Commercial Pool Opening Guide

Pool covers are a great way to protect a pool during the off-season. Remove your cover properly to prevent debris from getting in your pool, and ensure your cover is ready for next fall.

• Remove trapped water from the top of the pool cover using a pool cover pump.
• Sweep debris from the pool cover using a soft broom to prevent damage.
• Remove the pool cover and wash off any remaining debris with water.
• Allow the cover to dry before folding and storing it in a covered container.
  

Expansion plugs are recommended to protect against freezing. Inspect all pool pipes for these plugs and remove them as needed. Store them for the next winterization.

Clean the pool filter and backwash the system using a non-corrosive filter cleaner This removes any dirt, insects, oils and other contaminants that have built up during the off-season.

Fill the pool until the water level reaches the middle of the skimmer or the manufacturer’s recommended level. When the water reaches that appropriate level, start the pump and filtration equipment and let it run for 24 hours. For efficient results, vacuum the pool during the refilling process and apply water treatments after the water has risen several inches.

• Add a pool stain remover to prevent minerals from staining or damaging pool surfaces.
• Add a pool clarifier to clear small particles from the water and prevent cloudy buildup.

After the pool has been refilled and vacuumed, and the filtration system has run for 24 hours, shock the pool with a non-chlorine shock oxidizer. This breaks up and helps remove organic contaminants.

Balance the water to the proper alkalinity, pH, chlorine and bromine levels. Use unexpired, reliable test strips to test your pool’s water.

• Add an alkalinity booster to raise the total alkalinity level to 80-125 ppm.
• Add a pH adjuster to ensure the water’s pH level falls in the ideal range of 7.2-7.6.
• Adjust the available chlorine and bromine levels to the ideal range of 1-4 ppm.
  

Add a chlorine stabilizer to protect your freshly balanced pool from rapid chlorine loss caused by sunlight. Remember, a bright, sunny day can reduce your pool’s active chlorine levels by as much as 90 percent in just 2 hours.

Prevent algae from growing and overtaking your newly opened pool by adding algaecide. This works in conjunction with chlorine to destroy algae. Generally, it is safe to enjoy the pool 30 minutes after adding an algaecide.