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Pool Start Up

Swimming pool start up procedures and easy to follow expert directions on opening a swimming pool for the Spring & Summer.

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pool start up,instructions opening pool,pool maintenance

Opening My Pool


A pool start up in the U.S. normally ranges between $175-$300. You can save a little time and money by doing some or all of the work yourself.

From personal experience, here's a good list for you to follow. It's pretty much the opposite of a swimming pool closing. These are the steps I take when I open pools for people here in Oregon.

For excellent pool opening supplies you can go to the pool supply store.


pool start up,instructions opening pool,pool maintenance


Here is a list of things you can do yourself to help lower the cost of opening your pool in the Spring:

  • Remove, clean, fold and store pool cover.
  • Testing water balance; adjusting calcium, Alkalinity and pH levels
  • Replacing stored items; ladders, auto cleaner, baskets, plugs, gauges, etc.
  • Inspect and test electrical service to pumps, lights, heaters, etc. Load testing.
  • Lube plugs, fittings, valves and o-rings.
  • Flood lines, prime-up, start-up and adjust filtration equipment.
  • Brush tiles and scrub skimmers with cleanser.
  • Blow off, then hose pool deck.
  • Skim pool surface. Vacuum pool to waste using portable vacuum equipment
  • Super chlorinate to breakpoint levels with liquid chlorine.
  • Brush pool walls and steps. Re-check chemical levels in 12-24 hrs, adjust as needed.Backwash filter if pressure gauge rises 8-10 lbs, or flow diminishes considerably.

    Use a good quality pool water test kit. I use and recommend the FAS-DPD K-2006 Taylor pool water test kit. Replace test kit reagents every Spring (annually) and follow pool water test instructions to obtain accurate results.

  • Remove and clean pool cover. fold it up and put away for the season
  • Test pool water balance and adjust calcium, alkalinity and pH levels
  • Replace items such as ladders, automatic cleaners, baskets,gauges, plugs, etc...
  • Inspect and test electrical parts and services to pumps, lights, heaters, etc...
  • Lubricate plugs, fittings, valves and o-rings.
  • check pipes, flood lines, prime-up, start-up and adjust filtration equipment
  • Brush tiles. Scrub skimmers with cleanser.
  • Sweep or blow off deck. Then hose off.
  • Skim the pool surface. Vacuum pool to waste. Be sure to keep an eye on the water level. Don't allow it to get below the skimmer.
  • Super chlorinate
  • Brush the pool walls and steps
  • Re-check chemical levels in 12-24 hrs. Adjust as needed.
  • Backwash filter if pressure gauge rises 8-10 lbs or if the flow is reduced

    At the beginning of the pool start up, remember to allow some time for the water to balance out. Take it slowly and add only add one chemical at a time. Raise the chlorine but don't use pool acid just yet. Allow for one full turnover (usually 12 hours) re-test, and make another adjustment if needed.


    Blue Wave Spring Pool Start-Up Kit


    Pool Start Up Chemicals Checklist:

    Make sure that you have...

    • Tile & Vinyl Cleaner
    • Winter Cover Cleaner
    • Metal Remover/Sequester (Revive, Sparkle Conquest)
    • pH Minus or Muriatic Acid
    • Calcium Hardness Increaser
    • Chlorine Shock Treatment
    • pH & Alkalinity Increaser/Sodium Bicarb.
    • PolyQuat Algaecide
    • Calcium Hardness Increaser
    • Conditioner & Stabilizer


    Pool Start Up Maintenance Checklist:

    Make sure that you have...

    • Leaf Rake
    • Vacuum Pole
    • Vacuum Head
    • Vacuum Hose
    • Vacuum Adapter for Skimmer
    • Hand Skimmer
    • Wall Brush
    • Thermomter
    • Timer for Pump and Filter
    • Automatic Cleaner


    Go To:


    Home From Pool Start Up


    What Other Visitors Have Said

    Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

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