Opening your Swimming Pool for Spring

A pool properly maintained during the winter months can be prepared for a new season of swimming with a minimum of effort. In fact the re-opening process begins the moment the pool is closed and basically entails reversing the instructions for closing it but by keeping an eye on the pool over the winter, this process becomes that much easier.

1) The first thing is to get all that horrible, decaying and soggy mess off the pool cover. Depending on which type of swimming pool cover you have, this is best accomplished by the use of a cover submersible pump especially if you have a hard type slatted cover or a PVC safety cover where excess rain water has gathered throughout the Autumn/Winter. Alternatively if you have left your solar bubble pool cover on since the summer or you have utilized a winter debris pool cover you may want to try and sweep the leaves off to the side and gather them up by hand.

2) Once you have successfully cleaned off all of the debris from the pool cover you will need to remove it from the pool. If the pool water was in good condition at the end of last season, correct cover removal will ensure that your pool opens relatively clear. Some dirty water will always manage to get in – don’t worry about it.  You will be adding shock to the water and filtering it soon, so a little dirty water will not hurt anyone!

3) If applicable lay out pool cover and sweep or brush off any remaining debris.  If you do not store your cover indoors, and you keep it outside or in a shed, then you do not have to worry about getting the cover particularly spotlessly clean.   If you do keep it in the garage or basement, you may want to clean it to a greater extent.

4) If you have used plugs on any of the openings of the pipework or filtration system, it is at this point when you need to remove these.

5) Using a leaf net, remove as much rubbish and debris from the pool water as possible and clean any tide marks on the pool walls using Fi-Clor Tile & Liner Cleaner.

6) Re-attach any deck equipment you have such as swimming pool ladders, handrails, diving boards, etc. remembering to lubricate all bolts. This will prevent them from rusting over the summer.  Remember, you are probably the one who will be closing the pool, so you want the bolts to come off easy at closing time!

7) Re-install the skimmer baskets and any return eyeball fittings.  If you have an above ground pool, you may have to re-attach the actual skimmer and return fittings onto the pool itself.

8 ) If you disconnected your filtration system in the Autumn you now need to reinstall the swimming pool pump, pool filter and any other additional equipment you might have (booster pumps, spa equipment, waterfall circulation pumps, swimming pool heater, etc.).

9) If necessary, top up the water level so that it can be drawn in through the skimmer. Turn on the power to the pool system. You may have to turn on the circuit breaker from the house. Start and check system. Check for any leaks or drips and make sure any grounding straps or wires are properly connected to the pump and any other components that need them. Make sure that the pump primes properly and check that the filter, skimmers and drains are all working. Do not be too concerned if the water from the circulation is discoloured initially. If the water level was too high because of rain over winter, pump to waste.

10) Run the filter for several hours, vacuuming out any remaining debris. Once this has been done backwash the filter for approximately 5-10 minutes and top up with fresh water. This should make sure the sand has been cleaned. If you have a cartridge filter you may want to rinse the media through with clean water.

11) Prepare the heat retention pool cover or solar bubble pool cover for use, cleaning off any patches of algae or mould.

12) Check the pH and get it as near as possible to 7.2. If you have a low pH reading you will need to dose with pH Increaser or if it is high you will need to dose pH Reducer. Ensuring that your water balance is correct is an important part of an effective pool open.

13) You will now need shock dose the pool with any chlorine shock product. This is available in liquid or granular form. The most effective products are Multi-Functional Shock Granules or Liquid Shock Chlorine 10ltr.  If you use a granular shock do not throw it directly into the pool! You could bleach and stain the liner as the granules may not dissolve that easily. Nevertheless it is best to mix any granular shock chlorine in a bucket of warm water and then add that mixture into the pool while the system is running. The process of shock dosing will kill any algae and harmful organisms that may be present. Allow the water to circulate for 12-24 hours to ensure thorough mixing.

14) Once the shock treatment has taken effect it may be necessary to vacuum the dead algae that may be left on the pool floor. Alternatively if you have a green pool you may wish to contact us to discuss further treatment.

15) In order to protect your pool from algae over the coming months you will need to add a longlife algicide to the water. We generally suggest Kleenpool Longlife Algicide or Fi-Clor Multi-Functional Algicide. This will give your pool water protection from algae and fungi following the winter shut-down. In addition you may wish to add Fi-Clor Stain & Scale Inhibitor. This can help prevent the formation of scale and staining from dissolved minerals so as to keep the water and pool surfaces in good order.

16) Finally if your pool water is now clear and your system is successfully running with no problems you may want to test your water for pH, alkalinity and chlorine. Adjust these levels where necessary and once these are all ok you are ready for the season.

If you have problems or would like to discuss any aspect of the pool opening procedure please telephone us on 01895-672515.

Fingers crossed for a delightful Spring/Summer!