The weather has started to get warm, and the school year is starting to wind down, both of which mean the onset of swimming pool season is upon us. It’s just about time to reverse all that winterizing to get your pool ready for summer. Doing so is incredibly easy as long as you follow these five easy steps to open your pool this season:
#1 Remove the Pool Cover
First and foremost, you will need to remove the pool cover from your pool, which isn’t necessarily as easy as it sounds. If you’ve got a winter cover or a solid safety cover, you’ll want to drain as much water from it as possible, then recruit some help to pull the heavy cover off the pool completely. Make sure you clean it and dry it properly before storing it for the summer to avoid any mold or damage that may force you to replace it come fall.
#2 Raise the Water Level
All pools have a recommended water level, so once the cover has been removed, you’ll want to check your water level to make sure you’ve got enough in the pool. This really is as simple as dragging over the garden hose and letting it run until the level is right around the middle of the skimmer opening or halfway up the tile.
#3 Reconnect Pool Equipment
You likely disconnected several different pool components as part of the winterizing process back in the fall, so now is the time to put everything back together. Your pool filter, pool heater, drain plugs, and return valve fittings all will need to be connected the way they were last summer to ensure proper pool maintenance and function this summer.
#4 Consider a Professional Pool Cleaning
Here at Sunset Pools & Spas, we employ professionals capable of ensuring your pool is properly and professionally cleaned ahead of this summer’s swimming season. Not everybody opts for swimming pool cleaning services, but it can have a massive impact on the quality of your pool, as it removes mold and stains thus giving you and your family a clean slate for the summer that lies ahead.
#5 Check the Chemistry
Finally, before sending anyone into the pool to cool off this summer, you will need to check the pH level of your water and add chemicals as needed. Do this after the circulation system has been given the opportunity to run for several hours, at which point you will need to check the pH (which should land between 7.4 and 7.6), Total Alkalinity (which should settle between 80 and 120 ppm), and Chlorine (which should fall between 2.0 to 4.0 ppm).
If you need any help with any step in this process, give us a call here at Sunset Pools & Spas, and we will be happy to help you open your pool. Getting swimming pools open for the summer is so exciting and incredibly fun, but opening them properly is key to keeping them running smoothly for the next several months. Good luck opening your pool, and here’s to another great summer filled with swimming fun!