“When should I open my pool?” It’s a question that crosses many a mind when it comes to opening a pool after winter begins to subside. As the cold begins to give way to spring and we dream of floating in the summer sun, pool owners begin looking for the balance of caring for their pool before it’s warm enough to swim and avoiding an early summer algae ridden pool. So, is there an ideal time for a pool opening? If so, when is it?
When Should I Open My Pool?
The right time for your pool opening depends on your unique needs. These are some things to consider. The longer water remains stagnant, exposed to warming temperatures and UV light, the more likely you are to have visible algae in your swimming pool. Opening your pool in early spring can help avoid an uphill battle against a green pool. However, there are other considerations.
- Be mindful of your backyard environment. Flowering trees or shrubs that drop their blooms into your pool may necessitate delaying a pool opening until the spring bloom is over.
- If you have a cover that does not allow water to pass through it, it will also not allow UV light and can help protect the water against an algae bloom until later in the season. However, most winter covers are mesh and allow some UV light to pass through them.
- Lingering cold can help to keep water temperatures low and slow algae growth. So, keep an eye on the weather. The Mid-Atlantic region can see 65 and sunny in late March and 10 inches of heavy wet snow in early April.
- Did you winterize your pool before the temperatures cooled? If so, you may have closed with some residual algae growth. An earlier pool opening will allow you to clean up what may have been left from last fall.
- Planning a party? Always open at least two weeks before you need the pool to be in tip-top condition. You likely will not need two weeks for the water to clear but this gives you time to address any surprises left by winter. (A valve that won’t turn, a filter that needs a gasket to stop a leak, an aging pump that starts the season “screaming”, IYKYK!)
- If your pool is heated, you can significantly extend your swimming season in early spring and late fall. Likewise, just because your pool is open doesn’t mean you have to heat it. A clean, clear pool looks the same with water temperatures in the sixties as it does when it’s a comfortable 85 degrees.
Opening a pool after winter comes with plenty of considerations, many of which we just covered. The balance between an early pool opening, when it’s fairly easy to clean, and opening a pool late that you don’t have to care for prior to favorable swimming weather, is up to each pool owner. A professional pool opening service can never be underrated. Vacuuming the winter leftovers, professional water analysis, chemicals at the ready and the ability to identify and resolve issues can ensure your season starts off swimmingly!