Above Ground Opening Instructions

If you have an above ground pool, and it’s time to open it, you should really think about doing it yourself. Here are Above Ground Opening Instructions that tell you how to open an above ground pool is really easy. All you need is a friend, and the right supplies and it shouldn’t take you long at all. Or if you would like Teddy Bear Pools & Spas to open your pool and you live in Western Massachusetts or Northern Connecticut click here to contact us

What You Need:

• Pool cover pump
• Soft broom or skimmer net
• Teddy Bear cover cleaner
• Teddy Bear Pool Opening Kit

Clean Off the Winter Pool Cover

Remove all water, leaves and debris from the top of the cover. To remove the water you can use a submersible pool cover pump.

To remove the leaves and debris, use a soft broom or skimmer net. Anything sharp or harsh will damage the cover. The more debris you get off the cover now, the less debris that could fall into the water while removing the cover.

Remove the Winter Pool Cover

Carefully remove the cover without getting any extra debris that remains on the top of the cover into the pool. If some dirt and debris does get into the water, it’s not a problem. Using the proper cleaning equipment and chemicals later will sanitize and clean your pool.

Clean Your Winter Pool Cover and Store It

Lay the cover out on your lawn or nearby area. Use water, Teddy Bear cover cleaner and a brush to wash down and clean your cover. By doing this, you will ensure a longer life for your pool cover, which can be a hefty investment if you had to replace it.

If you are using water tubes to secure your winter cover to your deck, make sure you empty them and dry them out before storage.

Use a tightly covered plastic container to store you winter cover during the season. This will keep mice and other critters from making a nest or eating your cover.

Set Up Your Pump, Filter & Other Equipment

First, replace all the drain plugs, gauges, and other pieces to your filter system, pump and other equipment.

Then, connect all the hoses to your equipment.  Attaching a hose from your skimmer to your pump. Then attach your pump to your filter. From your filter attach a hose to your heater, chlorinator, or any other extra filter equipment. If you don’t have any, attach the hose directly to the return inlet.

If you have a multiport valve, make sure it’s turned to the Filter position.

Remove Winter Plugs and Skimmer Plates

Go around your pool and make sure all plugs are removed from any and all openings in your pool including the return jet and skimmer bucket.

Re-install all your skimmer baskets and eye-ball fittings into the return line.

TIP: If you used a skimmer plate or Aquadoor  over the winter, make sure you remove it before starting your filter system. Skimmer plates and Aquadoors are designed to keep water out of your skimmer during the winter. It also allows you to keep your pool filled.

Add Water to Your Pool (If Needed)

Depending on how you or someone else closed your pool, you may need to add water to your pool to bring it up to the proper level. See Winter Water Displacement

Make sure your pool is filled to the halfway point of your skimmer.

Re-install Your Deck Equipment

For an above ground pool, this includes the ladder

Start Up Your Pump & Filter

Turn on the power to your pool. At this point make sure the system starts up. Check for any leaks or drips, make sure the ground wires are properly connected to the pump.

TIP: If your pump is running dry, you may need to prime it. Shut off your filter system, remove the pump lid, and allowing water from your  swimming pool in,  (it is gravity feed) Put the pump lid back on quickly and tighten. This will give the pump the boost it needs to start pulling water  and start the system again.

TIP #2: Backwash your filter after you start your filter system up. It’s a good idea to start the season with a clean filter. After backwashing if you have a DE filter, add more fresh DE according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Clean Up Your Pool

Here’s the tough part. If your pool is clean and clear, congratulations! If it’s not, it’s time to get your hands dirty.

Before adding any start-up chemicals, you must clean your pool. This includes: brushing the walls and hard-to-reach places, vacuuming the pool floor and skimming the surface.

Cleaning a pool includes: vacuuming, skimming, and brushing. If you do these tasks every week, you will clean a swimming pool perfectly.

Add Start-Up Chemicals

Now it’s time to add the start-up chemicals. Adding the 3 products in the Teddy Bear Pools & Spas Pool Opening Kit (Shock, Algaecide & Clarifier), “We offer 2 kits one up to 15,000 Gallons and a second up to 30,000 Gallons”. Run you pool for 24 hours then take a sample of your pool water to Teddy Bear Pools & Spas and ask for a complete water test to get your pool water balanced.

After adding the proper balancing chemicals, if additional shocking is needed, follow the instructions given to you by our water testing Lab staff.

TIP: You should shock pools at dusk or night time to ensure a proper shocking.

And Finally with Above Ground Opening Instructions…

Let your pool run at least 24 hours and vacuum out any debris. Retest the water and if everything checks out…

For more detailed instructions view printable PDF: Click Here for PDF

If you would like the professionals from Teddy Bear Pools & Spas to open your pool and you live in Western Massachusetts or Northern Connecticut click here to contact us