If you do not use your pool year-round, then you will likely winterize and close it for the colder months of the year. If this is the case, then when the weather warms up, you will want to get your pool ready for use again. This process is known as opening the pool for the season and may be simple or involved depending on how long the pool has been closed and what condition it is in.
Many people choose to open their pool themselves, spending around $50 on chemicals and needing an extra pair of hands for the heavier work. Others prefer a professional opening, which costs about $225 on average for a 12x24-foot inground pool.
There is no set time to open a pool. Depending on where you live, you may not winterize it entirely, only keeping it covered when not in use. In other areas, you may not open it until the summer is actually underway.
A good rule of thumb is to open the pool when the ground is no longer frozen, no threat of freezing weather, and you plan on using the pool within the next few weeks. The pool may take time to get the correct PH balance, be cleaned properly, and warm up enough to be comfortable to use.
Keep in mind that if you hire a professional you may want to book them slightly earlier in the season. This is due to the demand that follows when the weather warms up. If you do not schedule early enough, you may need to wait longer to open the pool than you wanted.
The opening process is fairly simple but varies from pool to pool. Your pool professional will clean and remove the cover, storing it for later. They skim the bulk of the debris from the top of the pool and remove any winter plugs. They lubricate the fittings and get everything in working order before adding more water to the pool. At this point, they will likely scrub down the pool walls and floor. If the pool was closed for a period of time, this process could take longer. A pool that was kept closed a short time may have little to clean.
The filter will be run to clear the remaining debris, and the water will be tested. Depending on how off the PH is, the pool may need to be shocked with extra chlorine 1 or simply need some balancing from the chemicals. This may take one to several tests to get right. Finally, the professional should help get your accessories back in order, including ladders, slides, and diving boards.
Most pool professionals charge by the job, which includes the size of the pool and how much physical cleaning it needs, averaging $225. If the pool has a lot of algae growth and requires additional chemicals and scrubbing, your costs will be higher, being closer to $400 to open the pool. For the average pool that was winterized properly, the labor portion is around $175 to $200, with chemicals making up the difference.
Opening a saltwater pool is a lot like opening a standard chlorine 1 pool. The biggest difference is in the timing. A saltwater pool needs to run for a minimum of 12 hours after opening to let the water circulate and the salt do its job. Then, the water can be tested and treated if necessary. Otherwise, the process is similar for the two pools.
If your pool is in poor condition, it may need to be vacuumed again after opening. This is due to sediment or debris settling at the bottom of the pool. Most professionals vacuum the pool as a part of the opening process, but if you open it yourself, you may want to invest in a pool vacuum for around $300 to $500.
Your pool specialist will likely shock your pool to kill any algae or bacteria that grew over the winter. You may need to purchase some additional chemicals to help balance out the chemicals after the initial shock. This costs between $20 and $30 on average.
This depends largely on where you live, but most people find they can open their pool in May or June.
Your pool should be shocked the first time you open it to kill any bacteria or algae.
Usually, three bags of chlorine 1 are necessary to shock a pool.
The chemical selection varies from pool to pool but usually consists of a scale remover, shock, a PH balancer, chlorine 1 tablets, stabilizers, and algaecides. You should purchase a test kit to find out exactly what your pool needs
Cost to open a pool varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.