What steps do I take to open my pool?

Wondering what the steps are to open your inground pool? Not to worry, we here at PoolContractor.com have you covered. Simply follow this handy how to guide for a stress free, no problem, pool opening that won’t take long at all. After a long hard winter, spring is finally here and temperatures are rising. The sun is shining brightly. A dip in the swimming pool sounds appealing right about now. But don’t jump in just yet! If your pool has been closed for the winter, you will need to conduct some preparation work in order to make it ready for another season of swimming. But don’t be concerned. It is simple to open an inground pool for the summer and only takes a short time to get the pool swim ready. In only a few simple steps, you’ll be having a cannonball contest in no time!

Steps to Open Your Pool #

Step 1: Remove any dirt and debris and inspect the pool equipment for wear and tear. #

Take some time before opening your pool to survey the pool equipment, pool interior and components. Overgrown trees and hedges should be pruned. Sweep away any nearby leaves using a broom. Before you open your pool for the season, inspect your deck for damage, wear, and tear and remedy any issues. Make certain to clean and repair any deck furniture before using it. Pool equipment such as hand rails, slides, safety equipment, ladders, and diving boards should also be inspected.

Step 2: Create a list of all the chemicals for your pool. #

Before you begin opening your pool, you should have all of your chemicals ready to go. Examine the expiration dates on all of your pool chemicals and replace any that have passed their expiration date. (Be sure to properly dispose of them!) Any chemicals that were not properly sealed before storage should also be replaced.

Step 3: Take Off the Cover #

Your swimming pool cover can collect water and debris during the fall and winter months. Remove the old, unclean water with a pool cover pump or a shop vac and keep it out of your swimming pool. After removing the cover, hose it off and thoroughly clean it (we recommend using a specifically formulated cleaner, such as PoolStyle Clean-N-Store), then allow it to dry.

Step 4: Examine the Pool #

It’s time to give your pool a thorough pre-opening inspection. Here are a few items you should include on your to-do list:

1. Remove the drain plugs or winterizing plugs from the surface skimmers and wall returns, and then reconnect the directed fittings.
2. Examine the filter, return lines, and pump for any damaged or worn parts and purchase a replacement.
3. If you took your underwater pool lights off, now is the time to put them back on.
4. Look for plaster chips and indentations on the deck and coping.
5. Examine your tile and remove calcium scale and stains with a tile brush and a household tile cleaner or baking soda. Use a pumice stone to remove harder stains.
6. Inspect the interior of your pool for damage and make any repairs.

Step 5: Fill the pool to the middle of the waterline tile and remove any remaining debris. #

Fill the pool with a garden hose until the water level reaches the midpoint of the waterline tile or the middle of the skimmer. After you’ve adjusted the water level, use a wall and floor brush to remove leaves, twigs, and debris from the pool’s bottom. It’s also a good time to clean your algae brush and pool vacuum. Remove any debris from the leaf basket as well.

Step 6: Start the pool filter and check the water. #

You’re nearly there! All that remains is for you to activate the filter. Before testing or adding chemicals, turn on the filter and let it run for 12 to 24 hours to mix the old and fresh water (remember to use new testing strips and not expired ones).

Don’t feel like testing the water yourself? A water sample can always be brought to a pool company for accurate analysis. Your pool specialist will provide you guidance on how to balance your pool water. They can measure the pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels of the water. They may be able to recommend that you add a stabilizer, conditioner, or algaecide to your pool before it is suitable for the warm weather, in addition to shocking it.

Continue to run the filter for a few days, sucking out any accumulated debris. Your pool is ready to swim in once the water is clear and the chlorine levels have decreased. Have fun in your pool!

How to Open Your Pool Using Chemicals #

Is this your first time opening your pool? Thank you very much! You’re about to have a summer full of fun and happiness. Before you may start swimming, take the following steps to put chemicals in your pool for the first time:

1. To begin, balance total alkalinity because it acts as an umbrella measurement that can assist safeguard pool conditions and keep chemical levels under control. Muriatic acid raises total alkalinity and baking soda or soda ash lowers total alkalinity. Aim for overall alkalinity levels of 80 to 120ppm.
2. The pH conditions must then be balanced. Soda ash or baking soda can be used to raise the pH. Muriatic acid is used to lower the pH. Aim for a pH level of 7.4 to produce a nice swimming environment.
3. The calcium hardness is then balanced. Water with a low calcium hardness may damage pool surfaces if it is too “soft.” Calcium chloride can be used to increase calcium hardness, but not in excess. Because lowering calcium levels might be challenging, keep pool calcium levels between 200–400 ppm. Calcium hardness levels in spas should be kept between 150 and 250 ppm.
4. After that, shock your pool. It is ideal to double shock your pool for pool startup, which means adding two pounds of chlorine shock for every 10,000 gallons of water. After shocking a pool, aim for a chlorine level of 10 ppm.
5. After completing this method, your pool should be ready to use. However, if you see any remaining cloudiness as a result of the shock, you can add pool water clarifier. Finally, repeat the testing with test strips. This should comfort you that you have achieved the necessary chemical levels.

Do not directly add shock to the pool water #

Avoid putting shock straight into your swimming pool, it can be dangerous to both you and your pool liner. Aside from harming your eyes and skin, the “shock granules” will sink to the bottom and bleach out the liner. Bleached areas can become brittle and fragile over time, resulting in leaks. We recommend following this key rule: “Always add chemicals to water, and never chemicals to water.” This helps minimize the possibility of any dangerous splash back that can occur. Fill the bucket with water first before adding the shock.

During the day, avoid shocking your swimming pool #

When we get down to it, shock is unstabilized chlorine. Direct sunlight is the biggest enemy to pool shock. The sun will cause shock to burn off 1 ppm per hour, diminishing the effectiveness of your chemicals and wasting your money. Shock your pool at night to allow your pool shock enough time to do its job.

Featured Photo Credit: Aqua Pro