With the ever-increasing summer temperature, it’s time to feel the luxury of having a swimming pool at home. As the weather gets hotter, swimming pool owners need to open their pools to enjoy the sparkling swim season. To achieve that, you must first know how to open a pool properly.
In this guide, we will show you how to prepare your pool by:
The primary step of pool opening involves removing the pool cover correctly. But before you remove the cover, you need to remove debris and dirty water from it.
Cleaning the pool cover with excessive debris can be tricky, so you must remove it first. Use a leaf blower and a soft-bristled broom to clean out loose debris. You can also use a pool cleaning pump to remove water from the cover.
Afterward, wash the pool cover well with a suitable cleaner, like car wash soap. Let it dry before folding it for storage. Roll the pool cover and store it in a sealed container. This prevents insects from nesting in the pool cover during the summer season.
Reconnecting Pool Equipment
After you are done storing the pool cover, it’s time to head to the pool equipment and reconnect them. Properly opening a pool involves ensuring that the pump, filter, and heater are in working order.
Position the pool pump at its designated spot and attach the intake and outtake to control the water flow.
Then attach the hose to the water filter and from the water filter to the swimming pool. Next, connect the water hose from the filter to the heater. Make sure all the electrical wires are secure and properly attached.
Make sure to have a detailed look at the plumbing and check for any visual damage to the equipment. You should properly address any visible damage before pumping water into the pool.
Removing Winterizing Plugs Before Opening Your Pool
Winterizing plugs are installed in the plumbing line to prevent water from entering or freezing during the winter season. So, you need to remove the winterizing plugs and accessories before pumping water into the pool. This is a critical step in pool opening for the summer.
Have a look at the following steps to perform this procedure correctly:
Step 1: Use appropriate tools to unscrew the winterizing plugs. Apply gentle pressure in case of any resistance while removing the plugs.
Step 2: Check the plug holes for any debris and clean them.
Step 3: Reinstall the skimmer baskets once the skimmer housing is clean. Place the skimmer basket into the housing and ensure it fits properly.
Step 4: Put the running skimmer baskets in place. Then, reinstall the jet fittings after checking that the return jet is clear of debris.
Step 5: Tighten the return jet fittings to stop any water leaks. Adjust the return jet nozzle to set the water flow direction.
Filling and Cleaning the Pool for a Smooth Pool Opening
After connecting all the equipment, you are good to pump water into the pool. To open your pool correctly, add water to the appropriate level before removing debris and brushing the pool walls. The appropriate water level is halfway up the skimmer opening.
Before fully opening your pool, use a pool net to remove floating debris from the surface. Brush the pool floor and walls to loosen any residue. Next, check the filtration system to make sure it is working properly. Use a pool vacuum to remove dirt and sediment.
For the ultimate pool opening experience, rely on the Scuba S1 Pro Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner. It’s known for its effective horizontal waterline cleaning capabilities. This advanced device excels in waterline cleaning, effectively removing oil, limescale, and algae from your pool’s waterline.
The Scuba S1 Pro has five cleaning modes: Auto, Eco, Waterline, Floor-only, and Wall-only. This makes it a great all-in-one solution. It keeps every part of your pool clean as you get ready for swimming season.
Balancing Water Chemistry for Pool Opening
Balancing water chemistry for pool opening is one of the most important prerequisites to follow for pool opening. It is vital to use the right pool opening chemicals to ensure optimum pH levels.
Use the appropriate testing kit to measure the pH level, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. The appropriate pH level of pool water lies between 7.2 and 7.6.
Maintaining the pH level is simple; in case of a lower pH level, add a pH increaser. Whereas to decrease the pH level, add a pH decreaser.
The ideal total alkalinity range is 80 to 120 ppm. If alkalinity is high, add muriatic acid gradually while monitoring the levels. In case of a lower alkalinity, add an alkalinity increaser (sodium bicarbonate) as per instructions.
The ideal range for calcium hardness is 200 to 400 ppm. High calcium hardness is difficult to lower without diluting the pool water by partially draining and refilling the pool. But if calcium hardness is low, add a calcium hardness increaser (calcium chloride) following the recommended dosage.
You should also follow the shock treatment to eliminate bacteria from the pool water. Some good shock products available are calcium hypochlorite, sodium dichlor, and non-chlorine shock products.
Apply the shock treatment by evenly spreading the chemicals across the pool perimeter. Make sure to use safety goggles and gloves and keep the pool pump running to circulate the chemicals. Allow the chemicals to work overnight before retesting the water.
Starting the Pool Pump and Filter System
That’s it, you’re almost there. Check the water level and open the valves to allow water to enter the filter system. Open the lid on the pool pump basket and fill it with water.
Afterwards, turn on the pump and allow the water to circulate. The process will also mix the chemicals into the water evenly and assist in balancing the water chemistry. You should keep the system running for at least 24 hours.
Inspecting for Leaks and Issues After Opening Your Pool
While the system is running, inspect all equipment and check for any leaks or issues. In case you spot any issues, they should be addressed immediately.
If you’re opening your pool for the season, minor leaks can often be fixed on your own. However, if the problem is significant, it’s best to call pool maintenance experts for repairs.
Final Touches: Accessories and Regular Maintenance
So far, the major part of pool opening is done. Now, all you have to do is attach the ladders, diving boards, and other pool accessories that will take your swimming experience to the next level. Congrats! Your pool is ready to use.
No doubt you perform a thorough and hectic job of pool opening at the start of the season. But pool maintenance is a routine task that ensures that the pool is clean and ready to use all the time.
Some routine tips to follow are checking the pH level of the water and clearing debris from the water. The Scuba S1 Pro pool cleaner assists you a lot in this process. All you need to do is set up the equipment and allow the machine to perform the automated pool cleaning job.
Wrapping Up on How to Open Your Pool
Effective pool maintenance is a rewarding job that gives your pool an eye-catching appearance. You forget all the hectic tasks of pool maintenance as soon as you dive into the sparkling water and lower your body temperature during hot summers. We recommend exploring our range of pool maintenance products to make your pool pristine.
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