How to Open Your Swimming Pool for Spring

The birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and the weather is getting warm. Spring is coming, and that means it time to open the pool back up. Here's a step-by-step guide to make sure your pool opening goes smoothly.

At a Glance

8

Steps

45
minute(s)
Easy

Difficulty

Step-by-Step

Step
1

Clean off the cover

The first step in opening your pool remove any debris from your pool cover. For solid covers, you can use a broom to push off debris. For mesh covers, you can use a skimmer net for large debris on the surface.

Step
2

Remove the cover

Carefully remove your pool cover, avoiding dropping as much residual debris back into the pool, and place it in a clean dry area for storage.

Step
3

Skim the pool

Using your skimmer net, remove any debris that may have fallen into the water during the removal of the pool cover.

Step
4

Remove Plugs

Remove any expansion plugs from inlets/outlets that were installed during the previous pool closing.

Step
5

Reinstall Fittings

Reinstall all of the pool’s fittings that were removed during closing, such as wall fittings, solar blankets, skimmer baskets, cleaners and lights. Pool accessories should be reinstalled as well, including the ladder and diving board.

Step
6

Raise Water Level

Fill the pool – raising the water line to the proper level.

Step
7

Setup Filtration System

Reinstall any drain plugs, and set the valves for recirculation.

Step
8

Balance Water

Using your preferred test kit, check water balancing and adjust as needed.

Step
9

Add a Preventative Algaecide (optional)

To keep the water clean as the weather becomes warmer, use a preventative algaecide like No Mor Problems to keep algae from growing.

What You’ll Need

  • Skimmer Net
  • Pool Brush
  • Test Kit of your choice
  • Pool Balancers (for pH and Alkalinity)
  • Pool Shock of your choice
  • Swamp Treat (if there’s algae)
  • No Mor Problems (for algae prevention)

Extra Tips

  • Clean off the cover before removing it
  • For solid covers with standing water on top, use the provided cover pump to remove standing water on top of the cover.
  • Avoid storing covers on the floor in the garage or outdoors. Otherwise, your cover may become damaged by weather or rodents nesting in it – ruining it by the time winter comes around again.
  • Double-check that the expansion plugs have been removed
  • Double-check that drain plugs in equipment have been reinstalled
  • Bubbling from pipes as water re-enters is normal.
  • Your water level should be approximately half way up the tile and/or half way of your skimmer inlet.
  • We recommend balancing according to the Hamilton Index™.
  • If the pool has developed algae due to opening late or other issues, we recommend using Swamp Treat™ and shocking to get the pool clear.

Still need help?

Still have questions? Need an expert’s advice? Visit our support center for additional documentation and to open a ticket with a Pool Technician.

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