Pool Opening Instructions
1. Remove any leaves or debris from the top of your winter cover (this should not go in the pool).
2. Remove the water off your pool cover using a submersible pump.
- When using a submersible pump, please ensure that the pump is not sitting directly on the pool cover.
- If there are any holes in the cover, including pin size holes, the water beneath the cover can be drawn through and end up draining the pool.
3. Remove the water bags (inground) or winch cord (aboveground) from your cover.
- Ensure no remaining water spills into the pool.
4. Clean and scrub the winter cover and water bags using Cover Cleaner.
- Air-dry the cover/bags and store in a safe place free of mice and insects.
- Vinyl covers should be stored in a covered container with Cover Cleaner or Algi-Pro 40 and water.
5. Reinstall all drain plugs on your filter, pump, chlorinator, Nature II and heater.
- Reinstall the pressure switch on your heater.
- Reinstall the site glass on your filter and pressure gauge.
- Ensure that they are hand tightened.
- Do not over-tighten or cross-thread plugs or gauge(s).
- Reconnect any plumbing or valves you may have disconnected while winterizing your pool equipment and lines.
- Reinstall backwash hose.
- Don’t put Teflon tape on the site glass or any drain plugs that have o-rings.
6. Remove expansion plugs from plumbing lines to salt chlorinator.
- Reconnect unions and wire leads to the unit.
- Wait until the water reaches 65°F before turn the salt cell on.
7. Remove the winter plugs from the pool return(s) and your skimmer.
- Remove the Gizzmo from your skimmer and remove the foam rope from the main drain line.
8. Reinstall eyeball and lock ring in return(s) of pool.
9. Scrub water line(s) around the inside perimeter of your pool and steps and clean coping using Amaze.
10. Fill the pool with water until it reaches 3/4 of the way up the skimmer.
- Put skimmer weir and basket back in the skimmer.
- Put pump basket back into the pump.
- Lubricate all o-rings with silicone lubricant before placing them back where they go.
11. If applicable, put a new cartridge into your Nature II system.
12. Reinstall pool ladder(s) with escutcheons.
- Please make sure that you tighten the ladder anchors (inground) or screws (aboveground) when you install the ladder(s) for security.
13. If applicable, reinstall the diving board and reconnect all slide hardware.
14. Sand Filters: Turn filter handle to the drain/waste position.
- Prime pool pump and start.
- Once the antifreeze has been flushed from the suction lines and equipment, shut pump off.
- Turn filter valve to the filter position then turn pump back on.
- Check all equipment and pool plumbing for dripping or leaks and fix leaks, if required.
15. Cartridge Filters: Turn three-way valve to the waste position.
- Prime pool pump and start.
- Once the antifreeze has been flushed from the suction lines and equipment, shut pump off.
- Turn valve to the filter position then turn pump back on.
- Check all equipment and pool plumbing for dripping or leaks and fix leaks, if required.
16. Vacuum pool, if necessary, for any sediment on the pool bottom.
- Backwash/ rinse cartridges after vacuuming.
17. Fill chlorinator with Aqua Foot or Maxi Pucks or fill brominator with Bromine Tablets.
18. Add Solution 48 kit and Meta Stain Prevent.
19. Allow pool to circulate for 48 hours, then bring a sample of pool water into Bud's Spas & Pools.
20. Balance your pool as required using the water analysis instruction sheet.
21. If you did not clean your filter before you winterized your pool, clean your filter upon pool opening using Filter Cleaner.
RELATED ARTICLES
![Photo: Hydropool [swim spa]](https://budsspas.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/swimming-pool-small-yard-9-square-57235efa5c8b11df53a00ee0c9a24018-.jpg "swimming-pool-small-yard-9")
Treating Biofilm in a Swim Spa
How to Treat Biofilm in your Swim Spa What is Biofilm? Biofilm in hot tubs refers to a complex community of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and form a slimy, protective layer. Biofilm can develop on various surfaces within a hot tub, such as the walls, pipes, and filters. IMPACT Reduced effectiveness of sanitizers: The…
Swim spa winterization guide
how to prepare your swim spa for the winter Winterizing your swim spa properly is extremely important to ensure that all the lines and equipment do not freeze and crack over the winter. Drain spa as per normal procedure. Remove pillows, the skimmer basket and the filter(s) from the canister. Chemically clean your filter(s) with…
Understanding and Addressing Pool Liner Wrinkles
Understanding and Addressing Pool Liner Wrinkles When it comes to pool liner wrinkles, it’s crucial to distinguish between those caused by installation issues and those arising from other factors. If a wrinkle appears due to a poor fit or incorrect measurements during installation, it will be evident as soon as the pool is filled. Wrinkles…
What is a Pool Orientation and Why is it Essential for New Pool Owners?
What is a Pool Orientation and Why is it Essential for New Pool Owners? Owning a pool is a luxury that brings fun, relaxation, and a perfect gathering spot for family and friends. However, with this luxury comes the responsibility of maintaining and managing your pool to ensure it remains a safe and enjoyable space.…
Benefits of In-Person Shopping for Hot Tubs, Pools & Swim Spas
We know that online shopping can be convenient. But at Buds we still believe that hot tubs, swim spas and pools, not to mention their parts and supplies, are best shopped for in person.
So while you might start your shopping journey online, we hope that you’ll take the chance to visit us in store before finally making your purchase.
There are many reasons why we think brick-and-mortar stores like Buds are the smart choice for customers.
Check out our top reasons and let us know if you agree!
How to Treat and Prevent Metals and Staining
How to treat and prevent metals and staining Metals and Staining in a Pool Metals can be introduced to the water through foreign object or equipment such as: Copper piping and fittings, Heat exchanger, Using Copper Sulphate and other copper-based algaecides, Source water. Metals in pool water may cause staining to the liner, fiberglass, or…
Should I finance my pool purchase?
In its most formal application, contrast hydrotherapy involves alternating between immersion in hot and cold water. It’s a practice with growing popularity among athletes and health enthusiasts for its many reported benefits.
Above Ground Pool Closing Instructions
How to close your above ground pool Pool Closing Steps 1 One week prior to closing, bring a pool water sample to the store so your pool can be properly balanced. It is natural for sitting water to become acidic on its own, so balancing the water is very important prior to closing your pool.…
The Benefits of Borate to Treat Your Pool
Why Your Should Use Borate In Your Pool What is Borate? Borate prevents pH drifting, which results in calcium scaling, metal stains, cloudy water, algae, and hard pool water. When you use borate, the water will remain clear for a long period since chloramine (or combined chlorine) does not form quickly as compared to a…
How to Reduce Phosphates in Your Pool
How to Reduce Pool Phosphates What are phosphates? Phosphates are food for algae. Although they are present in all water, once they reach a certain level they can cause issues in your pool. Phosphates can consume chlorine causing a consistently low level in your pool. When you have an extremely low chlorine reading, your pool…
Spring Set-up for Pool UV Systems
How To Open Your Pool’s UV System SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS When spring arrives, it’s time to pull out your UV system and get it ready for the summer pool season. Below is a checklist that will help in getting the most out of your system. If your UV system is still installed on your pool equipment,…
How to Treat Pool Algae
How to Treat and Prevent Algae How to Treat and Prevent Algae during Spring Opening Warning: when following these steps, DO NOT use your automatic vacuum as there is no option of vacuuming on waste/drain. Bring a pool water sample into Buds for water balance assistance. Remove large organic debris from the bottom of the…
How to Change & Clean the Filter Media
How to Clean & Change a sand filter How to Change the Filter Media Sand should be changed in the filter every 3-5 years. However, if the sand is not cleaned once per season the sand may need to be changed much more often than that. 1 Turn off the pump. 2 Take the drain…
How to Clean a Pool Salt Cell
How to Clean a Salt Cell It is important to maintain a clean salt cell so chlorine can be continuously produced. Salt cells that have a lot of scale or calcium build up cannot effectively produce sanitizer and often create flow issues within the pool system. You should check your salt cell weekly to ensure…
How to Treat and Prevent Cloudy or Foggy Pool Water
How to Treat Extremely Cloudy or Foggy Water How to Treat Extremely Cloudy or Foggy Water Bring a pool water sample into Buds Spas and Pools for water balance analysis. Adjust pH and/or chlorine levels as recommended by the water lab. Follow Option A, B or C depending on the level of clarity in the…
Pool Filter Cartridge Cleaning Instructions
How To Clean A Pool Filter Cartridge When should a cartridge element be cleaned? For hot tubs and swim spas, establish a routine cartridge cleaning schedule based on the amount of spa usage. This should include rinsing the cartridge weekly (or more frequently with heavy use), as well as using Rapid Action Filter Cleanse every…
Maintenance for Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pool maintenance Helpful Tips to Maintain Your Pool New pool or new liner customers: Please bring in a water sample to Bud’s Spas and Pools before adding any chemicals and/or before entering your pool for the first time. Filtration To maintain proper filtration the pump should be operating 24/7. If your pump is on…
Maintenance for Non-Saltwater Pools
Non-saltwater pool maintenance HELPFUL TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN MAINTAINING YOUR POOL NEW POOL OR NEW LINER CUSTOMERS:PLEASE BRING IN A WATER SAMPLE (IN THE SAMPLE BOTTLE PROVIDED) TO BUDS SPAS AND POOLS BEFORE ADDING ANY CHEMICALS AND/OR BEFORE ENTERING YOUR POOL FOR THE FIRST TIME. Filtration To maintain proper filtration the pump should…
Inground Pool Closing Instructions
Pool Closing Instructions Follow these steps to properly close your pool this year 1. One week prior to closing, bring a water sample to the store so your pool can be properly balanced. 2. 48 hours before closing, clean your sand filter with Filter Cleaner. If you have a cartridge filter, it can be cleaned…
Pool Opening Instructions
Pool Opening Instructions Pool Opening Instructions 1. Remove any leaves or debris from the top of your winter cover (this should not go in the pool). 2. Remove the water off your pool cover using a submersible pump. When using a submersible pump, please ensure that the pump is not sitting directly on the pool…