5 Steps to Opening Pool Day

If you’re a pool owner, you’re probably (very) patiently waiting for opening day!

While you stare longingly at your pool cover and curse the Groundhog for six more weeks of winter, it’s never too early to make your checklist so you have everything ready for that day.

So forget spending your time wondering what could be and prepare for your big opening day with our Watson’s pool checklist!

Before you even get to the pool essentials, do yourself a favor for closing day and take off and properly clean your pool cover. Make sure you remove any debris before removing the cover so nothing falls into the water. No one wants to clean up more than necessary!

Leaf blowers are great to use before you remove the cover and clean it to get off all the debris like dirt and leaves.

Sometimes even your best efforts don’t go as planned and you may need to skim the water for large debris that into the pool.

Clean the scum line at the water level and use a pool opening kit like our Aqua Smarte Plus Pool Awake kit. This 3-step system can get your pool up and ready to dive into within 24 hours. This system will remove unwanted contaminants with Shine, ensure chlorine levels are perfect with Optimize, and finish this easy set-up with Cannonball to prevent algae.

Essential Pool Cleaning Tools:

• Pool skimmer
• Pool vacuum
• Pool brush
• Telescopic pole
• Good hose
• Leaf blower

Not sure what you're dealing with when you begin to clean and check over your pool? Check out our guide to troubleshooting common pool problems. 

Make sure filters are properly hooked up and cleaned along with the main drain and skimmers. Check to see if filter sand should be changed, which should be every year if it holds less than 200lbs.

Make sure all o-seals and gaskets are tight and everything is well lubed for optimum maintenance and to eliminate leaks or breaks. Do a thorough check of all elements and seals to ensure nothing is broken or cracked and replaced if necessary.

Check cartridges as well to see if those need replaced and do so accordingly.

If you need to, which typically happens, you’ll need a good hose to fill the water level up after cleaning initially. For some pools, depending on how you closed, it may need to be filled for hours.

In addition to filling, it’s also a good idea to test your water. Sitting water can change over the course of a few months, so avoid prolonging jumping into that crystal clear pool and have test kits on hand to check.

When testing, it’s a good idea to have balancers on hand in case you need to adjust the alkalinity and PH levels.

If you have a pool cleaner, make sure that filter, bag, and canister are good or if they need to be replaced. Your pool cleaner will certainly have its work cut out for it for the first few weeks after opening.

In addition to the above checklist, there’s a few extras that are always a good idea to have on hand not knowing what you may be confronted with when cleaning.

Extras To Have On Hand

1. Toolbox with wrenches, drivers, pliers, screwdrivers, and
2. Box to house all your winterizing parts (trust us, you’ll thank as at closing time)
3. Extra cartridges
4. Teflon tape and lube
5. Threaded plugs
6. Pressure washer

Once your pool is open and ready to enjoy, don't forget about your maintenance throughout the season. Check out this blog with 8 pool care maintenance tips!

For all your current and future pool needs, from selection to spring cleaning and everything in between, Watson’s has the best pool, spa, and hot tub selection to create the perfect outdoor oasis this spring and summer!