When and How to Open up Your Swimming Pool

With the weather finally coming out of the minuses, it may seem too early to think about opening up your outdoor pool. However, like with everything, it's best to be prepared.

Firstly, if you leave this too late you will end up with a warm unopened pool full of growing bacteria and algae. In fact, this is likely to be the case anyway if you did not invest in correctly closing your swimming pool for the winter (please see our Winterisation services)

It is generally recommended that you open your pool sometime between late April and early May, when the weather is starting to warm up but before it gets too hot. Of course, this varies depending on where you live - if you're in a warmer climate you may be able to open your pool earlier, while if you're in a colder climate you may need to wait until later in the season. You generally want to have temperatures consistently around 15 degrees Celsius/60 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to open up your pool

There are many steps you need to take to open your swimming pool. Here is how our experts would recommend opening your swimming pool in the summer. 

Prepare

The most important thing you need to do when you're opening up your swimming pool is to prepare. You need to block out enough time, have all of the supplies, and understand what steps you need to take.  Some of the materials you will need are a leaf net, a pool vacuum, gloves to protect your hands, a hose to fill your pool, chemical test strips, as well as all of the chemicals you need to add to your pool.

Check for damage

Check for any damage,  take a look at the condition of the pool itself. If there are any cracks or other damage, now is the time to repair them. Otherwise, you may find yourself dealing with leaks later on.

Time to clean the cover!

Next, you will want to clean and remove the pool cover you had on during the winter months. Dried debris can be easily removed and brushed or swept off. You'll need a soft bristle brush to remove any debris that built up over the winter. You can also use a high-pressure hose to clean any remaining debris off of your pool cover. Once you have cleaned the cover with soap and other cleaners, leave it in a flat area to dry. As soon as it has dried, make sure you store your cover in an area that is free from moisture and pests.

Carry on cleaning!

The next step to pool summerisation is to clean the pool itself. There may be algae growing in your pool, or there may be debris or other things floating in the water. To give it a good cleaning, you will first want to use a leaf net to remove debris from the surface of the pool. You will also need to use a pool vacuum to clean the bottom of the pool from any debris or buildup. Doing a preliminary clean of the pool before you install chemicals will help the process go a bit faster!

Re install the equipment

At this point, you will be able to install equipment and accessories that you had removed over the winter months. These include ladders, slides, diving boards, hand grabs, and more! You can clean each of these accessories before you reinstall them into your pool. You can also install newly purchased equipment, like pumps, heaters, and new filters. Each of these should come with its own installation instructions.

Add the chemicals

The final and most important step in the pool summerisation process is to fill up your pool and make sure you treat your water properly with the right sanitation products. Once these are included in your pool, you can use test strips to check the chemical levels and have them checked by a professional. Generally, you want to leave these chemicals in your pool for about 24 hours before you test these. Some of the things you will test are the pH level, chlorine content, and more. Once more, you will want to thoroughly brush your pool to loosen any other debris or sediment at the bottom of the pool. After this, let your filtration system run to finish cleaning your pool. Then, enjoy your pool all summer!

What to do now you’ve opened your pool

Now that you've opened your pool and it's ready for use, there are a few things you should do on a regular basis to keep it clean and safe. First, be sure to test the water quality frequently and adjust the chemicals accordingly. You should also brush the sides and bottom of the pool on a weekly basis, and vacuum it at least once a week as well. In addition, it's important to keep an eye on the condition of your pool's equipment. Make sure everything is still working properly and that there aren't any leaks or other issues. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, be sure to contact a professional for help. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your pool all season long while keeping it safe and clean for everyone to use.

Following these steps makes it easy to learn how to open up your swimming pool during the summer! Once you achieve that quintessentially crystal blue pool look, you’ll need to manage and maintain this.