How to Open Your Swimming Pool

03 Apr How to Open Your Swimming Pool

It’s that time of year! The birds are chirping; the sun is out; the flowers are blooming. And, the weather is starting to warm up enough to open your swimming pool for sun and fun. But, sometimes opening your swimming pool ends up being time consuming and expensive. Many pool owners just wing it and do the best that they can when it’s time to get their pools ready for swimming. We’d like to help you with step-by-step directions so that you don’t miss an important step in the process. Here are the simple steps to take to open your swimming pool for sun, fun, and happy times:

Step #1: Inspect Key Pool Components

Before you do anything else, inspect your filter and pump for any damaged or worn parts.

Step #2: Check Your Filter

Clean filters are critical for pool health. Be certain to check your filter and change or clean if needed.

Step #3: Add Water

Adequate water is a requirement for your pool equipment to run smoothly. Fill up your swimming pool to raise the water level to 2/3 up the skimmer.

Step #4: Equip Your Pool

There’s no substitution for preparation. Purchase new parts, chemicals, and supplies that you’ll need for the season.

Step #5: Remove All Winter Plugs

Remove winter plugs by loosening the wing-nuts and then pulling out plugs.The plugs are located in the return ports on the sides of the pool usually about 2 feet (0.6 m) below the skimmers. Also check for plugs in the skimmer ports.

Step #6: Add Eyeball Jets to Return Ports

Install eyeball jets in return ports in the sides of the pool where you removed the plugs. Adjust jets to point toward the surface of the water to slightly disturb the water surface.

Step #7: Install Plugs

Install plugs in the bottom of filter, pump, and basket. Plugs are usually stored in the basket over winter.

Step #8: Add Necessary Items

Install air bleed valve and back out a few turns.

Step #9: Open All Valves

Open valves that were installed in previous steps.

 

Step #10: Add Water

Step #11: Remove Waste

Set the valve to waste. If a plastic hose is available, install on waste port with hose, clamp, and route hose to yard. (A large volume of water will exit the hose when the pump is turned on.)

Step #12: Turn on Pool Pump

Water will spray out of air bleed valve. Leave valve open until air is removed – approximately 3 minutes.

Step #13: Turn Pool Pump Off

As mentioned in Step #14, you should run the pump for 3 minutes and then turn it off.

Step #14: Set Valve to Filter

Step #15: Restart Pump

Step #16: Run Filter for 24 Hours

Run filter continuously for 24 hours, back-washing as needed (backwash or clean the filter each time the pressure rises 10 psi) to keep filter media clean.

Clean debris from bottom of pool with leaf bag.

Shock your pool and scrub the pool walls.

Turn the pump off to allow dead algae to settle overnight. Vacuum the algae the next day and begin filtering again.

Repeat steps 17 – 20 until water clears.

Adjust chlorine levels to maintain 1.0-2.0ppm and pH to 7.2-7.6.

Add algaecide and monitor pool every week for chlorine use, pH and clarity. Adjust filtering times as you may only need to filter 6-10 hours a day for the rest of the summer.