Opening & Closing

Opening Your Pool

Please contact our knowledgeable staff at and our experienced team will be happy to assist you with opening your pool this season. You can also visit us for free water testing to start the season off with perfectly balanced water.

Here are some key steps we follow when opening your pool at the start of the swimming season:

• Remove any leaves, dirt, or debris from the pool cover first.
• Pump off any standing water from the top of the pool cover.
• Remove the cover carefully, then give it a good wash. Once it is completely dry, store it for the season.
• Add water to the pool until it reaches the proper level.
• Start your filter system.
• Let the filter run for 24-48 hours.

Bring in a water sample and we will make sure you add to your pool what you need. This will avoid any possible staining from metals and balance as needed to have a safe, clean swimming environment.

Closing Your Pool

It’s important to remember that closing your pool is also winterizing your pool. It requires more care and attention to detail than the opening. Because water expands when it freezes, it can do a lot of damage to plumbing and equipment if not properly drained or blown out. For water quality, there are several steps to take before closing your pool, including balancing the water before closing. We recommend bringing us a water sample a few weeks before you plan to close to achieve this. As always, you can give us a call if you need more help!

Here are some key steps we follow when closing your pool at the end of the swimming season:

• Remove any debris, leaves, or pool toys from the water.
• One week before closing your pool, bring a water sample to The Pool Store for testing. We want to make sure your water is balanced and ready for a long winter.
• Bring in a clean zip locked bag or a water sample bottle.
• Add closing chemicals as instructed.
• Reduce the water level per manufacturer instructions for your cover.
• Winterize your lines and equipment.
• Inspect your cover for damage and repair if needed. Install winter cover. Make sure to leave enough slack for water to gather from rain and snow if it is a solid vinyl cover.