The weather’s getting warmer, and the sun’s setting later… sounds like pool season is finally here! If you’re thinking of opening your pool yourself, then follow the steps below.
When should you open your pool?
One of the things to consider before opening your pool is the weather. It’s important to do so at the right time, because if it’s still too cold, your pool might incur damage. If it’s too hot, however, then your pool will end up being much harder to clean because bacteria will grow faster. Generally, it is better to do it when it’s colder rather than hot. The ideal is to do so when all the snow melts, and it’s clear that it won’t snow again. This usually occurs mid-April for Montreal weather.
Step 1: Make sure you have all the right equipment
After determining the date in which you wish to open your pool, you should make sure that you have all of the materials to do so. After all, you don’t want to be in the midst of your pool opening only to find out that you’re missing something crucial. Some of these materials and equipment include things like:
- Water chemistry testing kit
- Pool chemicals like chlorine, shock treatment, muriatic acid, algaecide, etc.
- Cleaning equipment (vacuum, cleaning brushes, hand skimmer, etc,)
Step 2: Remove the cover
Once you’ve taken inventory of all of your equipment and cleaning supplies, the next thing to do is to remove your pool cover (if you’ve used one). It’s likely that your pool cover accumulated a lot of water and debris — these are things that you’re going to have to remove with your pool pump and a soft broom in order to ensure that it won’t go into your pool. Afterwards, just clean your pool cover and store it safely indoors so that you can use it when it’s time to close your pool.
Step 3: Inspect the pool
After removing your pool cover, it’s time for you to inspect your pool for any leaks and damages. Check to see if anything seems broken. Inspect the pump, filter, your hoses, your valves, your skimmer, and your pressure gauge. If something doesn’t seem to be working as it should be, repair or replace them. Failing to do so might cause more harm to your wallet than good. Don’t forget to check your pool equipment (like your vacuum) for wear and tear. This is also a good time to remove your drain plugs.
If you own a fibreglass pool, it’s important to check for hairline cracks. Keep in mind that hairline cracks are actually completely normal, however if you possess large cracks or holes, then you should contact a pool professional as soon as you can.
Step 4: Fill the pool
Once you’ve finished your inspection and repaired/replaced all of your damaged equipment, it’s finally time to fill the pool. Use a garden hose and fill it up until the water reaches the middle of the skimmer opening. You don’t want it to be any lower, because you might be damaging your skimmer. You also don’t want it to reach half of your skimmer’s opening because a water level that is too high might prevent debris from being pulled into your skimmer — so you’ll have much more maintenance to do.
Step 5: Turn on the pump and filter and test!
It’s time to get things moving! Set up your pump and filter, and make sure you have the filter running for at least 12 hours in order to have the water circulating and turning over. Once you’ve done that, you can start testing the water with your test strips and making adjustments. If you’ve successfully turned everything on, but aren’t sure how to properly balance the water, find pool water balance guides online or contact a pool professional.
If it’s your first time opening your pool by yourself, we suggest contacting pool experts to have you go through a training session. That way, you’ll be sure to do everything right, and you’ll be able to do it all by yourself for years to come. You can even hire your pool expert to do your weekly cleanings for you if you find that you don’t have enough time on your hands. Your pool expert will make sure that your waters are clear, safe, and the nicest in the neighbourhood!
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