Opening a pool
Follow these steps for a great start to the swimming season!
1. Remove any water and debris that have accumulated on the cover over the winter.
Note: Special submersible cover pumps are manufactured for this purpose.
2. If using water bags to hold the cover in place, drain the water bags along three sides of the pool. Keep filled water bags in place along one edge of the pool. Carefully remove the cover by pulling it toward the side with the filled water bags.
Note: This is easier to accomplish with two people, one at each corner.
3. The cover and the water bags should be cleaned with a hose and long-handled brush to remove all loose debris and slime. Once brushed and hosed clean, the cover and water bags should be allowed to dry before they are folded for summer storage.
Note: Be careful not to leave the cover on the grass too long, particularly if it is hot and sunny, because it can burn the grass.
4. Remove all winter plugs from the suction and return lines and from the filter components.
5. Carefully reconnect the pool pump and filter, and any hoses, chemical feeders, or other filter components that were disconnected for the winter.
Note: If filter equipment was not properly cleaned during the winterizing step, it should be cleaned before reconnecting. Media filters, like diatomaceous earth (DE), will have to be "re-charged" with fresh media at start-up.
6. Fill the pool to the proper level. The recommended water level is usually to the middle of the skimmer opening.
7. Once the pool is filled, turn on the filter pump to circulate and filter the water.
8. If the water is clear and the bottom is sharply defined, vacuum the pool. Where permitted, vacuum to waste to avoid adding a large amount of dirt into your clean filter.
Note: Vacuuming to waste will lower the water level.
9. Add start-up chemicals and balance the pool water according to the guidelines below.