How to open your pool for the season
Updated:
Opening a pool is mechanical first, then chemical: clean and remove the cover, reconnect and prime the equipment, top off the water, then balance the chemistry and shock. Give it a few days to clear.
Step by step
- Pump off and remove the coverPump standing water off the cover first, then remove it. Clean and dry it before storing so it lasts another season.
- Top off water and reconnect equipmentRefill to the middle of the skimmer, reinstall drain plugs, baskets, and return fittings, then prime and start the pump.
- Test and balance the waterTest everything, then bring alkalinity, pH, and calcium into range. Use the pool calculator for the exact amounts for your volume.
- Shock and check stabilizerShock to clear the winter’s organics, and check your CYA (stabilizer). Without it, sunlight burns chlorine off within hours.
- Run, brush, and clearRun the filter around the clock, brush, and re-test daily. Most pools go from cloudy to clear within a few days.
FAQ
When should I open my pool?
Open once daytime temperatures are consistently above about 70°F (21°C). Opening earlier, even while the water is cool, actually prevents algae, because algae take off once the water warms.
My pool is green after winter, now what?
That’s normal. Balance pH, then shock to your CYA’s shock level and hold it there, brushing and filtering until it clears. See the green-pool guide for the full process.
Related
Stop guessing. Get the exact fix
DoseMyPool turns your test numbers into the precise doses and the safe order to add them. Free on the App Store.
Coming soon to the App Store