How to Prepare Your Pool for the Season

A Step-by-Step Guide from Evo Pool Service

As the weather warms up and the days grow longer, pool owners everywhere start thinking about one thing: opening their pools for the season. At Evo Pool Service, we know that getting your pool ready for the summer isn’t just about pulling off the cover and jumping in. It’s a careful process that ensures your pool is clean, safe, and ready for months of fun and relaxation.

Here’s a detailed look at what goes into opening a pool, what you can expect from us, and how long it typically takes.

Why Proper Pool Opening Is Important

Opening your pool properly isn’t just about clear water – it’s about ensuring your pool is safe and your equipment is working efficiently. Without the right steps, you could be facing murky water, damaged equipment, or even safety hazards. That’s why Evo Pool Service follows a thorough, step-by-step process that guarantees a smooth and successful start to your swimming season.

Step 1: Scheduling Your Pool Opening

Timing is everything. We recommend scheduling your pool opening a few months before your desired date. This helps you secure your preferred appointment and avoids the seasonal rush.

Why Schedule Early?
• You’ll have peace of mind knowing your pool will be ready exactly when you need it.
• Our team can better accommodate your schedule, especially during peak season.

Tip: If you plan to open your pool for a special event or party, consider scheduling the opening at least three weeks in advance to ensure everything is just right.

Step 2: Preparing for Our Arrival

Before we arrive, there are a few important things to do to make the process smooth and efficient.

Filling the Pool – Essential for Both Mesh and Solid Covers

Regardless of whether you have a mesh or solid pool cover, filling the pool before our arrival is crucial. Here’s why and how to do it properly:

For Mesh Safety Covers:

Mesh safety covers allow rain and snowmelt to naturally pass through the cover and fill the pool over the winter. To prevent the water level from rising too high, Evo Pool Service installs automatic pumps that sit under the mesh cover and continuously pump water out.

Important Reminder:
• Before filling the pool, you must disconnect or turn off this automatic pump.
• Why? If the pump remains connected, it will continue to pump out all the water you add, leading to delays and wasted water.
• How to Disconnect: The pump is typically connected to an electrical outlet with a cord that runs underneath the cover. You can easily unplug it from the outlet to stop the pumping action.
• Tip: Start filling the pool at least 24 hours before our scheduled visit to ensure the water level is adequate for priming the pump and filtration system.

Why Proper Water Level Matters:
• The water level is essential for starting and checking the pool equipment for proper operation.
• We need enough water in the pool to prime the pump and ensure the filtration system is working correctly.
• Recommended Water Level: Fill the pool to about halfway up the tiles or to the middle of the skimmer for optimal filtration and equipment testing.

For Solid Pool Covers:

Solid covers keep debris out but the water level can drop significantly during winter because it is intentionally lowered during pool closing.

Why Do We Lower the Water Level for Solid Covers?
• When water freezes, it expands, which can put pressure on the pool tiles and cause them to crack or become dislodged.
• To prevent frozen water from pressing on the tiles and damaging them, we lower the water level when closing the pool.
• This is a crucial step for proper winterization and protects the pool’s structure and tile work.

Refilling the Pool Before Opening:
• Why It’s Important: Proper water level is necessary for starting and checking the equipment for proper operation.

• No Pump Disconnection Needed: If you have an automatic pump on top of the solid cover, you don’t need to disconnect it because it only removes water from the cover itself, not from the pool underneath.
• Recommended Water Level: Just like with mesh covers, fill the pool to about halfway up the tiles or to the middle of the skimmer.

Step 3: Removing and Cleaning the Pool Cover

After a long winter, the pool cover is often covered in leaves, dirt, and even standing water. Our team carefully removes the cover to prevent debris from falling into the pool.

What We Do:
• Drain Excess Water: We remove any water sitting on the cover to make the removal easier.
• Gentle Removal: Our team carefully pulls the cover off, making sure nothing falls into the water.
• Basic Cleaning and Storage: We place the cover on the side, brush off debris, rinse it, and let it dry before folding and storing it.

Important Note:
• Normal Pool Opening includes cleaning debris and larger items from the cover.
• If you want a deep cleaning of the cover, please request this service separately when scheduling.

Why It’s Important: Proper cover removal protects the water from contamination and helps keep your pool cleaner from the start.

Time Needed: This step takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on the size and type of cover.

Step 4: Reconnecting and Inspecting Equipment

Once the cover is off, it’s time to reconnect all the equipment that was winterized and inspect everything for proper function. This includes the pump, filter, heater, and any other pool accessories.

What We Do:
• Reconnect Equipment: We carefully reconnect all the hoses, pipes, and electrical components.
• Inspect and Test: We test the pump, filter, and heater to make sure they’re working efficiently.
• Check for Maximum Efficiency: We ensure that all equipment is working properly and at maximum efficiency to avoid any issues during the season.
• Automation Systems: If your pool has automation systems, we check that they are updated and set up properly for seamless control and functionality.
• Lubrication and Seals: We check and lubricate all o-rings and seals to prevent leaks.

Why It’s Important: Properly functioning equipment is key to maintaining clean and safe pool water throughout the season.

Time Needed: This process takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the complexity of the system.

Get Your Pool Ready for the Season with Evo Pool Service!

Don’t let unexpected issues or murky water delay your fun. Contact Evo Pool Service today to schedule your pool opening and enjoy a worry-free start to the season.

Call us today or book your appointment!