Spring Swimming Pool Opening Guidline1. Remove the cover and clean it. (Remove the leaves and debris from the pool cover) Pump off any excess rain water with a submersible pump Try to minimize the amount of water and debris that gets into the pool water.  Some dirty cover water will always get in!

Clean off cover and allow the cover to dry before folding and storing it for the summer. fan-folding the cover will make it faster and easier to put the cover on when it's time to close the pool. If you are storing the cover in a shed or garage we reccomend putting a Mouse A Way pouch in the storage bag to deter mice from damaging the cover.

2. Remove the all the plugs in the pool and skimmers and replace return outlet fittings. Reinstall or reassemble the pump/s, filter,  skimmer baskets and return eyeball fittings, Ladders, diving board (Lubricate all bolts on the dive board, ladders and/or rails.  This will prevent them from rusting over the summer)  Lubricate all o-rings and use teflon tape on pipe threads.

3. Bring the water level up to normal level (the middle of the tile line or middle of skimmer opening.) Keep in mind you will need to add water to the pool every time you backwash the filter.

4. Turn on the power. Make sure circuit breakers, switches, and time clock trippers are in the normal operating positions.(You may have to turn on the circuit breaker from inside the house.)

5. Restart the circulation equipment (Prime the pump: fill the pump strainer basket with water, close the cover securely then start pump). Note your start up pressure on your pressure gauge on the filter. Look for leaks or drips. (Try tightening the fittings if you have a leak.)

Add new DE through the skimmer if you have a DE filter.

6. Clean the pool. Vacuum any debris out of the bottom. Skim the pool surface to remove floating debris. Brush the pool walls and tile line.

7. Shock the pool with  chlorine shock. You will want to add enough to raise the chlorine level of the pool to at least 3-5.0 ppm. (Don't throw shock directly into the pool ! You could bleach the liner or stain the surface. Add the granular shock chlorine into a bucket of water and then add that mixture into the skimmer while the system is running.)

8. Balance the water chemistry and check the levels frequently during the first few days.

9. Run the circulation system 24 hours straight for the first several days or until the water has cleared completely. The filter must be backwashed after a pressure gain of 10 psi (from your starting pressure) (back wash sand and DE filters) or clean you filter cartridge, Pressure can rise very rapidly during this period. Keep a close watch on your pressure!

10. Retest the water chemistry daily.

This article courtesy of www.everything4pools.com

If you can't repair the problem yourself, contact a local pool professional for assistance.