There’s a lot more to opening a pool than pulling off the cover and diving in. There are quite a few steps involved in the process, and they need to be done correctly and in order.
If done properly, you’ll be enjoying your pool in just a few days and it will require minimal maintenance for the entire summer. If opened incorrectly, however, your pool may require much more attention during the season.
1. Check expiration dates and replace expired chemicals.Technically, pool chemicals don’t “expire,” but they do have a shelf life. Over time, the chemicals become less and less effective. Many chemicals have a shelf life of years, so you’ll use them up before they expire. Some items, like test strips and reagents, are only good for a year or two, so you’ll want to check everything.
2. Clean and remove pool cover. If you’re determined to save as much money as possible, you can use a garden hose to siphon the standing water off your pool cover before you remove it. We suggest a pool cover pump, however.
3. Reinstall any items that you removed when you closed the pool. This includes ladders, safety ropes, rails, your diving board, and any other equipment that you removed when you closed the pool last fall. Remember to apply lube to any hardware. If you don’t, it could become an air or water leak.
4. Remove plugs and replace return outlet fittings. You should also re-install skimmer baskets and, in the case of an above-ground pool, the skimmer, return fittings, and any hoses from the skimmer and return jets to the pump and filter.
5. Refill the pool. Fill the pool to its normal water level.
6. Restore circuit breakers, switches, and time clock trippers to normal operating positions. Turn power to the pool back on. Check each system to look for leaks. Make sure the pump primes properly. Contact us if anything appears to be operating abnormally.
7. Shock the pool with liquid or granular chlorine shock product. If you choose the granular type, remember to pre-dissolve it, for colored plaster, vinyl liner and fiberglass pools.
8. Balance the water chemistry. Carefully test chlorine, PH, and alkalinity levels. Adjust chemicals to the proper levels and add algaecide.
9. Do not add salt until water temperatures are 60 degrees or higher. Always test salt levels before adding salt and only after 24 hours of circulation to help prevent from having to drain some water to lower salt levels.
10. Let the pool run for at least 24 hours and don’t get in until the water is completely clear and the chlorine level is 1-3 PPM. For the first few days, you’ll need to run the circulation system constantly until the water is clear. You’ll also want to check the chemical balance frequently until the chemicals stabilize.
This may sound like a lot of work. It is, especially if you don’t have experience with opening a pool. Lucky for you, we’re here to help. We have decades of experience with pool opening and we can have your pool up and running (not to mention healthy) in no time. Get in touch with Intermountain Aquatech today for a free consultation.
