- \n
- Removing and storing your pool cover<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Refilling your pool to regular water levels<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Turning on your pool equipment<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Testing and balancing your pool water<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Shocking your pool<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
DIY TIP:<\/strong>\u00a0Looking to simplify your pool opening process this year? Just purchase a\u00a0Leslie’s Pool Opening Kit<\/strong><\/u><\/a>! Each kit comes with all the essentials you’ll need to treat your water when it’s time to open the pool. In the kit, pool shock, algaecide, clarifier, and stain and scale prevention chemicals. Deluxe and Premium kits also include Perfect Weekly Start-Up, a powerful phosphate remover, and an enzyme blend. Just choose the right kit for your pool size, up to 35,000 gallons. For larger pools, use multiple kits.If this is the first time for you to work on your pool, use Leslie’s to get comfortable with the type of Chemicals you will need. Over time you can adjust your purchases. Our goal is the perfect water 24×7, we test daily, shock weekly, and follow a set cleaning, brushing, vacuuming, and maintenance schedule.<\/p>\n
\n1. Clean Off the Pool Cover<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
Whether you have a\u00a0winter cover<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0solid safety cover<\/strong>, it’s best to remove the extra water from the top of the cover before taking it off. \u00a0If there is substantial water, you may want to use a\u00a0cover pump<\/strong>\u00a0or some type of siphon to do the work for you. Mesh covers allow water to drain through into the pool, so don’t worry about this part if you have that type of cover. While the water is draining off, sweep off or scoop away all leaves and other debris on the cover. You don’t want all that stuff landing in your pool when it’s time to pull the cover back!<\/p>\n
\n2. Remove the Pool Cover<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
It works best to have two people remove the cover, especially if you have a large pool. Try to prevent any remaining debris or dirty water from falling into the pool as you remove the cover. If a bit of debris ends up in the pool, that\u2019s OK. You will still have to vacuum and shock the pool before you start swimming, anyway. But introducing extra debris and murky water into the pool will make the whole process a lot more difficult as you work to get it ready for swimming.<\/p>\n
\n3. Clean and Store the Pool Cover<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
After you remove the cover, lay it out flat, brush off and rinse away any remaining debris, and then let it dry. If necessary, you can use a vinyl-safe cleaning product to help remove stuck-on dirt and debris. When the cover is completely dry, lightly sprinkle the cover with\u00a0Leslie\u2019s Alkalinity Up<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to prevent mold and mildew. Fold the cover loosely, and store it in a cool, dry place.<\/p>\n
NOTE: If you did NOT winterize your pool for freezing conditions, skip ahead to Step 8.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n4. Reconnect Pool Equipment<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
If you winterized your pool for freezing temperatures, you would need to get your\u00a0pool equipment<\/strong>\u00a0ready to operate again when you open the pool. This includes reinstalling drain plugs into your filter, pump, heater, and other equipment, as well as reconnecting anything you may have disconnected from the pool plumbing. For above-ground pools, you will need to reconnect the flexible plumbing lines to the pool equipment and skimmer.<\/p>\n
Now is also a great time to reinstall any ladders or handrails you removed at pool closing time.<\/p>\n
\n5. Remove Winterizing Plugs from Skimmer and Return Lines<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Don\u2019t forget to remove all winterizing plugs from your skimmer and return lines. Now is the time to reconnect any\u00a0return valves or\u00a0eyeball fittings<\/strong>\u00a0you removed last fall or winter. If you use non-toxic pool antifreeze at pool closing time, discharge it to waste or backwash the filter (if you have a sand or DE filter) once the pump is up and running. Alternatively, you can use a wet\/dry shop vac to remove the antifreeze through the skimmer.<\/p>\n
\n6. Raise the Water Level Back to Normal<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Use a garden hose to fill the pool back to its normal water level. This is typically around the middle of the skimmer opening or halfway up the tile. Depending on how much water was removed at closing time, this may take a little while.<\/p>\n
\n7. Turn the System Back On<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Prime the pump so you can turn on the circulation and filtration system. If you have an air relief valve on your pool filter, open it to bleed the air from the system. Once water spurts out, close the air relief valve. Check all around the equipment pad for leaks or unusual noises. If you notice major issues, turn the system back off until you can make the necessary repairs.<\/p>\n
BONUS TIP:<\/strong>\u00a0Pump won’t prime? You may have a leak. It’s not uncommon for pool plumbing to spring a leak during the winter months, especially if water got into the suction or return lines during freezing weather. You may also want to check your pump lid to ensure it’s not cracked and that the O-ring is in good shape. Check out our article on\u00a0how to prime a pool pump<\/strong><\/u><\/a>\u00a0to learn more.<\/p>\n
\n8. Add Stain and Scale Prevention Chemicals<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
During the pool opening process, you’ll want to leave your pump running continuously on high speed until you’re all done, which could take a couple days in total. With the pump running, it’s time to start adding chemicals!<\/p>\n
After a long winter off-season, metals such as copper and iron may have concentrated in your pool water or fallen out of solution. When you open the pool, add\u00a0Leslie’s noMetal<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to prevent metals from causing stains or discoloration in your pool during the next steps. Or, if you purchased a\u00a0Leslie’s Pool Opening Kit<\/strong><\/a>, add the correct dose of Stain & Scale Prevent Start-Up. As with all pool chemicals, reference product label instructions for dosage and application details, and allow the water to circulate for at least 4 hours before moving to the next step.<\/p>\n
Each week during swimming season, continue to use\u00a0Leslie’s Stain & Scale Prevent<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0according to label directions. This will help avoid staining issues and scale buildup all summer long.<\/p>\n
\n \n![\"How](\"https:\/\/img1.wsimg.com\/isteam\/ip\/542836df-9686-470f-a493-e0c2921544f9\/Ethan%20Swim-2db0a31.JPG\/:\/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25\/rs=w:1280\" "\\"How")
<\/div>\n<\/div>How to Open Your Pool in Spring<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \n9. Test and Balance the Water<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Once the circulation system has been running for a few hours, test your pool water for pH and Total Alkalinity with an at-home\u00a0test kit<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0test strips<\/strong>. Ideal levels are as follows:<\/p>\n
- \n
- pH: 7.4\u20137.6<\/li>\n
- Total Alkalinity: 80\u2013120 ppm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Don’t worry about the rest of your water chemistry just yet \u2014 more on that in a bit. This step ensures your chlorine will work efficiently during the upcoming steps. Since pH and Total Alkalinity (TA) are closely tied together and use many of the same adjustment chemicals, it’s important to balance TA levels first before addressing pH.<\/p>\n
\nTotal Alkalinity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Ideal TA levels depend on the type of primary sanitizer you’re using. When using dichlor, trichlor, or bromine as your primary sanitizer, the ideal range is between 100\u2013120 ppm. With cal-hypo or sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine), a level of 80\u2013100 ppm is ideal. For salt systems, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your unit.<\/p>\n
If TA is too high, you can use\u00a0Leslie\u2019s Dry Acid<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to lower the levels to the ideal range. If TA is too low, add\u00a0Leslie\u2019s Alkalinity Up<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0Leslie’s Soda Ash<\/strong>\u00a0to increase TA levels in the water. Have questions? Check the label for dosage and application instructions, or read our other article for helpful tips on\u00a0how to balance Total Alkalinity in your pool<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
\npH<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Once the water has had time to circulate, you’ve retested the water, and the TA level is within the recommended range, it’s then time to look at the updated pH so you know which way to adjust. The pH level should be between 7.4\u20137.6.<\/p>\n
If the pH level is too high, use\u00a0Leslie\u2019s Dry Acid<\/strong>\u00a0to bring it back down. On the other hand, if it’s too low, use\u00a0Leslie\u2019s Soda Ash<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0baking soda<\/strong>, they sell the large bags at Walmart in the pool section to bring it up. If you need help, we have a helpful article on\u00a0how to balance pH<\/strong><\/a>, as well!<\/p>\n
\n10. Brush and Vacuum the Pool<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
After adjusting your pool chemistry, thoroughly\u00a0brush<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0vacuum<\/strong>\u00a0your pool to remove any remaining dirt and debris. Pay special attention to places like pool steps, the waterline, and tight areas like corners and crevices.<\/p>\n
\n11. Shock the Pool<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Shocking the pool will address any germs, algae, or other contaminants lurking in your water. If you purchased an\u00a0Opening Kit from Leslie’s<\/strong><\/a>, you’ll use the included bags of\u00a0Chlor Brite<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0at a rate of one full bag (1 pound) per 10,000 gallons. Always use the entire bag of shock, and round up to the nearest 10,000-gallon increment, if necessary. For example, a 15,000-gallon pool would use two of the 1-pound bags of shock. We buy our shock from\u00a0Intheswim.com<\/strong><\/a>. They are the top-rated manufacturer.<\/p>\n
Let the water circulate for at least an hour or two, then test the Free Available Chlorine level to make sure it’s at least up to 1\u20134 ppm. A higher level is OK, but lower is not. If the level is still too low, continue adding more shock as needed to get the levels up.<\/p>\n
Now it’s time to let the shock do its work. Leave the filter pump running on high, and let it run overnight. Your pool\u2019s filtration system should remove much of the suspended dirt and debris left over after brushing and vacuuming your pool.<\/p>\n
BONUS TIP<\/strong>: If you have an automatic pool cleaner, you can reinstall the cleaner 24 hours after shocking the pool, or whenever chlorine levels are back within the ideal range of 1\u20134 ppm.<\/p>\n
\n12. Add Specialty Pool Chemicals<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
This is a good time for a reminder! It’s extremely important to read and follow all pool chemical label instructions, especially as it relates to storage, handling, dosing, and post-application wait times before swimming or adding other chemicals. Remember to NEVER mix chemicals together or add multiple chemicals to the pool at the same time!<\/p>\n
To finish getting your pool ready for swimming season, we recommend the following:<\/p>\n
\nAlgae Control<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
The day after you shock the pool, add the recommended dosage of\u00a0Leslie’s Algae Control<\/strong>, and allow the circulation system to run for at least 2 hours.<\/p>\n
\nClarifier<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
If you’re having issues with cloudy water, an application of\u00a0Leslie’s Ultra Bright Advanced<\/strong>\u00a0will coagulate even the smallest particles in your water. This makes it easier for your filter to trap the particles and remove them from the water, boosting the efficiency of your filter to clear the water up faster.<\/p>\n
Run the circulation system for at least 4 hours after adding the clarifier. Check the filter pressure occasionally, and clean the filter as necessary to keep it running efficiently. Particularly dirty pools may require an extra filter cleaning during the pool opening process.<\/p>\n
\nEnzymes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Enzymes work to break down non-living organic contaminants and oily residues, helping your sanitizer work more efficiently. Certain enzyme products, like those listed below, also contain phosphate removers to help fend off algae growth.<\/p>\n
If using a Premium or Deluxe Opening Kit, shake up your bottle of Perfect Weekly Start-Up. Alternatively, you can use\u00a0Pool Magic + Phosfree Spring and Fall<\/strong>. Add the proper amount into your skimmer while the pump is running. Especially at start-up, we recommend running the pump continuously for 48 hours after adding enzymes.<\/p>\n
Once the pool is open, add a maintenance dose of\u00a0Leslie’s Perfect Weekly<\/strong>\u00a0each week to help keep your pool water crystal clear all summer. We use\u00a0Nature2<\/a>\u00a0at Waterview Swim. Nature2 is a line of simple and effective mineral sanitizers that work in conjunction with your pool and spa’s filtration system. Nature2 delivers sparkling clean water and is proven to help destroy bacteria and fight algae without the harsh effects of traditional chemicals.<\/p>\n
\n13. Test and Balance the Water with Leslie’s AccuBlue\u00ae<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
- Refilling your pool to regular water levels<\/strong><\/li>\n