Many people choose to have a professional install their new pool but aren’t likely to be aware of what’s happening in the process; just look forward to the final result when it’s time to jump in. Open to learn how to open an above-ground pool.
You might become more familiar as you develop a maintenance and upkeep routine with the system and after shutting it down at the end of the season.
But once “opening day” comes, you need to be prepared for the steps it takes to get things back up and to run efficiently and safely for those who will use it. Again, experts are always willing to provide guidance and the CDC or “Center For Disease Control and Prevention” has guidelines for you to follow as well.
Do You Have The Supplies To Open Your Above-Ground Pool For The Season?
The first thing to make sure of is that you have adequate materials to open your above-ground pool for the season. You can find pool supplies for sale online to achieve a budget-friendly price point. That’s particularly important if you’re starting from scratch.
In most cases, the installation was done professionally with you handling maintenance and the end-of-season shutdown, so you’re likely relatively familiar with the equipment. Still, opening day is a new concept. It’s merely a matter of incorporating a few basic steps as follows:
** Engage the Filter
You should read the manufacturer’s instructions relating to the filter and turn it on following those guidelines. Make sure that it’s functional and adequately set up without leaking. If there are noticeable problems, contact the manufacturer or the professionals who installed the system to help troubleshoot the issue. In some cases, the pool store where you bought the model might be willing to look at it if troubleshooting doesn’t satisfy the problem.
** Skim / Vacuum All Debris
When removing the cover and filling it with water, there was likely debris landing in the interior that needs vacuuming from the floor to prevent damage from the liner. A skimmer is also a tool you can use to take the floating particles out from the top of the water.
It’s important to get any sizable pieces out to prevent these from working their way towards the filter. Large chunks bumping up against the unit trying to get through could do damage, ultimately creating a need for repair or, in worse cases, a need for replacement. Make sure to keep up with cleaning the water regularly and keep the pool covered at all times when not in use.
** Have the Water Tested Or Test Yourself More Than Once
Local companies will test the water for you or do it yourself if you feel comfortable doing so, but you’ll need test strips for the process or a kit. The water needs to be chemically in balance according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Until that time, no one can use the pool.
The chlorine should be tested at least two times in any given day or more if you’re using it heavily. The chemical kills germs with recommendations from the CDC to use “one to ten parts per million” and the pH “between 7.2 and 7.8” for the swimmers’ comfort.
The suggestion is to allow these chemicals to do their circulation a couple of hours before testing again to ensure balance and allow swimming if everything is aligned.
Final Thought
A good practice when you’re a new pool owner is to participate in pool safety training in an effort to prevent drownings or potential chemical injuries, an unfortunate common pool occurrence.
Drowning in a pool is the number one reason for child deaths for kids from a year old up to four. Close monitoring from an adult is mandatory with all children regardless of age or capability in the water, making sure to remain within reach of the kids and not engrossed in another activity (perhaps a smartphone).
Getting everyone in swim classes is wise so that each person learns to maneuver in the water. When you invest in a pool, further that investment with alarms on doors and windows so that you know when a child sneaks outside to check on the water and make that area as inaccessible as possible for kids, with an ideal scenario being a locked fence around the perimeter. Go to https://hgtv.com/design/design-blog/outdoors/ways-to-design-around-an-above-ground-pool/ for ways to design around an above-ground pool, ultimately making it less accessible for a child.
Give kids caps, goggles, and instructions on protecting them from chemical injuries. Make it clear; the water is not for ingestion. If it gets inside the mouth, spit it out. As the owner, it’s a significant commitment and a great responsibility, particularly when you have children. Make sure to take safety to the extreme.