It’s time to get your pool season going: time to open the swimming pool! There are several different processes required to get the pool ready to swim, depending on how the pool was maintained through the winter.
If the pool was never covered or winterized
If the pool was never covered or winterized, and was maintained properly, very little needs to be done; a complete water analysis is needed to confirm proper water chemistry, including calcium hardness and cyanuric acid levels. Here in Alabama, after record amounts of rainfall, the water may be out of balance with everything being low. After making any needed water chemistry adjustments and a good spring cleaning, with a thorough brushing and vacuuming, the pool should be ready to go. There is more info on water chemistry and cleaning below.
If the pool has been covered and winterized
If the pool has been covered and winterized the process can vary somewhat based on what type of cover was used and how well the cover was maintained. With a solid vinyl cover or solid safety cover, the pool water is usually mostly clean and clear, with minor water chemistry adjustments required.
Remove cover and de-winterize equipment
Carefully remove the cover being sure not to allow any dirty water or debris from the top of the cover to spill into the pool. Clean the cover, let it dry thoroughly, fold it and store it away. Next, de-winterize and reconnect all the equipment (i.e. pump, filter, heater etc.) Remember to reinstall drain plugs in all equipment that has a drain plug and reconnect any return valves that were removed. Remove all winterizing plugs from the return lines and skimmers.
Raise the water level and turn equipment on
Add water to the pool until it reaches the normal level, about halfway up the tile or skimmer opening. Now it’s time to turn the equipment on, so prime the pump and get the water circulating through your filtration system.
Water analysis and chemistry
Give the pool a thorough chemical check and make any required adjustments.
- pH 7.4 – 7.6
- Total Alkalinity 80 – 120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness 200 – 400 ppm
- Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer) 20 – 50 ppm
- Free Chlorine 1.0 – 3.0 ppm
If the pool has been covered with a mesh cover, the process is the same. However, because rain water and organic matter can pass through a mesh cover, the water chemistry will often be significantly out of balance. Be sure to get all the water chemistry parameters correct. Add additional amounts of granular chlorine (shock) to oxidize organic contaminants. It may be necessary to add a dosage of water clarifier or an enzyme based water treatment for the pool to be clear and clean.
Brush and vacuum
Give the pool a thorough cleaning. Brush the walls and floor of the pool, paying extra attention to areas that may have poor circulation (around steps, ladders, etc.) Use a leaf or skimmer net to snag and debris that may be in the pool. Then give it a good vacuuming and give yourself a pat on the back. You have successfully opened your swimming pool and it is now ready to use!
Now for the worst case scenario…
You failed to cover your swimming pool. The filtration equipment wasn’t winterized. Someone turned off the pump at some point during the fall. A full season of leaves, rain, spring blossoms and pollen has accumulated in the pool leaving a green swamp in the back yard.
Hopefully this wasn’t you, but if it was check back soon to learn how to to turn that swamp back into the beautiful pool you and your family love. In the meantime, contact us or give us a call at 205-447-7239 if you are in Birmingham, AL or surrounding areas and we can take care of that for you!
We can open your swimming pool for you! Give us a call at 205-447-7239