Spring may not necessarily be exactly pool season. But for many pool owners, spring is that time of the year to go outside and open the pool.
Why Spring?
No doubt, spring is definitely warmer than winter. But in many parts of the country, the temperatures during this time of the year may not still be warm enough to make the idea of diving into your pool too inviting (unless you have a pool heater, of course).
Still, opening your pool during the spring does have its advantages.
Beat the summer heat
One of the huge benefits opening your swimming pool during the spring is that you don’t need to endure having to work under the sweltering heat of the summer sun. The temperatures during the spring are relatively cooler, making it more comfortable to work outdoors. By the time that the temperatures really skyrocket, your swimming pool will ready for you and your family to dive in and use to cool down.
Avoid potential algae problems
Algae is one of the nemeses of any pool owner. It’s unsightly, slimy, and very hard to get rid of once it starts growing in your swimming pool.
The thing is, algae doesn’t need a lot of sunlight or really hot temperatures to start growing. Algae can start growing in your swimming pool when temperatures stay at 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which is at the same temperatures that you would find during spring. Opening your swimming pool during this time of the year and treating it with algaecide will help you stop algae growth on its onset, and save you from having to deal with algae problems later on.
Longer pool season
Next to not having to work under the summer sun, this is perhaps one of the best reasons for to open you pool during the spring. Getting your pool primed up and ready for this time of the year means that you can celebrate the coming of spring and welcome the warmer temperatures with a pool party. Now, what pool owner would say “no” to that?
Huge savings on pool maintenance
Another huge benefit of opening your pool during the spring time is that many companies offer early bird specials on pool equipment, supplies, and services at huge discounted rates. At the same time, it’s when these companies release their new arrivals at special introductory prices. So not only are you able to get to save on the equipment and supplies you need to open your pool, but you are also able to have the opportunity to get your hands on new pool equipment at the lowest possible price to add or replace in your pool and pool system.
Steps to Open Your Pool
Step 1: Remove water and debris from your winter pool cover.
Using a submersible pool cover pump, remove any water that may have accumulated on top of your winter pool cover. When all the water is removed, leave this to dry completely for a day or two. Blow out the fallen leaves and other debris from the top of your winter pool cover with a leaf blower. This will make sure that you don’t risk tearing into your winter pool cover.
Step 2: Clean and store the winter pool cover.
Carefully, remove your winter pool cover from your swimming pool. Lay this on flat your lawn or any dry area. Detach the water tubes that secure your winter pool cover as well.
With a soft brush and winter pool cover cleaner or soapy water, gently scrub your winter pool cover and water tubes. Rinse them completely and allow them to dry.
Sprinkle some talcum powder on both sides of your winter pool cover and your water tubes before storing them in a heavy duty plastic container with a lid. The powder will help prevent mold and mildew from building up on your winter pool cover and tubes while the plastic container will keep the bugs and rodents from ruining them.
Step 3: Remove winter plugs and ice compensator.
Walk around your pool area and remove the winter plugs one by one and replace them with the regular drain plugs. Remove the plugs in the return jets, step jets, and the bottom of your skimmer buckets, and replace the return lines with the correct eyeball.
After this, remove the ice compensator from your skimmer buckets. Replace this with the regular skimmer baskets.
Step 4: Reinstall your pool deck equipment.
Gather up all of your pool deck equipment and accessories, including your pool ladders, diving boards, and step rails. Add a coating of lubricant on all the bolts and then carefully reinstall them onto your swimming pool. This will help make it easier to connect all the bolts together while keeping them protected from rust.
Step 5: Clean your swimming pool’s inner surface.
With the help of a leaf net attached to a telescopic pole, scoop out any debris that may have fallen in your swimming pool. Then, with a pool brush, scrub the walls and floor of your pool to loosen the dirt and muck so that they suspend in the water.
Step 6: Fill up your pool.
Water from your swimming pool can still evaporate even if it’s covered during the winter months. This can cause your pool’s water level to fall below the midway point of your pool skimmer. If you notice that this happened in your swimming pool, simply fill this up to the right level using a garden hose.
Step 7: Inspect your pool plumbing system and equipment.
Check your pool pump housing and o-rings. If there are any cracks or deformities, it would be a good idea to replace these since they could lead to problems later on. Add a lubricant on the o-rings before securing them onto your pool pump housing. The lubricant not only helps make sure that the o-rings seal properly but also easy to remove when needed.
Replace the air bleeder, sight glass, and pressure gauge of your multiport valve, if you have one. Do the same for your drain plugs and the rest of your pool equipment.
Step 8: Turn on your pool pump and filter.
Turn on your pool pump and filter. If you have a multiport valve, make sure that this is switched to the “Filter” setting.
Carefully observe your pool filter tank’s pressure gauge. If it starts going over 15psi, it means that your pool filter is dirty and may need to be back washed.
Sometimes when you open your pool, you may notice that the pool pump isn’t pulling in any water. This is very normal, and it only means that you need just to prime your pool pump.
To do this, shut down your pool pump and open the lid. Fill up the pool pump for about 2 minutes to make sure that there is enough water entering through the lines. After that, close your pool pump’s lid and turn on the pool pump again.
Step 9: Test your pool water chemistry.
When your pool water is cleaned and free of all debris and contaminants, take a sample of your pool water to your local pool supply store to have your pool water’s chemistry analyzed. Add the needed chemicals to make sure that your pool water’s pH and alkalinity levels are within the normal range.
Step 10: Shock and treat your pool water.
Shocking your pool water after opening your pool can help make sure that any bacteria, microorganisms, organic material, and other contaminants that have made their way in your pool’s water are killed, so it’s safe for swimming. Treating your pool water also with algaecide after opening can also help stop algae growth at its onset.