How to Open your Inground Pool: 13 Easy Steps
Written by: AG Pool Masters
Ah, the sweet arrival of pool season! The sun's radiant, the temperatures are soaring, and the siren call of a refreshing swim is almost impossible to resist. But hold on a second—there you are, on the patio, eyeing a pool cover that's seen better days, contemplating the potential chaos beneath it. Opening the pool, it sounds like a Herculean task, doesn't it? Fear not! Grab a pal, a few essentials, and let's turn this chore into a splash-worthy spectacle.
Getting Ready to Rock Your Pool Opening
Before the grand unveiling, make sure your poolside arsenal is ready for action. Some items are already in your toolkit, like the trusty garden hose, but others may require a quick shopping spree—most notably, some snazzy safety gear.
Every year, a horde of pool enthusiasts lands in the ER, victim to chemical mishaps. The main culprit? Lack of protective gear. So, as you stock up on supplies, don't skimp on safety gear. It's not just a fashion statement; it's your ticket to a chemical-free adventure.
You'll need:
- Pool cover pump
- Soft broom
- Winter cover cleaner or car wash soap
- Start-up chemical kit
- Pool gasket lubricant
- Thread seal tape
- Skimmer on a telescoping pole
- Garden hose
- Pool brush
- Safety goggles
- Chemical-resistant gloves
- Pool shock
- Test strips
- A trusty sidekick
- Launching the Pool Party: 13 Steps to Unleash Your Oasis
Step 1: Clear the Cover Chaos
Use the soft broom to sweep away the remnants of winter—those leaves and debris clinging to your trusty pool cover. Deploy the pool cover pump to banish standing water. Remember, know your pump's limits, and don't let it be overworked.
Step 2: Choreography for Cover Removal
Time to tango with your pool cover, and an extra set of hands will make this dance much smoother. Lay it flat, avoiding rough surfaces. Have your partner stand on the opposite end, and together, fold the cover like a pro accordion player. This is also the perfect moment for a cover inspection—replace if needed, or bid farewell if it's beyond repair.
Step 3: Pool Cover Spa Day
With the cover unfolded, treat it to a spa day in your yard. Apply pool cover cleaner or car wash soap, and using a gentle hand with a soft broom, scrub away. Avoid harsh tools or chemicals that could spoil the pampering. Rinse, dry, and stow it away in a storage bag or container, keeping it off the ground to avoid unwanted critter tenants.
Step 4: Skim the Red Carpet
Your skimmer gets the starring role—sweeping away any fallen debris from the cover removal and catching any big players that could clog up your pool's filtration system. It's the red carpet moment for your pool.
Step 5: Plug and Unplug
Remember those winterizing plugs? Time to bid them adieu as you walk around the pool, removing them. Keep an eye out for bubbles; they're normal as the water flows back into the pipes. And, don't forget to unplug your skimmer's winter companion, be it an ice compensator or a soda bottle.
Step 6: Accessory Relaunch
Bring back the pool's stars—ladder, diving board, step rails, slide—all the accessories that took a winter hiatus. It's also an opportune time for a little lubrication and greasing. Let the poolside glamor return!
Step 7: H2O Topping Ceremony
Your pool may have lost a few inches over the season, so it's time for a grand water return. Bring it back to normal levels now to avoid a chemistry balancing act later. And remember, a hose filter is your ally against contaminants.
Step 8: Pump and Filter Premiere
Cue the return of your pump and filter, ensuring a star-studded comeback. Secure drain plugs with thread seal tape and offer some love to O-rings with pool gasket lubricant. Open return side valves, flip the circuit breaker, and let the water flow. A round of applause for your pool pump's priming moment!
Step 9: Metal Levels Harmonization
Oddly enough, your pool water's metal levels may have cranked up while it was in winter hibernation. Add a metal sequestrant to keep staining and buildup at bay. It's the pre-show ritual for a glistening pool performance.
Step 10: Water Balancing Ballet
Time for a water chemistry waltz. Whether it's a start-up kit or individual chemicals, achieve balance for alkalinity, pH, and calcium hardness. A water sample trip to your pool supply store ensures precision—a backstage pass to a season of crystal-clear water.
Step 11: Brush and Vacuum Choreography
Give your pool a little TLC with a gentle brush, a preemptive strike against potential algae. If time permits, a thorough brushing is in order. Follow it up with a vacuum session, bidding adieu to any lingering debris on your pool's grand stage.
Step 12: Shock Splash
Before you unleash the chlorine, don your safety goggles and chemical-resistant gloves. No need for dramatics; pour the shock directly into the pool water, or dissolve it in a water-filled bucket. Remember, no mixing different shock types in the same bucket—that's a chemical clash you want to avoid.
Step 13: Filter Fiesta
All the hard work is done! Let the filtration system party for at least 24 hours, mingling the shock with the water and filtering out the remaining debris and spores. By the next day, your pool should be a crystal-clear sensation, ready for a swanky swim. If a tad cloudy, you can either wait for the haze to lift or accelerate the process with a pool water clarifier.
Safety First and Always
Before you plunge into pool bliss, ensure a few safety checks. Hose down your pool deck to rinse away spilled chemicals. A retest of water chemistry confirms the right chlorine levels. Like a vigilant director, test all safety features around the pool—gate locks, door alarms—and promptly fix any glitches. Safely stow your winter cover, keeping it pest-free and ready for the next season. Chemicals have their place too—securely stored away from curious hands and paws in a cool, dry spot.
The Pool is Open!
As you stand by your pool, envisioning a debris-free oasis, remember—with a bit of effort, by this time tomorrow, you could be luxuriating in crystal-clear water. Open your swimming pool, and set the stage for a season of effortless maintenance.
Short on Time? AG Pool Masters has your back! Let our pool-opening pros handle the nitty-gritty dirty work so you can rest easy, leaving you with clean hands and carefree summer days by the water. Your pool, our expertise—let the relaxation begin! Reach out to AG Pool Masters, because luxury should be effortless.
