Are YOU (And Your Pool) Ready for Summer?

Are you ready?

If the pool was winterized properly and you open early, proper cover removal will ensure that your pool opens relatively clear.


Basic Steps to Opening and Preparing Your Pool for Summer:

Plan to attend Pool School at POOLCO!

Remove water & debris from the top of the cover (and pool deck if you have one). DO NOT LET ANYTHING FROM THE TOP OF THE COVER GET INTO THE POOL!

Remove cover. You should be able to "float" the cover over the surface of the pool, if you have correctly followed our advice.

Clean the cover with BioGuard StowAway (or it WILL SMELL really, really bad next fall when you need to winterize your pool!) Do yourself a favor and dispose of any cover that has developed pinholes from the cover fabric pulling apart (or you will be pumping pool water from under the cover next spring when you open the pool....)

Tighten connections.

Attach Filter and Pump. Did you need to change your filter sand this year? Did you need to chemically clean the sand with BioGuard Filter Cleaner?

Tighten all hose connections -  SUPER TIGHT! 

The manufacture of flexible filter system connection hose recommends changing these annually. Biofilms develop inside the hoses that will require additional chemical treatment. In addition to this, the sun is very harsh and drying on the plastic. The bend in the hose can crack and then leak (and unwanted "fountain"...)

Screw in all pump and filter plugs.

Remove skimmer plate.

Remove plugs and skimmer covers from the pool.

How high is the water level? If there is enough water added to the pool - AND THE WATER IS CLEAR WITH NO FINE DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR** - then beginning running the filter system. Run the filter 24 hours a day for several days until the water clarity and chemical balance are perfect! Then you may reduce filter time to 8 - 12 hours per day (with the use of a timer - or you WILL forget to run filter!)

** If there is a layer of fine dirt (or worse) on the bottom of the pool you must remove this from the pool. Come see us with a water sample for how to best handle this situation.

Vacuum on waster or drain...

Immediately test and chemically treat the pool water.  Winterizing chemicals are often depleted by spring, especially if winter and spring temperatures were above average.

Algae starts small...

JUST BECAUSE THE POOL IS COVERED -  BACTERIA, WATER MOLDS, AND ALGAE CAN STILL REPRODUCE!

Bring a sample of water (16 ounce) to POOLCO for a complete water analysis. We will make opening dosage recommendations and customize your instructions based on your pool's needs, your budget and your time!

 Our friendly advice is always free!