Other than the summer, the most-anticipated time of the year for a Canadian swimming pool owner is the spring. This of course, is when most owners open their pools. If the pool was closed down properly for the winter it’s typically a pretty straightforward job to open it up a few months later.

Below we will give you tips on how to open your pool the right way.

1. The first thing you should do is make sure the immediate pool area is clean of debris and clutter and then clean off the cover. In fact, the pool cover should be cleaned during the winter as well if possible to keep it from being damaged. Depending on the type of pool and cover, you may need to pump or siphon off water from the cover before removing it.

2. Once the cover has been cleaned it should be removed, cleaned again and then allowed to dry to help fight mildew. Once it has dried out it can be folded and stored away for the summer in a cool, dry area.

3. All of the items that were disassembled and/or removed for the winter can now be prepared for use, such as the pool filter, pump, automatic pool cleaner, heater, ladders, deck fittings, diving board etc. Any winter plugs can now be removed and the return outlet fittings and skimmer baskets replaced. If you used antifreeze when closing the pool you can drain it from the lines straight to waste, but do so before taking out the winterizing plugs. It’s a good idea to lubricate any bolts, o-rings, screws etc. on your pool accessories to help them from rusting during the summer.

4. If the water level is too high you will need to drain some of it and if it’s too low then you will need to fill it up to the proper level. Also, if you have a DE filter this is a good time to add some new DE.

5. If the pool is dirty you’ll need to vacuum it out. However, remember that heavy dirt should be sent straight to waste as it’s being removed. It may take more than one vacuuming to clean the bottom and walls of the pool. At this time you can check for any leaks and drips in the system.

6. Once the water has been cleaned, the dirt removed and the water level corrected, you can then begin to add the necessary chemicals such as chlorine and stabilize the water. You’ll need to run the pool at this time and check the water chemistry each day. Let the pool’s filter system run continuously and backwash the filter until the water is clean and the chemical balance is right. This could take up to three days.

7. The water may need to be shocked with chlorine to raise its level in the water to 3.0 ppm. If you’re using granular chlorine make sure it’s not thrown into the pool since it could stain or bleach the liner. It’s recommended that you mix the granular chlorine with water in a pail and pour it into the pool’s skimmer when the system is operating.

8. When the water appears clear check the chlorine, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and pH levels and test the Cyanuric acid (stabilizer). If everything looks good you can then add algaecide to the pool as well as an anti-staining product to keep the metal clean. Run the pool for another 24 hours and then retest the water chemical levels. If they’re still correct, and the bottom of the pool is clean then you can start swimming. Depending on the temperature of the water, you may want to use a heater or you may have already had the heater on when running the pool after opening it.

9. In case you’ve forgotten over the winter, the total alkalinity of the pool water should be 80 to 120 ppm while the pH level should be between 7.4 and 7.6. The free available chlorine should be between 2.0 and 4.0 ppm, the calcium hardness needs to be from 200 to 400 ppm and the Cyanuric acid (stabilizer) should be between 30 and 50 ppm. Your total alkalinity should be corrected first as it will help correct the other levels.

10. If you encounter any problems when opening the pool such leaks you can tighten all of the fittings. However, if the water keeps dripping, you may need to consult the help of a pool professional. You may also need professional help if there’s sand returning to the pool and/or the water level is dropping as you could have a leak under the ground. If there’s DE in the pool then there could be a rip or crack in your DE filter. Any air bubbles coming from the return jets could mean there’s a leak in the suction line. If you come across any other problems that you can’t figure out or fix then you should also get some experienced, professional help.

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