The Best Time to Open Your Pool Is Almost Here, Pool Experts Say

• Temperature plays the most significant role in determining when is a suitable time to open your pool for the season.
• Prepping your pool for summer involves cleaning both the physical pool as well as checking its mechanics.
• Proper maintenance over the course of the summer will ensure your water chemistry is appropriate at all times.

If you’re lucky enough to have your very own pool to use and enjoy all summer long, you know that with such a luxury comes quite a bit of prep work.

Here, pool experts explain everything you’ve been wondering about when the right time is to open up your pool for the season, how you can best prep your pool for summer, and how to effectively maintain it without worry.

When Is the Best Time to Open a Pool for the Summer

There isn’t one specific time that is best to open up your pool for the summer; rather, there are a few different factors that you will want to consider before doing so. The most important one is temperature.

Ideally, a good time to open up your pool is when the average daily temperature begins to reach 70 degrees or higher, Justin Miller, the co-founder of Crystal Water Monitor, says.

“The reasons for this are that warmer temperatures are not only more comfortable, but they also make it easier to maintain the ideal water chemistry for your pool,” he says.

That said, some parts of the country experience temperatures in the 70s continuously. This means that those living in warm climates, like California, may keep their pools open year-round, Jeremy Yamaguchi, the CEO of pool service Cabana, says. Others will open their pools when school ends for the summer or in the late spring as temperatures warm up, he adds.

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How to Prep Your Pool for Summer

In order to fully enjoy your pool this summer, you will want to tackle a bit of prep work before putting on your bathing suit. A deep clean is an essential first step, Yamaguchi shares, explaining that this step will help to remove any bacteria, algae, and grime that have accumulated in your pool during the offseason.

The first thing that you will want to do is remove any floating debris such as leaves, pine needles, and the like, from your pool, he notes. After that, you will want to use a brush to clean your pool tiles as well as the surrounding deck area. Finally, vacuuming your pool is an essential last step before deeming it ready for water, Yamaguchi states.

In addition to cleaning the physical pool, you will also want to make sure that its mechanics are in tip-top shape before use. This means making sure that the equipment is all properly connected—pay attention to your pumps and filters, Miller shares.

You will also want to evaluate the water itself, he adds, noting that the water level should be at the appropriate height and the water chemistry is balanced. You can order a special monitor to test the water chemistry; some will take readings as often as 1,000 times per week.

Tips for Maintaining a Pool

To ensure that your pool stays in great shape all summer long, there are a few steps that you will want to follow periodically.

With regard to the water, you will want to use a chlorine shock treatment when you first open your pool and then every week following, since this will help ensure your water stays safe and clean all season, Miller explains.

As noted above, a digital pool monitor is something worth investing in as well, according to Miller.

“The best monitors will sample the water chemistry many times per day, taking into account the effects of the sun, the heat, et. cetera,” he says.

In turn, you will have a sense of when to add chemicals to your pool, as well as how many to add. To this end, Miller notes that adding the proper amount of chemicals to your pool is essential in maintaining its longevity; over-treating or under-treating your water can pose issues. Shocking your pool once per week is also essential to help the water appear nice and clear.

Last but not least, a little bit of everyday maintenance will go a long way, Miller adds. Go ahead and remove leaves and debris as you spot them.