The Perfect Time to Open Your Pool is Just Around the Corner, Say Pool Experts.

• Temperature is the most crucial factor to consider in deciding when to open your pool for the season.
• Getting your pool ready for summer means cleaning the pool itself and having its mechanicals inspected.
• Routine care throughout the summer will keep your water chemistry balanced and in prime condition.

Having your very own pool in which to swim every summer long is a great luxury, but one that requires some preparation of its own.

To make the process easier, pool experts offer tips on how to know when to open your pool for summer, how to prepare it for summer correctly, and how to maintain it running smoothly so you can relax and forget about it.

When to Open Your Pool for Summer

In determining the best moment to open your pool for summer, it is not according to a specific date but according to several factors. Of all the factors, temperature stands out as the most critical one.

According to Justin Miller, the creator of Crystal Water Monitor, it is best to open your pool when the average daily temperature consistently reaches 70 degrees or above. Not only is warmer weather more enjoyable for a swim, but it also helps maintain the water chemistry of your pool better.

For warmer climates with no cold winters, like California, pools can be open year-round, says Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana, a pool service company. In warmer climates with cold winters, pool openings tend to come at the close of the school year or late in the spring as temperatures warm up.

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How to Get Your Pool Ready for Summer

In order to appreciate your pool this summer, there is some preparation that needs to be done beforehand before taking the plunge. A thorough clean-up is the initial imperative step. Yamaguchi points out that this will remove bacteria, algae, and dirt that could have accumulated over the off-season.

Start by removing any loose material like pine needles or leaves from your pool. Then, brush the pool tiles and the decking area surrounding the pool. Finish cleaning by vacuuming out the pool so that it is clean before filling it with water.

Beyond cleaning, it’s important to check that your pool’s mechanical systems are functioning properly. Confirm that all equipment, including pumps and filters, is correctly connected, Miller advises.

The water itself also must be taken into account. Make sure the water level is in the right place and the chemistry in balance. Use a special monitor to test water chemistry worth investing in—some of these devices can take more than a thousand readings a week to ensure accuracy. 

Tips for Maintaining Your Pool

To keep your pool at its best throughout the summer, a few routine maintenance practices will reward you in a big way.

Start with a chlorine shock treatment when opening your pool and keep repeating the process every week to keep the water free of impurities and safe, Miller suggests. Purchasing a digital pool monitor is highly advised as well.

Top-of-the-line monitors will measure water chemistry multiple times a day, considering such factors as sunlight and temperature, and alert you precisely when and how much of the needed chemicals to add. Properly balanced chemical treatments are crucial in terms of maintaining the longevity of your pool—over-treatment and under-treatment can both lead to issues. Shocks every week keep the pool water clean and attractive.

Finally, daily maintenance can go a long way toward the well-being of your pool. Take a few minutes a day to skim off leaves and debris as they float in, Miller recommends. A little work every day keeps your pool enjoyable throughout the summer season.