If there’s one thing that we look forward to all winter, it’s when we can open our pools back up and get back to swimming. But that begs a question - how do you know when it’s time to open up your pool? There’s no set answer - it varies state by state and year by year.
There are always benefits - and disadvantages! - to opening your pool too early or too late in the season. To save you time and money, we have come up with some signs to look out for before you start opening up your pool this year.
You should open your pool when the outside temperature is consistently above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This can differ vastly between states and even counties - but you know your local climate best. Even if that’s still too chilly for you to swim, it’s warm enough for algae to start growing and it is best to catch algae early to prevent it from further spreading.
It can be useful to check historical weather reports for your area, checking the average temperatures throughout the year. Depending on where you live, it might hit 70 degrees sooner than you think.
If you’ve left it a little too late and your pool water is starting to turn green, then we have a guide on how best to get rid of algae.
Also depending on where you live, you might notice pollen clumping up in large quantities on your windshield or the sidewalk. Now imagine what that pollen is doing to your stagnant pool water if you have a mesh cover - or if pollen gets under your cover in other ways! The best way to avoid this is to keep your winter cover drained using a cover pump and keep it in place to collect water and fallen pollen. This means you’ll have to do the least amount of work and avoid adding extra chemicals to make up for the pollen contaminants, extra cleaning, and circulation you might need to do to keep up with falling pollen and other seeds (especially helicopter seeds).
Do you have a birthday or other kind of party planned? Don’t leave it until the week before the party - instead plan on opening the pool at least 3 weeks before you start swimming. This will help you troubleshoot any problems with equipment that have arisen over the winter, as well as balance your water chemistry properly.
If everything goes well, then the opening process can be simple. However, some issues can leave your pool green or cloudy. If that’s the case, then check out our guides on how to clear up your pool water. Remember, if you need help with anything and it's something that our blogs don't cover, our customer service can answer any questions at 1.800.356.3025. We are open Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm and Sat - Sun 9am - 5:30pm during the pool season.
This goes hand in hand with planning but is an extra step to consider. You know your pool best. If you live in a place that experiences harsh winter weather, if your pool is older, or if you didn’t winterize properly (it happens to us all). Keep all these factors in mind when you’re planning to open up this season.
National Pool Opening Day happens every year on the last Saturday in April. This lines up with the fact that most people in the U.S. open their pools between May 1st and May 15th, just before Memorial Day weekend.
Make sure that you get everything ready before you open your pool, factor in the fact that everyone else will be buying their supplies too. If you want to beat the rush, prepare early even if you’re not opening your pool until later.
