Pool Opening
The best time to open your pool remains the same: early spring when the ice is melted and the sun is picking up!
Opening your pool is an important step for you to fully enjoy it. Before opening, check the general condition of your pool (cracks, visible piping, damaged filter or pump, leaks, torn seals, abnormally low water level, etc.). If repairs are needed, they should be done before you start your filtration system and add water, or you risk making the situation worse. Here are the main steps to follow if you want to open your pool yourself:
Step 1 – Preparation
- Remove the protection cover if applicable.
- Remove the leaves and the largest debris that may have entered your pool (leaves, trash, etc.).
- Remove the styrofoam protections and the skimmer tube.
- Put the basket and the small door back into the skimmer and the water return eye.
Step 2 – Connecting the Filter and Accessories
- Connect the hoses that connect the skimmer to the pump, the pump to the filter, the filter to the water return.
- Reinstall the pressure gauge (wrap Teflon tape over the threads), the filter tank cap, the backwash hose and the viewing nozzle on the filter head.
- Fill your pool so that the water level is in the center of the skimmer.
Step 3 – Start the pool
- Connect the filtration system
- Connect any other equipment if required such as the heat pump or the sanitation system. Be sure to follow the connection plan.
- Clean the bottom of the pool using the vacuum cleaner, taking care to place the filter in the “drain” or “waste” position to evacuate the coarsest dirt.
- If you have a cartridge filter, use the bypass valve.
- Clean the filter basket of the pump often to allow good suction.
- Raise the water level if necessary (in the center of the skimmer).
- Put the filter into operation and perform a light backwash.
- Run the pool for 5 to 6 hours before testing.
NOTE: Make an inventory of the cleaning products you have, carefully checking the expiry dates
Step 4 – Shock and water treatment
- When your pool water is clean, bring a water sample to your retailer to analyze your chemical parameters. In this way, you will optimize the action of the chlorine or other disinfection product you use and protect your equipment.
- Check the pH so it’s no higher than 7.4 for opening chemicals products to work to their full potential (if there’s an adjustment, wait 4 hours before moving on to the next step).
- Your dealer will advise you on the correct opening kit or individual products required for your pool depending on your situation.
- Add the products following the instructions
- Wait 24 hours and do a backwash.
- If you open your pool later and it is very dirty, you may need additional shock treatments.
- Run the pump 24 hours a day until the water is clear.
- If you did not do this when closing, clean the filter sand or your cartridge.
Step 5 – Balance treatment
When the water is finally clear, have the water tested and make adjustments as needed
- Alkalinity (the ideal is between 80 and 120).
- The pH (the ideal is between 7.2 and 7.8).
- Hardness (the ideal is between 200 and 300).
- The rate of stabilizer (the ideal rate is between 30 and 50 for a maximum of 100).
Complete the installation by installing the ladder or stairs.
Ask your retailer for maintenance tips for your pool. Who doesn’t like to save time and avoid problems? Everyone wants their pool maintenance to be done quickly and easily. Depending on the type of sanitizer chosen, you will need to add it: every day, every two days or once a week! There are weekly maintenance kits available to help you !
Pool closure
A closing carried out in the rules of the art makes it possible to protect your swimming pool from the damage caused by the winter while facilitating its reopening in the spring.
The best time to close? As late as possible! The ideal period is generally between the end of September and the beginning of November. It is best to wait until the water has reached around 10°C (50°F). It is very important to continue to filter your pool water at all times until it is closed.
Here are the recommended steps for closing a swimming pool:
1. One week before closing the pool, clean the sand or cartridge of your filter. Balance the water to achieve a pH of 7.6 and a total alkalinity of 120 ppm.
2. Remove the solar blanket and clean it.
3. Using a leaf rake, remove any debris that has accumulated on the bottom of the pool. If necessary, use the Vacuum in waste mode (if applicable, the valve under the skimmer must be open to 100% skimmer – suction only through the skimmer if your pool is equipped with a bottom drain).
4. Lower the water level until the waterline is between 30 and 40 cm (12 and 16 in) below the water returns. To do this, use the vacuum or the bottom drain (by selecting 100% suction bottom drain on the valve under the skimmer).
5. Remove the ladder or stairs from the pool.
6. Clean the waterline, skimmer, ladder or stairs.
7. Remove the skimmer door, skimmer basket and return water eye.
8. Move the valve handle under your skimmer so the water can’t go out of the pool, normally where the hose from the skimmer to the pump is connected. Disconnect the hoses that connect the skimmer to the pump, the pump to the filter, the filter to the water return.
9. If your pool has one, disconnect the water heater and your sanitation system.
10. Disconnect the pipe that connects the bottom drain to the 3-way valve, connect the extension pipe, tie everything securely to a stake or the edge of your pool. Pour the antifreeze into this pipe.
For an in-ground pool, you will need to remove the water from the piping using a wet/dry type vacuum.
11. Insert a foam tube to protect the bottom drain pipe. Bend the end of the tube back so that it stays stuck in the pipe inlet.
12. Insert a block of styrofoam into the skimmer and screw a plug on the water return.
13. Empty the pump and store it indoors, protected from freezing, during the winter.
14. Remove the drain plug from your filter to empty the water. Store this plug in the pump basket so you can find it easily when spring comes. Put the filter head in the winter position.
15. Remove the following items from the filter: pressure gauge, drain hose clamp, sight glass and gaskets. Store these items in the pump basket. It is strongly recommended to apply lubricant to the seals (o’ring).
16. If your pool is equipped with a salt chlorination system, unplug the cell, clean it and store it away from freezing. Remove and store the dashboard if possible. Unplug and also store your UV systems and chlorinator if required.
17. If the pool is equipped with a skimmer light or a water return light, remove it.
18. If you have a heat pump, unscrew the piping and, using a wet/dry type vacuum, evacuate the remaining water in the water heater. Cover the heat pump with a protective cover.
19. Add the contents of the chemical closing kit.
20. We recommend covering the pool with an elastic system and a wintering net to facilitate its cleaning in the spring. In addition, you will protect your pool liner from the sun’s rays.
These instructions are not exhaustive and depending on your installation, other steps may be necessary, especially if it is an inground pool.
We strongly recommend that you call a Sima expert at least once to explain to you in more detail the closing steps required depending on the model and installation of your pool.