This will allow the flock to settle and attach to any debris on the bottom of your pool.

Circulate The Water: After the flock has settled, turn on your pool’s filtration system to circulate the water. This will help distribute the flock throughout the pool and allow it to work effectively.

Vacuum The Pool: Finally, use a pool vacuum to remove the settled flock from the bottom of the pool. Be sure to vacuum slowly and methodically to avoid stirring up the settled flock and clouding the water.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to distribute the flock evenly and achieve a clear and sparkling pool in no time.

Step 4: Let The Flock Settle

Turn Off Your Pool Pump: After adding the flock to your pool, turn off your pool pump and allow the flock to settle to the bottom of your pool.

Wait At Least 8 Hours: Let the flock sit on the bottom of the pool for at least 8 hours to ensure that all the particles have been captured.

Keep The Pool Still: During the waiting period, it’s important to keep the pool still. No one should swim, and nothing should be stirred up that can interfere with the settling process.

Check The Flock: After the waiting period, use a pool brush to see if the flock has settled properly on the bottom of the pool. If there are still particles in the water, wait a few more hours and check again.

Turn On Your Pool Pump: Once the flock has settled properly, turn on your pool pump to start the filtration process. Let the pump run for at least 24 hours to ensure that all the particles have been removed from the pool.

Wait At Least 12 Hours

After the flock has been applied, it’s important to wait at least 12 hours before turning on any water circulation systems. This will allow the flock to settle to the bottom of the pool.

During this time, it’s also important to avoid any activities that could disrupt the flock, such as swimming or vacuuming. If the flock is disturbed during this settling period, it may not work as effectively.

If you’re applying the flock in the evening, it’s a good idea to wait until the next morning before turning on any water circulation systems. This will give the flock plenty of time to settle overnight.

Brush The Pool Walls And Floor

After waiting for at least 12 hours, it’s time to brush the walls and floor of the pool. This will help remove any remaining dirt and debris that may have settled on the surface. Use a pool brush with stiff bristles to scrub the walls and floor thoroughly.

Start at one end of the pool and work your way around, using circular motions to brush the walls and floor. Pay extra attention to any areas that are particularly dirty or stained. You may need to use a little extra elbow grease to get these areas clean.

Be sure to brush the waterline tile as well. This is the area where the water meets the tile on the wall of the pool. It can often get grimy from body oils, sunscreen, and other substances. Scrub it well to remove any buildup.

Once you’ve brushed the entire pool, use a pool vacuum to remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the floor. This will help ensure that your pool is as clean as possible.

Finally, use a skimmer net to remove any debris that may be floating on the surface of the water. This will help prevent it from settling on the bottom of the pool and making it dirty again.

Step 5: Vacuum The Flock

Vacuuming the flock is the final step to ensure your pool is clean and clear. Start by removing any large debris from the pool using a net. Once you have removed the debris, attach the vacuum head to the telescoping pole and lower it into the water.

Next, connect the vacuum hose to the vacuum head and prime it by holding the free end of the hose over the pool return until water flows freely. Then, insert the free end of the hose into the skimmer and turn on the filter pump.

Moving the vacuum head slowly and methodically across the pool floor and walls, ensure you cover every inch of the pool. Pay extra attention to areas where debris may have settled, such as around steps, ladders, and corners. Once you have completed the vacuuming, turn off the pump and remove the vacuum from the pool.

Use A Vacuum With A Fine Mesh Filter

When vacuuming the flock, it is important to use a vacuum with a fine mesh filter. This will ensure that the water is cleaned effectively and that no debris is left behind.

Make sure to vacuum slowly to give the filter time to catch all of the debris. Move the vacuum head slowly across the pool floor and walls, taking care not to miss any spots.

If you have a large pool or a lot of debris, you may need to empty the filter and clean it during the vacuuming process to ensure it remains effective.

Frequently Asked Questions