How to Open a Pool
Many people who own a swimming pool live in areas where it can't be used all year. This means closing it down every autumn and reopening it in the spring. Opening your pool just means that you're getting it ready for another season of swimming. It's easy to do if you go through the correct process.
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Instructions
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Opening Your Pool
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1
Remove the pool cover, making sure that it is free of any leaves, sticks, dirt, or other debris. If things have collected on top of it, remove them before taking the cover off. If there is water on top of the cover, you will need to pump it off before proceeding with the removal. After taking the cover off your pool, give it a thorough cleaning and allow it to dry completely. Put it away in a safe storage area so it will be ready for use when you close the pool in the autumn.
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2
If you used freeze plugs to protect your pool over the winter, take them out. Remove anything else that you may have used to prevent the water from freezing over the winter. If the water level is low, refill it up to the correct level for pool use.
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3
Start up the pool's filtration system, taking care to prime the pump first. If you neglected to clean the filter before you shut down your pool the previous year, do a thorough cleaning before starting up the filter.
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4
Do a thorough inspection to make sure that the pool is in good shape to be used and that no dangerous conditions have developed over the winter. Look for leaks or other problems, and make sure that the deck, ladder, and rails are all solid and prepared to have people walking, climbing, and pulling on them. Large chunks of dirt or debris should be taken out of the water with a pool net. Smaller chunks of debris can be vacuumed out.
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5
Let the pool water circulate for a few hours and then test the chemistry yourself or have an employee from a pool store do it. It's often more efficient to let a professional do the testing because he can make product recommendations on the spot for any problems. Add the appropriate products as needed, and test the water again to make sure proper chemistry has been restored. When the results are good and the water is balanced, you can begin to use the pool.
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Tips & Warnings
You can make your pool opening job much easier by properly closing your pool in the fall. Do a safety inspection, prepare the water properly, take freezing prevention measures, and put the cover on correctly to prepare it for the winter hiatus.
