Hey pool owners, it doesn’t matter if we are heading into a third wave or a tenth, you’ll be making your own waves soon. The time for opening your pool is upon us and we have the following pool opening tips to help you make it happen.
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Remove the Pool Cover
The goal when opening your swimming pool is to end up with clean, clear pool water. You’ll be able to reach that goal a lot easier if you take more care when removing your pool cover. There will be dirty water and debris on the cover and the less of it that gets into your pool, the easier it will be to keep your pool clean.
Try this to make that happen. Drain the water from the pool cover first. You may need a pool cover pump to make sure none of the water gets into the pool. Then leave the remaining debris to dry for a few days. That will make it easier to remove later, with less risk of it getting into the pool.-
Set-Up Your Pool Equipment
Take the plugs from all the inlets and outlets. Clean and replace the skimmer baskets and drains. Check and clean all your pool equipment, including the filter, pump and heater.
Finally, inspect and clean all your accessories, including diving boards and ladders. Use silicone lubricant to lubricate the mounting hardware, including bolts, screws and o-rings, to prevent rust later on.-
Raise the Water Level, Prep and Run Your Pool
Using your garden hose, add water to the pool until it reaches the correct level, which is about halfway up the skimmer.
Replace the drain plugs and the pressure gauge for the pump and filter. Prime the pump, open all the valves and make sure there is no air in the plumbing. Turn the system on. Take some time to make sure everything is running smoothly, and that there are no leaks or damaged parts.-
Clean, Balance Pool Chemistry & Shock Your Pool
Clean out any debris remaining in the pool. Let the system run for 12 hours to make sure the new water you added is properly circulated. Use your testing kit to check and adjust the water for total alkalinity, pH and calcium. Use the pool vacuum to clean the pool walls and floor and run the filtration system for 12 hours.
When you’re ready to shock the pool, it's a good idea to do a double shock as it’s the first one of the season. It’ll make your regular pool maintenance easier later on too. Run the filter for two hours.
Finally, add algaecide to the water and run the filter for a full 24 hours.That’s it! You’re ready to jump in!
To learn more about opening your pool, check out our post “When Is The Best Time To Open Your Pool In Ontario?”.