Contributed by Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

After the winter season comes to an end, it’s time to uncover our swimming pools and prepare them for spring.

Using the right pool supplies for opening your pool this coming spring will make the entire process so much easier. Here are the top 10 tips for opening your pool:

10. Remove leaves

Get the debris off of your pool cover. After a long winter it is likely that your pool cover needs to be cleaned off. The last thing you want is all the puddle water and debris falling off the pool cover and into your pool water. The best way to get debris off the pool cover is with a leaf rake. The best leaf rakes have mesh nets attached that pick up the smallest of debris.

9. Fold cover

Dry, fold and put away your pool cover. After removing the pool cover from the pool, lay it out flat and sweep off any extra dirt or debris. After the winter cover is completely dry, properly fold it in a similar manner to how you would a bed sheet. Many pool covers will come with a bag for storing purposes. Properly putting your pool cover away will keep it in long-lasting condition.

8. Visual examination

Walk around your pool’s perimeter and look for any damage. While looking for exterior damage, check your pool filter for tears, leaks or clogs. If you’ve had the same pool filter for several years, you should consider replacing it.

7. Fill it up

Fill your swimming pool up to proper water level. Pool covers dramatically reduce water evaporation, but they don’t prevent it completely. After months of winter it is likely that your pool water will be a little low.

6. Vacuum

Using a pool vacuum, wipe down the walls and floor of the pool. Using a pool vacuum will help you remove any excess debris that may have gotten into the pool. Sometimes dirt can fall off the pool cover during removal. This is the step before applying pool chemicals, and pool chemicals are more effective when the pool is free of debris.

5. Adjust chemicals

Use a spring pool opening kit. The best way to get every supply you need for opening your pool is to buy a kit. Spring pool opening kits should always include these four items: multi-purpose pool shock, pool algaecide, pool care pill treatments and test strips.

4. Test and balance

Test and balance the pool water. For best product performance, swimmer comfort and crystal-clear pool water, maintain pH in the range of 7.2 to 7.6, Total Alkalinity in the range of 60 to 120 ppm (parts per million), and Calcium Hardness between 200 and 400 ppm.

3. Chlorinate

Add pool chlorine. Available chlorine levels should be maintained between 1 and 4 ppm.

NOTE: Entry into treated pools is prohibited if chlorine levels are greater than 4 ppm.

2. Shock

Shock the pool. With pool equipment running, add the recommended dosage of pool shock (refer to product label for directions for use and recommended dosage). Let pool equipment run continuously for a minimum of 12 hours before proceeding to the next step.

1. Algaecide

Add algaecide and complete pool care pills. With pool equipment running, add the recommended dosage of pool algaecide. Immediately after, remove the pool pill capsules, piece the dots as indicated and place the capsules in your skimmer.

NOTE: Make sure that you read all of the label directions before using any pool chemical and keep small children and animals away from the area where you are using the pool chemicals.

March 20th is officially the first day of spring! Follow these top 10 tips for opening your swimming pool this season and you’ll soon be enjoying a healthy, clear and sparkling pool.