Opening Your Above Ground Swimming Pool

1. Remove as much debris as possible from the pool cover with a leaf net and siphon off any water. If you have a small pump it makes life a little easier but it’s not necessary. (I never use one.)

2. Remove cover carefully to minimize the amount of collected junk that gets into the pool. A little bit will inevitably make it in but don’t worry about it. We’ll take care of that soon enough. I have found that if you fold the cover over as you go, it helps to keep debris from getting in the pool.

3. Spread that cover out on the ground and allow it to dry. (Nothing like trying to put a mildewed cover on in the winter.) Sweep it off with a broom careful not to poke any holes then fold it up and put it away until winter. 

4. Get those pillows out (if you used them).

5. Take all plugs out that you used in your equipment. Generally there are only plugs in the return jets if the pool was not drained.

6. Set up all of the ladders and other accessories you have for the pool.

7. I recommend lubrication for all the metal nuts and bolts. They will be around water all summer after all. The only nuts and bolts on the equipment itself should be located on your filter, if there are any at all.

8. Put the skimmer basket and pump basket back into the corresponding places. Hook up all of the hoses to the skimmer basket and filter. Hoses run in this direction, simmer(s) - pump - filter - returns.

9. Hook up pump, filter and any other additional equipment and prime the pump by filling it with a garden hose. Make sure to replace any drain plugs removed from the pump and filter.

10. Turn on the power and look for leaks or any other issues and make sure the water is circulating in the pool. 

11. Go get some 99% Sodium Dichlor shock and dissolve it in a bucket then toss it in. I always us at least four times the recommended amount at opening. Avoid any calcium based shocks because they can cause cloudy water. Lithium based shocks work well but you have to use more and they are quite expensive.

12.Test all of the chemicals and adjust accordingly. Start off with the Alakalinity.

13. Let pool run for at least 24 hours. And you are ready to swim!