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How to Open Your Pool for Summer Without Wrecking the Water

Temperatures are warming up, and you might be getting eager to hop in your pool. Unfortunately, you need to do a little prep work before you can enjoy your pool for the season. Even if you closed your pool properly at the end of summer, it still may have gotten cloudy and green during the winter. Don't worry—this is normal and nothing you can’t fix. Your pool should start clearing up 24 to 72 hours after adding the right chemicals. In the guide ahead, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to follow to open your pool and share the best time to open your pool for the season.

When Should You Open Your Pool After Winter?

The unofficial pool season starts Memorial Day Weekend. That’s the date many homeowners want to have their pool open by. The general recommendation from many pool experts is to open your pool once temperatures hit and stay in the 70s (or higher) consistently during the day.

Jimmie Meece, brand president of America’s Swimming Pool Co., explains, “Opening your pool too early leaves it vulnerable to late storms and pollen. However, waiting too long to open your pool may mean an increase in algae growth and a more difficult opening.”

In some instances, you may need to open your pool earlier to repair any known issues or remove extra debris. Or you can always use your pool heater if you have one and enjoy it before temperatures are consistently in the 70s or higher.

In other words, the best time to open your pool varies based on your region and whether you have a heated pool.

Supplies You’ll Need to Open Your Pool

If you own a pool, you probably have most of the supplies and tools needed for opening it and may just need to buy one last thing—a pool opening kit. But for your peace of mind, here is a checklist so you can double check if you have everything you need on hand.

Installation and removal rod to remove the safety pool cover.
Garden hose to add water to the pool and rinse the pool cover.
Pool opening kit, including shock treatment, algaecide, and metal removal, to balance the water chemistry.
Pool leaf catcher to remove debris and tree leaves.
Pool vacuum brush to extract algae and debris from the bottom of the pool.
Filter, skimmer baskets, and pump supplies.
Test kit or strips to check the chemical levels.

A pool test kit can tell you if the chemicals in your pool are properly balanced.

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How to Open a Pool After Winter

Whether you open your pool yourself or hire a professional service to do it for you, it is a good idea to know what’s involved when opening a pool. Here’s what you can expect if you decide to go the DIY route:

1. Remove, Clean, and Store the Pool Cover

The first thing you want to do before even attempting to remove the pool cover is to pump out any extra water above the skimmer lines that has accumulated due to snow or spring rain.

Next, clear any debris from the top of the cover before removing it. Give it a thorough rinse and let it air dry completely before storing it.

2. Inspect the Pool and Equipment

Check out the condition of your pool liner, pool tiles, pump, filter, and surrounding area to ensure there’s no damage that needs attention before connecting and starting your pool equipment.

3. Remove Winter Plugs and Reconnect Equipment

If everything looks good, remove all the plugs from the skimmers and return lines. Once you do that, you can place the skimmer basket and install the return eyeball fitting on the return lines. Double check that all connections are securely fastened around your water pump and filter.

4. Refill Water to Proper Level

If your pool water level is below the mid-skimmer guideline arrow, fill it with fresh water. This will ensure the water can reach your equipment.

5. Remove Debris from the Pool

While you’re adding water to your pool, skim any debris, leaves, and bugs from your pool and skimmers. This will ensure the water runs freely through your pool system without any obstacles.

6. Start the Pump and Filtration System

Before you run your pump and filtration system, you need to prime the pump and bleed the air. Remove the pump lid, use your water hose, and run water through the pump for about two to three minutes or until the pump is filled with water. Close it tightly when done.

To bleed the air, open the filter air valve slightly and turn on the pump. When water starts coming out of the air valve, close it tightly. You’re set; let the system run continuously.

7. Test and Balance Water Chemistry

This is one of the most crucial steps when opening a pool. You want to make sure you have balanced chemical levels that are safe to swim in.

First off, apply a metal-removal chemical to reduce any metal buildup during the winter. This usually comes with any pool opening kit. After the water has filtered for a while, test the water to balance the alkalinity first, then the pH.

Ideal ranges:

pH: 7.4–7.6
Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm

8. Brush and Vacuum the Pool

Once your system is running, brush the walls and bottom of the pool thoroughly to remove any algae buildup. You should do this before adding any shock.

9. Shock the Pool

Now, it is time to shock the pool. (FYI: Shock is basically chlorine.) Follow the manufacturer's instructions and apply the recommended amount of shock around the pool, and let it do its work. The shock will kill bacteria and algae and clean your water. Additional chemicals, such as a water clarifier, an algaecide, and a stain remover, might be included in your opening pool kit.

10. Run the Filter

At this point, you’re done with all the tasks involved in opening a pool. Let the pool filter run constantly for 24 to 48 hours. Depending on the state of your pool, you’ll start seeing the water getting clear within hours.

Tip: Backwash (clean) the filter once or twice a day if your pool has heavy algae and debris.

How Long Does It Take to Open a Pool?

The average time it takes to get the pool from closed to swimmable is between one and three days. It all depends on how much work the pool needs. Pools with lots of debris, algae, and cloudy water will take up to three days to be fully crystal clear and ready to swim in. That’s why it is important to open your pool at least a week before the first time you’re planning to swim in it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Opening a Pool

Opening a pool may seem like a straightforward process, and it is, but you have to make sure you don’t make these mistakes.

Turning on the pool pump before the water level is around the middle of the skimmer lines.
Failing to conduct a thorough inspection of the pool and equipment to identify any issues.
Adding and adjusting chemicals too quickly or in the wrong order. (Pro tip: Always adjust the alkalinity levels first, before the pH.)
Waiting until the last minute or opening your pool too late, which can lead to an algae bloom.
Not running the pump long enough. After adjusting the chemicals and shocking the pool, the filter should run for 24 to 48 hours straight. This ensures the chemicals and shock work properly.
Forgetting to secure the pool ladder and tighten the slide and diving board nuts, if any.

Pro Tips for Opening Your Pool Faster

Want to have a smooth pool opening? Here’s what experts recommend:

Test your water and see what chemicals you need. “The most important readings are chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, cyanuric acid, and calcium hardness,” explains Meece.
Thoroughly check your water pump and filter.
Open before the temperatures get too warm to avoid algae growth and the last-minute pool-opening rush if you plan to hire a company.
Use a pool opening kit. If you’re comfortable opening your pool yourself, a pool opening kit will save time and comes with clear instructions about when and how to apply the chemicals.
Run the filter continuously for the first 48 hours. Don’t skip this step.
If your pool has had a major algae buildup, brush daily until the water clears.
“Standing water, leaf litter, and overgrown grass can create ideal environments for mosquitoes and ticks,” notes Meece, so it is important to keep the pool area clean, too.

Should You Hire a Professional Pool Opening Service?

Hiring a professional pool opening service will give you peace of mind, knowing all the work will be taken off your plate, including balancing the pool chemicals, ensuring the pump and filter work properly, and removing the cover properly. All you need to do is wait until your pool is ready to swim in. However, if you’re comfortable doing the work, opening a pool on your own is doable.

When you hire a professional pool opening service, you can expect to pay $200 to $500, Meece says. The exact price will depend on your location, pool size, and pool features. On the other hand, if you open the pool yourself, a pool opening kit costs between $45 to $75, plus all the time you’ll need to properly clean the pool.

That said, if your pool is green, there is visible damage that needs repair, and you don’t have time to open the pool, hiring a pro is the best option.

FAQs

What is the fastest way to open a pool after winter?

Opening a pool is more than removing the cover, adjusting the chemicals, and adding shock. How long it takes for the water to clear up depends on many factors, such as the level of algae buildup, amount of cloudiness, and the size of the pool. You can expect your pool to be ready for swimming in two to three days. That’s why it is important to plan ahead.

Can I open my pool too early?

Experts recommend opening your pool once outside temperatures consistently hit 70 degrees (F) or higher during the day. However, if you have a pool heater or don’t mind cold temperatures, you can use electricity to run the system and open your pool once nighttime temperatures are not below 32 degrees (F).

Why is my pool still cloudy after opening?

It takes about 48 hours or more for the water to be fully clear. If you’re experiencing cloudy water after a few days, it could be due to one of many causes. The filter system may not be working properly, the chlorine levels could be low, the alkalinity and pH levels could be imbalanced, or you have an algae problem. To fix the problem, ensure your filter is working as intended, test your water again, adjust the chemistry, and shock your pool again.

How much does it cost to open a pool?

The average cost to open a pool with a professional service is $200 to $500. If you DIY, it will cost $45 to $75. The actual cost will depend on where you live, the type of pool you have, and its size.