Pool openings in the Northeast US typically range $175-$300. You can often save money by  doing some of the work yourself, i.e. removing the cover, or vacuuming the pool.

Here is a list of things you can do yourself to help lower the cost of opening your pool in the Spring:

• Remove, clean, fold and store pool cover.

• Testing water balance; adjusting calcium, Alkalinity and pH levels

• Replacing stored items; ladders, auto cleaner, baskets, plugs, gauges, etc.

• Inspect and test electrical service to pumps, lights, heaters, etc. Load testing.

• Lube plugs, fittings, valves and o-rings.

• Flood lines, prime-up, start-up and adjust filtration equipment.

• Brush tiles and scrub skimmers with cleanser.

• Blow off, then hose pool deck.

• Skim pool surface. Vacuum pool to waste using portable vacuum equipment

• Super chlorinate to breakpoint levels with liquid chlorine.

• Brush pool walls and steps. Re-check chemical levels in 12-24 hrs, adjust as needed.

• Backwash filter if pressure gauge rises 8-10 lbs, or flow diminishes considerably.

Snowbelt

1. Remove the pool cover:

    

   • Solid Covers:

     Use a small cover pump to remove rain and snow melt. As the water is being pumped, "tighten up" the cover by pulling on its edges, so the water gathers into one easily pumped area. A "bag type" leaf net and your pool brush on the pole can be used to remove leaves and debris. After water and debris is removed, drain water bags (or remove whatever is being used to hold down sides of cover). Water bags can be folded or rolled after being hosed clean. Remove cover quickly by fan-folding it into 3 - 5 ft folds on one end of the pool. Take cover to open area where it can be unfolded and hosed clean. A sloping yard or driveway makes this easier. When cover is cleaned, allow to dry or use blower to hasten drying. Fan fold (accordion-style) cover to facilitate its installation in the fall. Roll tightly and wrap with rope or twine to prevent it from unrolling during storage. Place in a dry, rodent free location for its summer storage.

      

   • Mesh Covers:

     Use broom, brush, leaf net, hose and/or blower to remove leaves and debris from top and edges of cover. Remove springs from anchors with removal tool. Use 3/4" pipe to lever springs from anchors, if removal tool cannot be located. Use 1/4" hex key (Allen wrench) to put anchors into the down position, flush with the deck. It's good practice to clean with hose and lubricate with a light oil. Fan fold cover (accordion-style) to facilitate its reinstallation in the fall. Use hose, broom or blower to clean off cover as it's folded. Fold it seam to seam, then roll like a sleeping bag and stuff it into storage bag. Place on chair to dry for a few hours before moving it INDOORS for summer storage. If storing outdoors, hang up off the ground, and / or use moth balls to repel rodents from nesting in the cover.

      

2. Remove expansion plugs (Freeze Plugs) from skimmers and wall returns

Put plugs in Ziploc bag and place near cover for use. Discard any that are dry-rotted and/or cracked. Replace any wall fittings.

 

3. Reassemble filter, pump, heater, etc.

    

   Replace drain plugs into pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, etc. If above-ground pool, reattach hoses removed at closing. Replace pump and skimmer baskets, pressure gauges, pool ladders, diving boards etc. Use thread sealant such as Teflon tape on all threaded plugs, connections. Do not over-tighten! If your filter is a D.E. powder tight filter, make sure clamp band is tight and properly positioned. (It was probably removed in the fall to have the filter grids pulled out and cleaned with a hose, so make sure it was re-installed correctly) Place filter valve to filter position and open air bleeder (beneath pressure gauge, usually). Open all incoming valves (before pump) and all return side valves (after filter). Lubricate valves and o-rings as needed. Fill pump basket with water from pool or hose. Replace pump lid tightly. Look for leaks out of pump. Double check that all valves and pressure relief orifices are open. Place filter valve in proper position. Slide valves (push-pull valves) should be in the down position on most DE filters and in the up position for Pac-Fab sand filters. Multiport valves should be on the filter position. {Or...the method I use is to start the pump with the valve in the Drain to Waste position, and when water begins to run out the waste line, shut off the pump. Place valve into the Recirculate position and run pump until water flows into the pool. Shut off pump, switch the valve to the Filter position to complete the process.}

    

4. Turn on power to pump & start system

    

   Watch pressure on gauge closely with your hand on power switch! Turn off if pressure rises above normal range; usually above 30 psi. Recheck that all return side valves are open. If no pressure builds up at all, and pump is not pumping, shut off power after 1 minute. Repeat priming process mentioned before. If pump still won't prime up, try closing main drain valve, if present, and starting off the skimmer alone. If pump still won't catch prime after 5 or so attempts, check incoming pipes for air leaks. Repair as needed. Add 1 lb of DE powder per 5 sq. ft of filter area into the skimmer (only if you have a DE filter, of course). Do this quickly, within 2 minutes of starting filter. If you have a cartridge filter replace cartridge element every 2 years. Sand filters should have their sand changed every 5 years.

    

   Once system is started, adjust valves and return fittings for proper flow. Check for leaks around pump and filter; repair as needed. Note start-up pressure on filter gauge. When psi is 10 lbs above this number, backwash the filter. Empty pump basket also at this time, or earlier if you notice a drop in filter pressure. If you have a heater, follow pilot lighting and test firing instructions, usually printed on back of front heater door. Operate to test and adjust all other equipment. (continued........)

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