Opening your pool is a big step. Now it’s all about getting the water clean, balanced, and ready to enjoy. Here’s what to do next:
1. Clean Up Everything
Even if it looks decent, there’s usually debris hiding.
- Get your water professionally tested, we offer free water testing with an in store purchase
- Purchase necessary chemicals for treatment and to use during the season
- Skim leaves, bugs, and debris off the surface
- Vacuum the pool floor
- Brush walls, steps, and corners (this prevents algae from taking hold)
2. Get the System Running
Your circulation system is your best friend right now.
- Run the pump continuously (24–48 hours at first)
- Check that water is flowing properly through returns
- Empty skimmer and pump baskets frequently
- Backwash your sand filter 1-2 times daily until the pool is clear
- Clean or replace your cartridge filters for the season
3. Test Your Water
Use a test kit or strips to check:
- pH (goal: ~7.2–7.6)
- Chlorine
- Alkalinity
- Calcium hardness
If you want precision, our free water testing will give you a printed guide to walk you through necessary chemicals and dosages required to make the water safe for swimming.
4. Shock the Pool - This is key right after opening.
- Add a pool shock, it can be liquid or granular but if using granular be sure to brush it and add around the pool and not all in one spot
- Do it in the evening for best results
- Run the pump overnight
This kills bacteria, algae, and anything that built up over winter.
5. Balance You Water Chemistry with the Proper Chemicals
After shocking, adjust:
- pH first
- Then alkalinity
- Then calcium (if needed)
- Maintain chlorine levels going forward
Take it step-by-step—don’t dump everything in at once. Some chemicals require a certain amount of time to dissolve before continuing to the next step.
6. Clean or Backwash the Filter
Your filter probably caught a lot during opening. Continue to net debris from the top and bottom of the pool and vacuum or use your robotic pool cleaner frequently.
- Sand filter → backwash 1-2 times daily until clear, then weekly during the season.
- Cartridge filter → rinse or replace filters. Rinse them monthly or after frequent use.
7. Watch for Cloudiness or Algae
Over the next few days:
- Cloudy water → may need clarifier or more filtration
- Green tint → shock again + brush thoroughly
- If you haven’t tested your water or followed a water test previously, bring in another sample to re-test.
8. Set a Simple Weekly Routine
Once it’s stable:
- Skim: a few times a week
- Vacuum: multiple times a week if you a prone to debris like leaves, pine needs or dust settling into the bottom of the pool
- Test water: Once a week or after a pool party or heavy use
- Add chlorine regularly, check salt levels. Do not add more salt unless you know your ppm reading.
- Run pump: ~8 hours/day (more in hot weather). If you have a variable speed pump, once your pool is clear you can set a different schedule for your pump to run at slower speeds overnight to save energy.
Pro Tip
If the water was in bad shape when the pool was opened, don’t rush swimming. Wait until:
- Water is clear
- Chlorine is in a safe range (1–4 ppm)
- pH is balanced
- Water test says it’s safe for swimming
How to help prevent your water from being hard to fix in the Spring
- Make sure you pool water is balanced prior to closing the pool for the season
- Use a pool cover, either a professionally installed mesh cover or a tarp cover to keep debris out during the off season
- If the water is green, do not close the pool until the water is balanced and clear
- Net any debit out before closing the pool for the season
- Add winter chemicals into the pool
