It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

No, I'm not talking about the holidays but it's close enough. Spring is right around the corner and you know what that means! The 2010 Pool Season is fast approaching and many pool owners have already been calling in to book pool openings with the one question that keeps on coming up. I am always being asked "when is a good time to open the pool?". While this can be a decision based solely on personal preference it is without question that the timing has to be right before you do this. Some customers open their pools as early as the end of March while others prefer to open right before the May 24 weekend.

Here are a few things to consider before you book your pool opening

1) Make sure that all the ice on your cover has melted. In Toronto, you can expect this to happen by late March at the earliest.
2) Wait for there to be a consistent week of good weather to ensure there will not be any unusual drops in temperature.
3) For safety cover pools, it is recommended to open one corner of pool and pour in 10 or 20L of liquid shock one week prior to opening your pool. This will dramatically reduce the time it takes for your pool water to clear up after you open your pool.
4) Book your openings well in advance if you would like your pool opened before May 24 weekend. Pool companies get extremely busy around the May 24 period since everyone is calling in to book their openings around the same time.
5) It doesn't hurt to open your pool a little earlier. Sometimes unexpected breakdowns do occur upon start-up that need to be repaired. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a lot longer to receive some replacement parts than anticipated. For example, some parts are very rare to come by and take up to two weeks to get shipped from the U.S.A.
6) Also, the condition of the pool water is underneath the cover or how well the pool closed (if proper winterizing chemicals were used) will determine how long it will take for your pool to 100% ready. If you have a tarp and water-bag cover it would be ideal to take a quick peak at the condition of the water by simply lifting one corner of the cover and visually inspecting the pool water. If the water is crystal clear you are a good to go and shouldn't expect any delays in having your pool running right away! You should book your opening earlier if your pool is a green swamp since it might take longer to clear up. If you notice that your cover has collapsed in the pool you should DEFINITELY book your opening earlier since it will take longer for the pool water to clear and to properly vacuum all the debris that has fallen in the pool.
7) If you notice that the pool water is green and the cover has not collapsed in the pool this may indicate that your cover may have a hole in the cover. This can be determined upon visual inspection. If you find a hole your options are to: A) patch it up using a winter cover patch kit (found at your local pool store) or B) buy a new winter cover since the integrity of your old one is diminished. **Water-bags that are deflated should be thrown away and not re-used**

If you need some more tips or advice on the matter please do send me an e-mail at larry@poolbuoy.ca and don't be afraid to check out our newly revamped website at www.poolbuoy.ca!!

Enjoy!

Larry
Pool Buoy Pool Service