Just like you have to winterize and close your pool ahead of the colder months, it’s equally important that you follow the right steps to open it back up again, so it’s ready for the hot and sunny weather to come!
When Should You Open Your Inground Pool?
The exact time of year depends on regional weather conditions but think about opening in mid-March if it’s been a mild winter or April if it’s been colder. You want to give your pool time to adjust before the weather gets drastically warmer. If you wait too long to open your pool, higher temperatures can create a breeding ground for algae and allow pollen to collect in the water.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Opening Your Inground Pool
Before getting started with the pool opening process, it’s helpful to have all the tools and equipment you’ll need easily accessible. Tools and equipment include things like:
- Pool Brush
- Pool Net
- Pool Skimmer
- Pool Vacuum with Pole
- Algaecide
- pH Regulator
- Plumber’s Tape
- Plumbing Thread Sealant
- Lubricant
- Pool Sanitizer (Chlorine, Salt, or Bromine)
1. Clear and Remove Your Pool Cover
Your first step is to clear the debris lying on top of your cover and then remove the cover itself.
Use a pump to remove standing water. (Small, electric pool pumps that hook up to your garden hose are perfect for the job!)
Next, you’ll need to release the cover straps. Most inground pools are outfitted with straps that hook to anchors. Here’s a tip: when removing the clips, leave the last couple of anchors at one end of the pool so it won’t float away, making it harder to gather up.
Leave the cover somewhere it can dry thoroughly, then take the opportunity to clean it with cover cleaner or car wash soap. Use a soft broom to scrub away any dirt and debris. When you’re done, fold it up and store it indoors.
2. Skim the Pool
Use a pool skimmer to scoop up any items that fell below the cover over the winter. Look for large pieces of debris that could clog your filtration system. Remember, this process is just to get the bigger items out. You’ll perform a more thorough cleaning later.
3. Inspect and Assemble Pool Equipment
This is your chance to closely inspect all your equipment and small parts. Do any of them need repairing, or is there equipment that could use a good scrub? Don’t forget to include equipment like ladders, diving boards, or step rails in the inspection process.
If you’re concerned about missing something important, you can contact an expert to help take care of all your equipment. This way, you won’t have to worry about misplacing or damaging your equipment!
At this point, it’s time to reassemble the filter system and attach any other equipment disassembled during the winterizing process. Reconnecting the filtration system includes hooking up all the lines, hoses, and plugs. You’ll also need to install your sight glass and pressure gauge.
Applying lubricant to all your gaskets is a highly effective way to keep them cracking. You can also use pipe sealant or plumber’s tape to stop any leaks.
4. Refill the Pool
Whether or not you drained your pool ahead of the winter season, you’ll likely need to add water. While pool covers do help trap moisture, you may need to top off those last one or two inches. Ultimately water should be level with the middle of the skimmer opening.
The good news is that you don’t need anything fancier than a garden hose to fill the pool with water!
5. Run Your Filter and Pump
Turn on your filter and let it run for a minimum of 12 hours to circulate the water before you test and add chemicals.
Your filter is essential to your pool’s ecosystem and is key to proper pool maintenance. It’s one part of the circulatory system that catches debris and keeps your water crystal clear.
Your pump is another part of your pool system that pulls water from the pool and pushes it into other equipment so it can be cleaned, heated, and treated. A fully functional pool pump will return cleaner, warmer pool water.
6. Check the Water Chemistry
Once you’ve cleaned and refilled your pool, use a water test kit to calculate the current ratio. You’ll be measuring things like pH levels, free chlorine, and total chlorine. Once you have this information, you can then determine the optimal amount of shock to prepare.
7. Shock Your Pool
To get to the proper chemical level, you’ll need to shock the pool. This is a process in which you use chemicals to raise the free chlorine level to about ten times higher than the number of chloramines. This will eliminate the accumulation of chloramines and reduce the strong chlorine smell.
There are even handy pool shock calculators available to help you with this process.
You can also use algaecide to kill lingering algae. You want to keep those levels at or near zero because significant amounts can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that feed on algae.
8. Vacuum Your Pool
At this point, you’ll want to vacuum your pool to get rid of any and all smaller debris that didn’t get cleared out earlier. Vacuuming your pool regularly not only keeps it looking great but also helps prevent or remove algae and can help keep the water balanced. There are even robotic pool cleaners available on the market, making this task even easier.
Calling In The Experts
Proper pool opening, closing, and regular maintenance are key to having the pool of your dreams. Some of the opening and closing steps may seem daunting, and many times pool owners just don’t have time to do everything themselves. Spartan Pool & Patio is ready to help! Just one of our many services includes opening and closing pools. We’d love to talk with you today!
