Opening Procedure

• Check that Electricity and Fresh Water supplies have been connected and turned on at the pool.  Check the circuit box to ensure that all power is available and turned on.
• Check that all necessary Permission and/or Permits have been obtained for dumping pool water.
• If applicable, remove Pool Cover.  Fold and store the cover as required.
• Check gas and oil of all equipment before starting them.
• Completely drain the pool.  Be aware of surrounding ground water conditions and levels.  If necessary, open Hydrostatic Relief Valves and/orPool Drain Plugs.  As the pool empties:– If applicable, lower/close Pool Cover Anchors.  Be certain that they are flush with the deck.

  – Remove all skimmer and return line Freeze Plugs and Anti-Freeze Containers/Equipment.  Store appropriately.

  – Attach all pump, filter and heater Drain Plugs. Assemble all Filters andPumps.

  – Quickly, turn each pump on, then off, to verify that they are operational.  If the pump(s) are inoperative, attempt to turn the Impeller by hand to verify that the Impeller Shaft has not rusted.  If the pump(s) are still inoperative, repair/replacement may be necessary.

  – Open all skimmer, main drain and return line Valves.

• Using the Pressure Washer, rinse the pool walls and floor to remove any loose dirt and algae.  Be careful not to keep pressurized water in any location too long as it will remove paint and plaster from the surfaces.
• If necessary, Acid Wash the pool surfaces:– Use appropriate SAFETY EQUIPMENT at all times during the Acid Washing procedure.

  – Mix a 10:1 (weak) to 2:1 (strong) ratio of water and Muriatic Acid as needed.

  – Brush the solution onto small sections of the pool and, as soon as possible, thoroughly rinse.

  – Using Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash), neutralize the acid water to a pH of 7.0-8.0 before removing it from the pool.

  – Inspect the pool surfaces for any missed or hard-to-get spots.

  – Observe any tile, paint or structural concerns and document if any are found.

• Check the Hydrostatic Relief Valve(s) to verify that it is functional.  Replace if necessary.
• Check that all Pool Drain Plugs are closed.
• Continuously fill the pool.  Stopping the fill process may cause “bathtub rings” to form.
• Observe any skimmer or piping concerns and document if any are found.  PVC glue or “Schmear” may be used to repair minor cracks to skimmers or pipes.
• Install pool ladders, railings, etc.  Check, and if necessary, replace worn ladder bumpers.
• Place skimmer baskets and covers in skimmers.
• Document any missing equipment such as skimmer covers, skimmer baskets, plugs, etc.
• Clean all equipment used.- Disconnect all hoses from pumps and drain excess water from pumps.

  – Run water through the hoses 2 or 3 times.

  – Spray off the outside of the hoses.

  – Empty all water from the hoses and fold or tie them up to be stored.

  – Spray off all equipment which was used.  (This includes all brooms, buckets, shovels, rakes, garbage cans, etc.)

* This is a generic procedure that may aide you on creating your own. Your pool may require additional steps and/or procedures. Contact your builder for details. All information is copyrighted material of Pool Operation Management, Inc.