Everything You Need to Know to Open Your Pool

The return of warm weather marks the long-awaited moment to reopen your pool! A proper opening ensures you can quickly enjoy clean, balanced water. However, the opening steps vary slightly depending on whether your pool is inground or above ground.

Preparing for Opening: The First Steps Common to All Pools

Whether your pool is inground or above ground, some common steps are essential to start the season off right.

• Remove the cover: If you used a winter cover, take it off carefully to prevent debris from falling into the water. Clean it and let it dry before storing it.
• Inspect the pool: Check the liner or pool surface for any cracks or damage. Make sure the outer structure shows no signs of wear or damage.
• Clean the water and surfaces: Use a skimmer to remove floating leaves and debris, then brush the walls and floor to get rid of any residue that built up over the winter.
• Check the equipment: Make sure the pump, filter, skimmer and return jets are in good condition before restarting the system.
• Fill the pool: Top up the water level to about three-quarters of the skimmer if needed before turning on the filtration system.

Inground Pool: Start-Up and Water Treatment

Opening an inground pool involves several steps:

1. Installing Pool Fittings and Equipment

• Remove the plugs from the return jets and screw the fittings back in.
• Reinstall the inner ring and return jet eyeball.
• Put the skimmer baskets back in place and check the condition of the filters.
• If your pool is equipped with a lighting system, reinstall the components according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Preparing and Connecting the Equipment

• Pump and filter: Screw in the pump’s drain plugs and make sure all connections are tightly secured.
• Filter: Screw the drain plug back in and ensure the unions are properly sealed. Apply Teflon tape to the pressure gauge before reinstalling it.
• Heater (if applicable): Check the heater connections and make sure it is properly connected to the filtration system. Before turning it on, wait until the water is circulating properly and is clean.
• Salt system: Reconnect the cell and leave the control panel turned off until the water is clean and balanced.

3. Start-Up and Water Treatment

• Start the pump, making sure the water is circulating properly through the system.
• Test and adjust the pH (ideally between 7.2 and 7.6), alkalinity, and hardness.
• Apply a shock treatment to eliminate bacteria and prevent cloudy water.
• Add an algaecide to prevent algae growth from the start of the season.

Above Ground Pool: Specific Steps to Follow

Opening an above ground pool follows a similar process, with a few specific differences:

1. Installing Pool Fittings and Equipment

• Remove the winter plugs from the return jets and screw the fittings back in.
• Reinstall the inner ring and the return jet eyeball.
• Put the skimmer flap and basket back in place.
• If your return jet includes a light, reconnect the light and make sure the breaker is off before plugging in the power cord.

2. Connecting the Plumbing and Equipment

• Pump: Install the pump and screw in the drain plugs. Connect the hoses, making sure to lubricate the seals properly to prevent leaks.
• Filter: Put the inspection cover back in place, screw in the drain plug, and make sure all connections are secure.
• Heater (if applicable): Reconnect the heater and ensure it’s properly hooked up to the filtration system. Before turning it on, wait until the filtration is running normally and the water is clean.
• Salt system: Reinstall the cell and keep the control panel turned off until the water is balanced.

3. Start-Up and Water Treatment

• Fill the pool up to three-quarters of the skimmer.
• Test and adjust the water’s chemical levels.
• Add a shock treatment and use an opening kit to ensure clean, balanced water.

Essential Products for Crystal-Clear Water from the Start

To ensure an easy and effective pool opening, make sure to use the right products:

Shock treatment: Eliminates bacteria and impurities that have built up over the winter.

Pool opening solution: Made up of several essential products, it simplifies the start of the season.

pH balancers: Help stabilize the water to prevent it from becoming cloudy or corrosive.

Regular Maintenance for a Trouble-Free Pool Season

Once your pool is open, follow a regular maintenance routine to keep the water clear all summer long:

• Test the water weekly and adjust the chemical levels as needed.
• Clean the walls and floor regularly with a brush or a robotic cleaner.
• Monitor the filter and backwash when necessary.
• Add a preventive algaecide to stop algae from growing.

Opening your pool is a key step to ensure clean water and an enjoyable swimming experience all season long. By following these tips and using the right products, you’ll guarantee a smooth start-up and perfectly balanced water.

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