Pool Opening & Closing Instructions

Below you will find some helpful instructions on opening and closing your own above ground or in ground pool.

Above Ground Pool Opening
  1. Use submersible pump or syphon method to drain water off the winter cover.
  2. Remove winter cover trying to keep debris out of pool.
  3. Reinstall any hoses to the pool and equipment.
  4. Replace all drain plugs on pump, filter, heater, and chlorinator.
  5. Replace pressure gauge, return eyeballs, skimmer baskets, and weir door.
  6. Start adding water to the pool. Watch for any leaks in equipment.
  7. Clean scum line around the pool with a pool grade cleaner.
  8. Clean winter cover. Put cover care on winter cover, roll up tightly and store wet for summer.
  9. Put all winterizing parts in a box clearly marked as “pool parts”.
  10. When water level is up make sure the filter is in filter position and then start the pump.
  11. Install ladder.
  12. Put algaecide and shock in pool as recommended.
  13. Have one last check that everything has been done and there are no leaks.

Remember: have your water tested after the pool has been running for a few days.

Above Ground Pool Closing
  1. Have your pool water tested for proper balance 1 week before.
  2. Clean your sand filter every second or third season.
  3. Vacuum pool as clean as possible, removing all leaves.
  4. Backwash your filter for 2–5 minutes and then start to drain the pool. Drain 2 inches below the skimmer and return. Carry on with next items while pool is draining.
  5. Clean scum line around pool with pool grade cleaner.
  6. Remove all return eyeballs, skimmer basket, and weir door.
  7. When water level is at proper winterizing level, remove all drain plugs from pump, filter, heater, and chlorinator. Remove all pressure gauges and baskets.
  8. Reinstall plugs in filter and pump when all water has drained from them. Put pool grade antifreeze in pump and with filter in backwash position, lid off pump, turn on pump for a few seconds. When done, put filter handle between any two positions and leave. Put lid back on pump loosely.
  9. Remove all hoses from pool and equipment.
  10. Put all parts and hoses in a box which is clearly marked as pool parts.
  11. Put algaecide and shock in pool as recommended.
  12. Put winter cover into pool tightly, then put 1–2 inches of water on top of cover to hold.
  13. Have one last check that everything has been done.

Remember: check your pool throughout the winter to see that the cover is on and the water level is not dropping.

In Ground Pool Opening

We will…

  1. Empty water tubes around the pool, brush lightly (as they can be brittle) and roll it up.
  2. Remove leaves from winter cover and put in bags, place at the side of the house, the street, or as you direct.
  3. Remove winter cover from pool.
  4. Clean scum line around pool with a pool grade cleaner.
  5. Remove all wintering plugs and foam rope if used.
  6. Install all ladders, diving board, lights, and slide tubing.
    Install all return eyeballs, skimmer basket, and weir door.
    Install all plugs in pump, filter, heater, and chlorinator.
    Install all pressure gauges and pump baskets.
  7. Prime pump, ready for you to turn on switch when water level is up.
  8. Scrub clean the winter cover, put cover care on winter cover and roll up.
  9. Gather up all loose parts, tubes, and blanket and put them together for you to store.
  10. Put 1 litre of Mursatt 4LG and 1kg of Lite Shock in a pool.

You will…

  1. Fill up your pool and start pump when water is up.
  2. Call store if pump is not priming or if there are any leaks.
  3. Vacuum pool unless weekly maintenance customer.
  4. Light pool heater pilot, as per TSSA regulations.

Have your pool water tested after the pool has been running for a few days.

In Ground Pool Closing

We will…

  1. Backwash your filter for 2–5 minutes, then begin to drain below returns.
  2. Start filling water tubes in place around the pool. Water tubes should only be filled 1/2 to 2/3 full of water.
  3. Clean scum line around pool with pool grade cleaner.
  4. Remove all ladders, diving board, light, and slide tubing.
    Remove all return eyeballs, skimmer baskets, and weir door.
    Remove all plugs from pump, filter, heater, and chlorinators.
    Remove all pressure gauges and pump baskets.
  5. Blow out return lines, vacuum lines, and plugs.
  6. Put rope in main drain line and plug.
  7. Suck water out of skimmer and suction line. Then put in pool grade antifreeze in line, then plug.
    Always using a gizmo or styrofoam or empty container in skimmer.
    Then put in around one litre of antifreeze.
  8. Reinstall plugs in filter and pump.
    Put rest of the antifreeze in pump and filter. put all lids back on loosely.
  9. Gather up all loose parts and put them together.
  10. Put Musratt 4LG and Lite Shock in pool as recommended.
  11. Inspect winter cover for holes (repair if possible, or replace).
    Place on pool putting about an inch of water on the top of the cover.
  12. Put cover care on solar cover and roll up.

You will…

  1. Have your pool water tested for proper balance 1 week before.
  2. Vacuum pool as clean as possible, removing all leaves.
  3. Have garden hose, winter cover, tubes, and plugs out and ready.

Remember: offline chlorinators and pressure gauges must be stored in a warm place. Check your pool throughout the winter to see that the cover is on and that the water level is not dropping.

Request Pool Opening or Closing

Fill out our easy online booking form to request your pool opening or closing each season.

Need more help?

Contact us or stop by the store and allow our experienced staff to assist you with all your backyard living needs including free water testing.