The time has finally arrived. The sun is out and warmer weather is approaching, it’s time to open up your pool again. If you have closed your pool down for the last few months, you will be extremely excited to get back in your pool and soak up the rays.
Before you invite your friends over for a refreshing dip, there are a few things you should do to make sure that your pool is ready for another season of splashing and fun. Whether your pool is inground or above ground, you should make sure that your equipment is all plugged in and ready to go and add some chemicals to get your water back in great shape!
If you closed your pool down for the season, odds are you put a cover on it. Make sure that water did not accumulate on top of your cover during the season. If you have a sump pump, be sure to disconnect it (after pumping any excess water). You can also use this time to clear your cover of any debris or leaves that have collected on top of the cover with a brush or even a leaf blower. You should clean the cover before you store it.
Roll or fold the cover off of the pool carefully to make sure that you can store it easily for the next season. Do not drag the cover so as not to rip or tear it. Screw down any anchors so that they are flush with the deck and no one trips over them. If you have a fence or other barrier, make sure that the gate is locked to ensure no children get into the pool area now that your pool is uncovered.
Make sure to remove any plugs from the return lines. This will make sure that you do not run your pump when it is dry and overheat it. Remove plugs from your skimmer lines as well, and replace the baskets. Make sure your store the plugs in a safe and dry place for the next season. Replace the drain plugs from the pump and filter as well as any heaters or chlorinators. Reconnect any aerators you may have disconnected, and replace the pressure gauge if you removed it.
This is a great time to check your O-rings and lubricate them as well. If your pool has lost any water, fill it with a hose until it reaches midway on the skimmer.
You are going to want to get your pump running to clear out any debris that may have accumulated if you used a mesh cover. Odds are you will have to prime to pump with a garden hose to start the flow of water. This is an important step, do not run your pump dry or you will burn out the motor. Make sure to turn your multiport valve to filter.
This is also the point where you will brush the walls and steps and skim the surface of your pool to help with the debris removal. Then, you can reinstall any rails or ladders that you removed before putting the cover on.
Take a water sample to your local Pinch A Penny store or use the Pinch A Penny Mobile App to test your water at home. This way you can get a full analysis of your pool’s water chemistry and get direction on how to bring it back in to balance (you’re going to need shock!). The experts at Pinch A Penny will give you the best advice on balancing chemicals to return your pool to the ideal ranges. Our convenient Pour & Go packages make balancing your pool a breeze.
This is also a great time to add some Natural Pool Enzyme to clear any organic contaminants that may have made their way into the pool during the offseason. This product cleans up all kinds of non-living organic contaminants and cleans up cloudy and dirty pool water. A water clarifier is also a great product to help speed up the process of returning to crystal-clear water.
If you have any questions, stop by your local Pinch A Penny. The experts there are always willing to help.
