Pool opening: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pool opening is

Pool opening takes the winter cover off, reconnects and checks the equipment, refills the water and balances the chemistry so the pool is ready to swim. People usually hire it in spring, after the pool has been closed for months and needs a full check before the first swim.

Signs you need it

  • You covered the pool in the fall and have not looked at the water since
  • The winter cover has standing water, leaves, ice damage or a torn seam
  • The water is green or cloudy, or there is a layer of algae and debris on the bottom
  • The pump, filter or heater is still disconnected from winter storage
  • The water level sits below the skimmer opening after the winter

What the pro does

  • Pump off any standing water on the cover, then remove the cover and clean out the debris
  • Remove the winter plugs, reinstall the skimmer and return fittings, and check every o-ring
  • Reconnect the pump, filter and heater, prime the pump, and check the lines for air leaks
  • Refill the pool to the right level and check the skimmer and return flow
  • Test the water and balance free chlorine, pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness, then shock if needed
  • Run the pump and filter through a full cycle and walk the owner through the controls

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the pool and how much debris or algae built up over the winter
  • Type of winter cover and how hard it is to remove, clean and store
  • Condition of the water at opening, since green water takes more time and chemicals
  • Equipment that needs reconnection, repair or replacement, including the heater and cleaner
  • How many fittings, unions and valves need checking or new o-rings
  • Whether the pool cover needs repair or replacement before the season
  • Access to the cover, the equipment and the water source on the property

What a written quote should spell out

  • The opening steps listed, including cover removal, equipment reconnection and start-up
  • The chemicals and any shock treatment, with a note on what is included
  • Whether the quote covers green water recovery or only a standard opening
  • The parts the pro expects to need, such as o-rings, plugs, gaskets or a skimmer basket
  • What happens if the pump, heater or filter shows a fault during opening
  • A written start-up check that lists the readings and equipment status

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you pump off the water on the cover and check the cover for damage?
  • How do you check the winter plugs and the return fittings?
  • Do you test and balance the water before you leave?
  • What happens if the water is green when you open it?
  • Will you check the pump, filter and heater before the first run?
  • Do you charge for chemical adjustments in the first week, and how is that written?

Red flags

  • They pull the cover without checking for water or debris on top of it
  • They refill the pool without checking the skimmer and return fittings
  • They start the pump without priming it, which can damage the pump seal
  • They leave without testing the water
  • They push a new heater or pump without showing a fault

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can pump off standing water and remove leaves and debris from the cover, and can reinstall the skimmer basket and check the water level. Do not start the pump before the plugs and fittings have been checked, and do not add shock or pour pool chemicals in yourself. Call a pro for chemical balancing, green water, and any electrical or gas work.

Licenses and permits

Pool opening is commonly done as routine service, and some areas require pool service or chemical handling to be registered or licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency and ask the pro what applies to their work. Electrical or gas reconnection may need a licensed trade.

Pool opening questions

When should a pool be opened?

Open the pool when nights stay warm enough to swim and the water can be circulated and treated. Your pro can tell you the right window for your area and for the heater you have.

Why is my pool water green after opening?

Algae grows fast over the winter, especially when the cover held water. A pro can test the water, shock it and run the filter to bring it back, which can take several visits.

Do I need a heater for the first swim?

No. A heater is optional, though it helps in cooler weather. Ask the pro to check it during opening and tell you whether it needs service.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More pools and hot tubs guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request pool opening