How To Open Your Inground Swimming Pool - Easy Steps

Opening an Inground pool for the first time can seem like a pretty daunting task, but it really isn't as difficult as you might think.

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If you have a tarp or covering over your pool, that has to come off. A cover is not all that important unless you have a lot of trees around that tend to have leaves fall into the water. Other than that, leave the tarp off. It saves you a ton of work in the spring. You'll have to use a pump to drain the water off your cover, then you can remove it. I always found that chore to be the most time consuming and that is what you are really paying a company to do -- to stand there while the water drains off your pool tarp and then fold it up nicely into a small package when you can do it yourself if you're able. Save yourself $200.

For those who don't have a tarp, you should have your pool running in less than 60 minutes.

Easy Steps To Follow:

Step 1: Remove the drain plug off the side of your pump to let the antifreeze run out into a bowl. Replace the drain plug.
Step 2: Remove the cap at the bottom of your sand filter to allow excess water to drain out onto the ground. Replace the cap.
Step 3: Take the small skimmer plug (photo) out to let the water flow down through the skimmer into your hose line. Store the skimmer plug until the fall season.
Step 4: Remove the cover plugs (photo) - one from each end of the pool. You'll have to get your arms wet for this task.
Step 5: Screw the Pressure gauge (photo) back into place. Screw the small water filter jar (photo) into place. (See photo of backwash hose)
Step 6: Remove the pressure lid from the top of your pump. Fill with water and seal the lid back on. It's a wise thing to have two people involved at this point but not a requirement. It just speeds things up that much faster.
Step 7: Turn the pool switch to on. You will see water begin to suck into the pump. You may have to repeat Step 6 again if you don't find the pressure coming up.
Step 8: Now its time to direct the water circulation around the pool. Turn off the pool switch. Insert the eyes (no photo - they are in the pool) into the jets at each end of the pool. These eyes are manually screwed in to the pool jets and should be directed to the left so that your pool water can circulate properly. Now turn the pool switch back on.
Step 9: You pool now must be shocked. Add several cups of chlorine Shock to a pail full of water. Stir until mixed. Disperse the Shock into the pool as you walk slowly around the sides. After a day, you must do a backwash for several minutes and then a rinse from your sand filter. (connect backwash hose as in photo - secure hose with clamp) Shock the pool again and repeat the backwash and rinse cycle. Add chlorine pucks as needed into your skimmer.
10: After the pool has cleared, read the directions on the algaecide bottle and again walk around the pool adding the algaecide as per directions.

If the pool does not clear in 48 hours, purchase a package of clarifier from a pool supply store and follow the directions on the package.

This seems like quite a long chore, but it actually takes less than a hour. Your pool should turn from green (if you don't have a winter tarp) to a aqua blue the second day. It will take up to four days to really see a major difference in clarity.

On the fifth day, put your trunks on and dive in. Have a great pool season!