How To Open An Inground Pool

Pool opening season has officially begun.

Opening your inground swimming pool for the season is one of the most exciting times of the year for pool owners. The sun beating down on you, the irresistible call of the water, and the promise of some well-deserved swimming and poolside rest and relaxation make opening your pool a truly wonderful moment in time. For a lot of pool owners here in the Midwest, opening your pool is synonymous with the start of summer.

At Royal Pools G2 Landscaping, we open dozens of inground pools in the Northwest Indiana region every year. A lot of homeowners in the region prefer to hire a pool service company for their annual pool openings. Just know that it is possible to do yourself.

Opening an inground pool is a fairly simple process. If you have the time and willingness to learn, you can do it yourself. What does opening an inground pool entail? Let’s dive in.

What We Provide When Opening An Inground Pool

Before we give you a full look at each step in the pool opening process, here’s a brief overview of what we provide when opening an inground pool:

• Remove the pool cover
• Remove plugs and gizmos
• Install return fittings
• Startup and inspect equipment
• Add startup Chemicals (algaecide and a non-chlorine shock)

The following steps will extend beyond what some companies provide at a pool opening. The extra steps are listed to provide you with the steps beyond simply starting up the pool equipment, including cleaning the pool and balancing the chemicals.

Step 1: Remove the Pool Cover

You must open the cover before you can begin. If you use a solid or mesh cover, remove any leaves or debris that may have gathered on the cover. Here’s how to safely remove it:

• Remove any debris: If you have a solid cover, use a cover pump or shop vac to remove any water or debris that may have accumulated.
• Carefully lift the cover: Be gentle when lifting the cover off to avoid any damage, especially if it’s a heavier solid cover or contains water. Have a partner help you when removing a manual cover.
• Clean and store the cover: Once removed, clean the cover with a pool cover cleaner and protectant, rinse it, and allow it to dry before storing it away until next season.

Opening an automatic pool cover is, as its name suggests, automatic. This is the simplest step for any pool opening with an auto cover.

Step 2: Fill the Pool with Water

Pool water tends to evaporate and drop off during the off-season. Refilling the water is the next most important step.

Maintaining proper water level, midway through the skimmer, throughout the swim season is essential to keeping the skimmer and filter functioning as efficiently as possible.

• Check the water level: Ideally, the water should be at least halfway up the skimmer opening. Use a garden hose to raise the water to the correct level.
• Check Water Chemistry: Test your pool water using a pool testing kit, and adjust the chemical levels accordingly. This includes checking the pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels. This will give you an idea of what you will need to balance the water once the pool opening process is complete.

Step 3: Reconnect and Prime the Pump

Once the equipment inspection is complete, it’s time to reconnect the pump, filter, and any other pool systems that were disconnected for winter. Be sure to:

• Reconnect all hoses and pipes: Check for cracks or leaks in the plumbing and replace any damaged parts.
• Remove plugs and prime the pump: Prime the pump by adding water to the pump basket to help it start circulating water. Turn on the pump and let it run for a few minutes, making sure everything is working smoothly.

Step 4: Inspect the Pool Equipment

Once the cover is off, inspect the pool equipment to ensure it’s in good working order.

• Check the pool pump and filter: Check for any debris, rust, or visible damage to the pool equipment pad. If necessary, clean the filter grids or cartridges or replace the filter media if needed (if the pressure gauge is reading high or the returns are pushing out air or debris). Make sure the pump is free of obstructions and lubricate any parts as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Examine the pool heater (if applicable): Ensure the heater is clean, and there are no signs of damage or leaks. Check that it’s functioning correctly before turning it on.
• Reconnect all the plugs to the pool equipment (pump, filter, and heater)
• Inspect the pool lights: Check for any signs of malfunction or damage to your pool lighting, both underwater and around the pool area.

Check the pool’s electrical system and ensure all wiring is intact and safe to use.

Step 5: Test the Pool Equipment

After everything has been inspected and reconnected, double-check that all pool equipment is functioning properly.

• Run the pump and filter: Ensure the pump and filter are operating smoothly and not producing any strange sounds or unwanted leaks.
• Check the heater: If you have a pool heater, check that it’s firing properly and heating the pool.
• Test the pool lights: test your pool lights by flipping them on and off and changing the colors to ensure they are working properly.

Step 6: Clean the Pool

Now that the pool is opened and running properly, you can begin the cleaning process.

• Vacuum the pool: Clean the floor and walls by manually vacuuming or using a robotic cleaner.
• Brush the pool: Brush the walls, floor, and steps of the pool to remove any algae buildup or debris.
• Skim the surface: Use a pool skimmer net to remove any floating leaves or debris.
• Check the tiles and walls: Look for any build-up of calcium deposits or other residue on the tile lines or pool walls. Use pool-safe cleaning solutions to remove any stains or residue.

Step 7: Shock the Pool

To ensure the water is free of bacteria, algae, and other contaminants, you’ll need to shock your pool. Shocking your pool is the process of adding a large dose of chlorine or another pool sanitizer product to clean the water.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: Make sure to use the appropriate type of pool shock for your pool and follow the instructions carefully.
• Allow the water to circulate: Turn on the pool pump and let the water circulate for several hours after shocking the pool.
• Wait to swim: You should wait at least 24 hours after shocking the pool before swimming to allow the chemicals to properly disperse and the chlorine levels to normalize.

Step 8: Balance the Pool Chemicals

Once you’ve shocked the pool, check the water chemistry again and add the required chemicals to balance the water. The most important chemicals to monitor are:

• Chlorine: The chlorine levels should be between 1 – 3 ppm (parts per million) for safe swimming.
• pH: The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8.
• Alkalinity: Total alkalinity should be between 80 – 120 ppm.
• Calcium Hardness: Calcium levels should be between 175 – 350 ppm (for fiberglass pools, maintain calcium levels below 120 or use a scale preventative)
• Cyanuric Acid: Anywhere between 30 – 50 ppm.

Use pool chemicals to adjust the levels accordingly, and be sure to retest the water a few hours after adding any chemicals. Balanced pool water means that the sanitizer (chlorine, bromine, etc.) can do its job effectively. This ensures a clean, clear, and healthy pool.

Step 9: Add Accessories and Final Touches

Now that the pool is ready, it’s time to add any finishing touches that will help ensure your pool is as enjoyable as possible.

• Install pool accessories: Place ladders, diving boards, or other poolside accessories back in place, if they weren’t put back in place already.
• Prepare pool toys and floats: Clean and organize any pool toys or floats you plan to use.
• Check the pool area: Inspect the deck and surrounding area for any necessary repairs or cleaning to ensure it’s safe and ready for swimmers.

Step 10: Enjoy Your Pool!

At this point, your pool is open, clean, balanced, and ready for swimmers. All that’s left to do is dive in, enjoy the beautiful water, and bask in the glorious sun. This one is not much of a step, you see.

Conclusion on Opening Inground Pools

Here in the Midwest, we unfortunately cannot keep our pools open year-round. It’s a bummer, I know. But hey, someone who has never had to close their pool doesn’t know the overwhelming joy that comes with opening and getting your pool ready for the swim season.

There’s no time like pool opening time. Now that you know what goes into opening an inground pool, you can try it yourself!

For more educational articles and videos on all things pools and landscaping, check out our learning hub at the top. I have listed a few articles below to get started. Have a great day!

Tell-Tale Signs That Your Pool Water Is Unbalanced

How To Clean Your Automatic Swimming Pool Cover

Top 3 Best Brands for Robotic Pool Cleaners

Written by Logan Edgemon