Opening the Pool After Winter
We can officially say it: spring has finally opened its doors to the beautiful season, and summer is starting to "make itself felt."
There's a desire to relax in the sun, enjoy the mild temperatures, and dive into your own body of water, so...
It's time to reopen your pool! But how do you do it correctly?
Danny, your pool expert, has the answers.
Essential Operations for Opening the Pool:
- Removal of the winter cover;
- Restarting the filtration system;
- Checking water values;
- Shock treatment or superchlorination for water regeneration.
When is the right time to uncover the pool?
Spring certainly offers the right opportunity to remove the winter cover from the pool.
Before the days get too hot, to prevent algae from proliferating in overly warm water.
How to remove and store the winter cover?
For the winter cover to be removed from the pool, it must be dry, with no stagnant water deposits on top. For this reason, it is essential to use an automatic cover pump during winter.
If an automatic cover pump has not been used, stagnant water residues can be removed with a submersible pump before removing the cover.
At this point, we will need to empty and fold the perimeter tubes that we used to hold the cover in place. After these operations, even two people will be perfectly capable of removing the cover from the pool, folding it carefully and meticulously. Once removed from the pool, the winter cover should be washed, folded well, and stored in a dry, clean place, away from the heat of the sun.
How to start the filtration system?
First, we need to ensure that the filtration system and the main electrical panel are in excellent condition, just as we left them when we turned them off. Additionally, it is important to verify that the water level is at the optimal filtration point.
Based on your pool's filtration system, follow these steps:
After performing the steps described above, for both sand and cartridge filtration systems, you can proceed as follows:
- Allow the pool water to oxygenate for a couple of days without adding any chemicals, keeping the filtration system running for 24/48 consecutive hours;
- Simultaneously, let the robot cleaner work in the water;
- After two days, it is important to perform a test kit to verify that the water values meet the parameters. You can also check pH and chlorine with a Blue Connect digital analyzer, but from time to time, we recommend cross-checking with a manual test kit;
- If necessary, proceed with superchlorination treatment.
How to perform a pool opening shock treatment?
The essential chemicals for this operation will be: Diklor Shock Super, granular Ph Minus, Algastop, and a test kit to check water values.
Before proceeding, ensure that the water is at optimal values, meaning a pH between 7.2 and 7.6, and make sure the filtration system is running. Then proceed with the following instructions, keeping the system on for at least 48 hours.
Pour the shock dose indicated on the Diklor Shock Super granular package into a bucket and dilute with water before pouring into the pool.
While performing the shock chlorination, you can also pour in the Algastop anti-algae product, which will help prevent algae formation.
Every 2/3 hours, check the Ph value, which will easily rise with the massive dose of chlorine used, and adjust it using the granular Ph Minus product.
Again, follow the dosages indicated on the package and dilute the product in water before pouring it into the pool.
N.B. If you have a cartridge filtration system, remember to use only liquid chemicals for this treatment (specific disinfection kit for cartridge systems).
How to keep pool water clean after opening?
For water maintenance, the ideal product is Tablok Super, multifunction tablets that slowly release chlorine, algaecide, flocculant, and degreaser into the water.
I recommend weekly treatment of your pool water, checking and adjusting the pH as needed, and adding one Tablok Super tablet per 20 cubic meters of water.
In warmer weeks, also add liquid Algastop anti-algae.
As needed (after thunderstorms or many people swimming), perform shock treatments as in the pool opening phase.
Regularly backwash the filtration system.
Always use an electric robot cleaner to clean the pool; it will also help filter and oxygenate the pool water.
Do you have a saltwater pool? Here are our instructions for opening.
If your pool is saltwater-treated, the opening procedure is the same as a chlorine-treated pool, with the difference that you must first turn off the salt system and keep it off for about ten days after the shock treatment. After this period, you can turn the electrolysis system back on.
Watch our video showing the steps to follow: