{"id":2570,"date":"2021-04-07T09:07:32","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T13:07:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ljpools.com\/home\/?p=2570"},"modified":"2021-04-20T16:35:22","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T20:35:22","slug":"looking-to-open-your-pool-this-spring-read-this-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ljpools.com\/home\/looking-to-open-your-pool-this-spring-read-this-first\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking To Open Your Inground Pool? Read This First!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The arrival of spring brings back many of our favorite things, including a reemergence of plants and animals, increased day-light hours, and warmer temperatures. For pool owners, warm weather means it is time to start thinking about opening your pool! However, just because the sun is shining does not mean the pool is quite ready for swimmers. With just a small amount of work, however, you can be on your way to a clean, safe, healthy, and swim-ready pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Don’t want to worry about the hassle of opening your own pool? We’ve got you covered! Fill out the form below for a free quote on opening your pool this season!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Schedule Your Opening Service Here!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Drain And Clean Your Pool Cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Whether you have a winter cover or a solid safety cover, you will need to remove the excess water from the top prior to taking it off.  If there is a substantial amount of water, you may want to use a cover pump to help you with the process. Afterward, sweep or use a blower to remove all leaves and other debris from the cover because if you don\u2019t, whatever is sitting on the cover will wind up in your pool!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Remove Your Pool Cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When removing the pool cover, you may need help if you have a large pool or are working with a safety cover. If a little debris ends up in the pool, it’ll be OK since you will be vacuuming and then shocking the pool before you start swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Clean And Store Your Pool Cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After you remove the cover, lay it out, brush off any remaining dirt, spray it down, and then let it dry. When the cover is completely dry, sprinkle both sides with talcum powder or alkalinity plus to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Lastly, fold the cover loosely and store it in a cool, dry place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Raise Your Water Level Back To Normal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First, you should try using a garden hose to fill your pool back to its normal water level. This is typically at about the middle of the skimmer opening or halfway up the tile. If your water levels have fallen well below this and you have a well, we highly advise ordering a water delivery, that way your summer doesn\u2019t kick off with a dried up well! You can order a water delivery by filling out the Water Delivery Request Form on our website.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Reconnect the Pool Equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you prepared your pool for freezing temperatures, you will need to reconnect your pool equipment. This includes your filter, pump, heater, and anything else you may have had connected to your filtration system. For above ground pools, you will need to reconnect the flexible plumbing lines to the pool equipment and skimmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Remove The Winterizing Plugs from Your Skimmer and Return Lines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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REMEMBER: Don\u2019t forget to remove any winterizing plugs you used in your skimmer and return lines. Make sure to wait until after the antifreeze has drained before removing the plugs. Remember to reinstall the regular drain plugs in your pumps, filter, heater, and any other equipment. Now you can reconnect any return valve fittings that you removed last winter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Turn The System Back On<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turn your pool equipment back on. This includes priming the pump and turning on the circulation and filtration system. If you have an air relief valve on your filter, make sure to open it to bleed the air from the system. Once water spurts out, close the air relief valve. Check the equipment for leaks or unusual noises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Test The Pool Chemistry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Once the circulation system has been running for a few hours, test your pool water for pH, Total Alkalinity (TA), and Chlorine levels with a test kit or test strips. Ideal levels should be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n