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America's Above Ground Pool Experts
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How To Open Your Above Ground Pool

Step-by-step instructions by The Pool Factory on how to open your swimming pool and how to chemically treat your swimming pool water.
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To open your above ground pool you will need the pool supplies listed below. The following instructions have been provided by The Pool Factory’s Above Ground Pool Experts.

Here are simple and easy-to-follow instructions for helping you prepare your swimming pool and chemically treat your swimming pool water for the upcoming season. These instructions apply to both above ground pools and semi inground pools.

Pool Shock
Pool Shock
Pool Algaecide
Pool Algaecide
Chlorine Stabilizer
Chlorine Stabilizer
Alkalinity Increaser & Decreaser
Alkalinity Increaser & Decreaser
PH Plus and PH Minus
PH Plus & PH Minus
Filter Media
Filter Media
Swimming Pool Test Kit
Pool Test Kit
Chlorine
Chlorine

Steps To Open Your Swimming Pool

Step 1

Remove the swimming pool cover.

Step 2

Connect your filter system to your swimming pool.

Step 3

Remove skimmer plate from the skimmer opening along the swimming pool wall and remove the winter plug from the pool return opening.

Step 4

Review the pool water level and add water to the swimming pool (if necessary).

Step 5

Perform a quick scrub of the inner pool walls as well as vacuum the swimming pool.

Step 6

Test the swimming pool’s water total Alkalinity Levels (adjust if necessary).

Step 7

Test the swimming pool’s water PH Level (adjust if necessary).

Step 8

Add swimming pool shock at a rate of 1 pound of powder per 5,000 gallons of pool water.

Step 9

Add pool algaecide at a rate of 12 ounces per 5,000 gallons of pool water.

Step 10

After allowing the chlorine level to decrease from shock (use test kit to make sure chlorine level is in the safe range), add a chlorine stabilizer at a rate of 1 LB per 5,000 gallons of pool water.

Step 11

Add extra concentrated chlorine at a rate of 1 OZ. per 5,000 gallons per day.

Following the instructions above on how to open your above ground pool should get your swimming pool ready for the season to come. If you have any questions during this process please use the Contact Us Form and our pool experts will get back to you as soon as possible.

About The Pool Factory

America’s Above Ground Pool Experts – is the best place to find everything you need to make owning a swimming pool fun and easy, at the best prices today. With a combined 50+ years of experience The Pool Factory employs a highly trained staff of above ground and semi inground pool specialists. The Pool Factory can provide unique solutions for all pool supplies and swimming pool needs.

COMMENTS 17
  • May 21, 2013 at 5:43 PM
    Allan Garcia

    I’m changing from baquacil to chlorine, no baquacil in pool, what is next?

    • May 22, 2013 at 8:38 PM

      Make sure all water containing Baquacil in the pool and the filter is removed. After filling with fresh water test and adjust the alkaline and PH levels. Next, add pool shock and run filter for 24 hours. After the chlorine level from the shock drops to a normal level you can then add chlorine according to your pool size.

  • May 28, 2013 at 2:38 PM
    Liz pagan

    Need installing guide for my 12 by 18 cameo oval pool

  • June 27, 2013 at 1:45 AM
    Amanda Morris

    I need installation instructions for the 27 foot round pool that I purchased from you in March. Specifically the pool pump installation instructions.

  • April 4, 2014 at 10:42 AM
    Tommy Dockery

    What are the estimated gallons in a 24 foot round pool?

  • July 6, 2014 at 7:58 PM
    Tammie Sasser

    We just got done building our above ground saltwater pool and need to know what to do next to start it. It’s filled up with water and ready to go.

    • July 7, 2014 at 10:57 AM

      Hi Tammie, for a 18×33 you will need to add 400lbs of salt.

      Any high purity Sodium Chloride Salt will work. Purity greater than 99% is recommended. It is usually available in 40-80lb bags and is the same product as food quality salt or water softener salt. Do not use Rock Salt, it is not very pure and hard to dissolve.

      You only need to add the full amount of salt for your pool size when you initially fill the pool, the salt stays in the water and keeps making chlorine. Only water loss will reduce the salt content, so you will need to check the salt level with a salt test kit and adjust as necessary

      Here are simple start up instructions for a Saltwater pool:
      1. Check the salt level with a salt test kit and adjust if necessary. Here is a link for Salt Test Kits
      2. Test the Ph and Alkaline levels and adjust if necessary. Here is a link for these pool chemicals.
      3. Add 1lb of Saltwater shock for every 5,000 gallons of pool water. Click here for pool shock.

      Weekly Maintenance
      1. Check the salt level with a salt test kit and adjust if necessary.
      2. Test the Ph and Alkaline levels and adjust if necessary

  • March 23, 2015 at 8:14 PM

    We are opening our pool for the spring early because we are changing our pool pump from chlorine to salt and sand. We have a lot of algae and pollen in our pool, do we need to drain it all the way to clean it and refill? We have an above ground pool.

    • March 30, 2015 at 3:12 PM

      Hi Lisa,

      Completely draining a pool can be very risky, especially on a hot sunny day. It can cause the liner to shrink and become unusable. You can safely drain half of the water to make the filters’ job easier and clean the pool more quickly. However, the best method and most environmentally friendly way is to save the water and let your filter do the dirty work.

  • April 2, 2015 at 10:06 AM
    P tulino

    Can you leave chlorine tablets in skimmer box for daily maintenance of pools chlorine?

    • April 13, 2015 at 3:31 PM

      Hi,

      3″ chlorine tablets (Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione) can be put in the thru wall skimmer basket for above ground pools.

  • January 2, 2016 at 11:21 PM
    Dee

    I couldn’t get my pool cover on my 28′ pool this winter. What is going to be the easiest way to open my pool. Partially drain it clean and then add water or let the pump do the work. The pool and set up is about 4 yrs old

  • August 14, 2016 at 4:24 PM
    Diana

    Hi, I am going to open my swimming pool with an ionizer what are the steps to get my pool ready for swimming? Thanks Diana

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