On Your Mark, Get Set, Swim!!

It may have felt like an eternity, but we are finally approaching that exciting time of the year again that we like to call “Pool Season.”  In honor of the “Pool Season,” we would like to talk about the importance of opening your pool properly.  Some common questions we hear from customers are, “What does ‘opening your pool’ mean?”, “When is the right time to open my pool?”, and “What chemicals do I add at the opening?”.

When the pool water freezes solid, it is vital that in the Fall you “close” your pool by removing water from the lines, pump, and filter, in addition to plugging the return lines.  Because of our distinct Minnesota weather, we are left to decide when is a good time to “open” the pool for swimming. 

For a pool to be “open,” it must be filled to operating level, the pump circulating the water and the filter fully functional.  Once these steps have happened, you have an open pool!  A good rule in pool opening is to start circulating and filtering the water once the ice is off the lakes; this means opening your pool sometime in March or April for Minnesota.  Luckily, we have 10,000 lakes for reference!  Just remember, even though your pool is open and operating, does not mean it is ready for swimming.  To be swim-ready, your pool should be clean, and the water chemistry should be balanced.

When temperatures rise, and pool water is not being circulated or filtered, this makes superior conditions for algae growth.  Because of this, the use of chlorine and algaecide is essential.  After you have vacuumed and removed any debris from the bottom of the pool, now is a good time to balance the pH and alkalinity of the water.  Once those have been adjusted to the correct levels, you can add chlorine, or shock, and algaecide.  It is essential that the pH and alkalinity are within range for the other chemicals to work properly and sufficiently.

Call today to schedule your Professional Pool Opening! 763-524-9000

Watch Dolphin Pool & Spa’s YouTube video on pool openings here: