After you open your pool, the first things to do are clean out any debris, check the water level, run the pump and filter, test and balance the water, brush and vacuum the pool, and wait until the water is safe to swim in.
Yeah, it’s a bit of a list. But just because your pool is open doesn’t mean it’s automatically ready for swimming. You’ll need to put a little more work in before you can get to the good stuff.
Here’s what to do after you open your pool so it’s clean, clear, and ready for the season.
It usually makes sense to start with the obvious stuff. So, before you worry too much about the water chemistry, get rid of anything sitting in or around the pool.
When clearing debris out of your pool after opening, be sure to check:
Even if your pool cover did its job, you’ll often still find some leaves, twigs, bugs, and dirt that made their way in over the winter. Clearing that out first gives your pump and filter a much easier job once you start circulating the water. And as a bonus, it also helps prevent stains, clogged baskets, and cloudy water later on.
After clearing any debris, it’s a good idea to check where the water is sitting in relation to the skimmer. In most pools, the water should be about halfway up the skimmer opening.
If it’s not at the right level, it might cause more trouble than you’d think. When water levels are too low, your pump can start pulling in air, which can lead to circulation problems. On the other hand, if it’s too high, the skimmer may not be able to pull debris from the surface as well.
In case the water level is too low, be sure to top it up before running the system for too long. It’s a small step, but it really can make a big difference in helping everything run properly.
Now it’s time to get the water moving.
After sitting through the off-season, your pool water needs to circulate before it can really start clearing up. Running the pump and filter helps move water through the system, catch smaller debris, and make sure anything you add later gets mixed throughout the pool rather than sitting in one area.
Let the system run for a while, and pay attention to any equipment issues that show up, including:
If you find that the system isn’t running properly, the water will be harder to clean and balance. So before you move too far ahead, make sure the pump and filter are doing their job.
Once the water has had some time to circulate, test it before adding anything else. This gives you a better idea of what the pool actually needs rather than guessing and hoping it clears up.
When testing and balancing the water after opening your pool, you’ll want to check things like:
If you’ve noticed cloudy or green water after opening, this is where it can start to make more sense. Sometimes it’s a chemical balance issue, other times it’s algae. You may even find that it’s leftover dirt and debris from the winter. In any case, testing the water gives you a starting point.
From there, you can adjust the chemicals as needed and let the system continue running.
Now it’s time to give the pool surfaces some attention. Even if the water is starting to look better, there can still be dirt, algae, or buildup sitting on the walls, floor, steps, and corners.
Here, you’ll want to start by brushing the pool thoroughly, especially in spots where there’s weak circulation. Then, simply vacuum the pool to remove anything that has settled on the bottom.
Besides general cleanliness, the nice thing about this step is that it helps your chemicals work more effectively. They won’t have to fight against debris stuck to the pool surface.
This is the point where you want to confirm that the pool isn’t just “open,” but actually ready to use. You’re pretty much just looking for classic signs here: the water should be clear enough to see the bottom, the chemical levels should be in the proper range, and the pump and filter should be circulating well.
Of course, if something seems off, you’ll want to give it more attention before swimming. Cloudy water, poor circulation, or chemicals that are still out of range are all signs that the pool needs a little more work first.
And once you’ve made sure the pool is clean, balanced, and safe enough to enjoy, you’re in.
Whether you’re unsure what to do after you open your pool or you simply don’t want to, Clark Pools and Spas can help. From water testing and balancing to equipment checks and seasonal pool maintenance, our team can help get your pool swim-ready so you can enjoy the season without the extra guesswork.
Book your pool opening or cleaning with us today.
