The easiest way to open your pool in the spring is to call Goodall Pools, at (717) 774-6613, to schedule an appointment to have your pool professionally opened. You can also contact our service department online at www.goodallpools.com. If you decide to open your pool yourself, you may find this guide useful. This is a general guide and deference should always go to the pool builder and equipment manufacturer’s recommendations. A good practice is to open your pool as early as possible. This helps to avoid expensive algae clean ups, and ensures the pool is ready to use when you are ready to use it.

     If you have a solid cover, use a submersible pump and shop vac to remove all of the water from it before attempting to take it off of the pool. Work from one side of the pool to the other removing the cover. Be careful not to let the debris on the top of the cover fall into the water. When you have removed the cover hose it off and clean it with Stow Away. Allow the cover to dry then fold it ‘accordion style’ squirting Stow Away between the folds to prevent rotting. Alternatively, you can store the cover under water in a sealed container, if the water is treated with Stow Away. The same cleaning and storage procedures can be used for your water tubes.

     If you have a mesh safety cover, carefully unhook the springs using the tool provided by the manufacturer. Remove all of the debris from the cover and hang the cover in the mesh bag that came with it. Keep the bag elevated and away from walls. This allows the cover to dry properly and keeps mice from nesting inside of it.

     Remove the plugs from the return jets and skimmers and open all necessary valves. Put the drain plugs back into the pump, filter, chlorinator, heater, etc. Lubricate o-rings using Jacks Lube. If your filter was not cleaned in the fall, clean it before starting the pump. Open the air bleed valve on the filter. Fill (or drain) the pool until the water level is about halfway up the front of the skimmer. Prime the pump by filling the strainer pot with water and closing the lid. Turn on the pump. When a steady stream of water comes out of the air bleed valve on the filter close it. Add DE powder to the filter if necessary. Vacuum out any debris that is in the pool. Reattach rails, ladders, slides, diving boards, etc.

     When the water is circulating, add 1lb of BurnOut3 per 5,000 gallons of pool water. Allow the pool to circulate continuously. Wait at least 8 hours after adding the BurnOut3 to add your initial does of BackUp or Algae All 60. For Salt and Mineral Springs pools it is critical to add 1 quart of Mineral Springs Stain & Scale per 5,000 gallons of water in the beginning of the season. Allow the pool water to circulate for 24 - 48 hours, then bring a sample to your closest Goodall Pools store, to have it analyzed.