Last Updated on October 18, 2021
Opening your pool is one of the most exciting times of the year. It’s been a long winter and you’re ready to get back into the outdoors. Your pool is probably one of your top priorities and you’re about to invite your friends to play some swimming pool games.
However, there is one question that always comes up: when should I open my pool?
Don’t wait until summer heat sets in because that will make an already difficult decision even tougher. On the flip side, opening your pool too late can lead to higher pool heating costs as well as less time spent enjoying it with friends and family.
How To Know When To Open Your Pool
There are factors like pool expenses, weather patterns, and availability for pool maintenance that all affect when you should start using your pool.
Temperature
Temperatures must be between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit before you open your pool. Humidity levels must be 40 percent and the air should be clear.
It’s also best if you can track weather conditions during this time of year as well. If it still freezes at night when daytime temperatures are hovering around 70 °F which is the right temperature for opening up a pool, then you want to wait until the temperature at night eases to the recommended temperature.
Algae Threat
Take note that if you do not go ahead and start treating your water, algae will soon take over your swimming pool.
You might be dreading the thought of removing your winter cover, but if you do it soon enough and clean diligently after the temperature starts to warm up, you won’t have any algae problem in your pool. So don’t put off that daunting job for too long!
Pool Operating Costs
One of the first things to think about when deciding whether it’s time to open your pool is how much money you want to spend. While most people don’t mind spending a little extra on upkeep and cleaning, opening your pool too late can cause issues like algae growth or an abundance of unwanted debris in your pool water that would have otherwise been avoided if you’ve opened earlier.
Aesthetics
Keeping your swimming pool closed will not only affect its appearance but may even impact the aesthetic of your outdoor space. A pool cover is not a sight you want to see when the sun is high and the weather calls for you to do some water fun activities.
When Should I Open My Pool?
The answer depends on where you live. If your home is located in coastal Florida, then it might make sense for you to keep your pool closed during hurricane season from June through November because storms can cause flooding and unsafe conditions for swimmers. But if you live anywhere else in the United States—even places as far north as Canada—you’re probably safe opening your pool once temperatures start rising to at least 70 °F.
Most pools in the northern regions open in early to mid-June. This is when it’s hot, and temperatures aren’t yet too cold for your family to play outside, especially for little ones. Some people prefer to wait until mid-July to open their pool because the kids are back in school and they want the pool for themselves.
But if you really want to get the most out of your swimming pool and enjoy the coming pool season you should start preparing to open your pool in March. If everything goes well, then you can start using your pool right away.
Just remember that until you get consecutive days with the temperature hovering at about 70 °F, then you should keep your pool closed.
There are some regions in the United States where experiencing cold temperatures in March is not unusual. Take Pennsylvania for example. It’s recommended to wait until the spring season starts but not too late that you open your pool during the summer season.
What Can I Do Now To Prepare For Opening My Pool?
You already know that opening your pool is going to be a long and tedious process, so why not make it a little bit easier by making early preparations.
- Take note of any damage caused by extreme weather during the winter months. Make sure that you do the necessary repairs before you open your pool.
- Get all of your supplies ready like the siphoning equipment you’re going to use to remove the water on top of your swimming pool. Remember to only remove a portion of your pool water, not the whole of it, to avoid damaging your pool liner and overall structure.
- Check if your pool equipment is working properly, especially the pump and filtration system of your swimming pool.
- Ready the water testing kit and pool chemicals you’re going to need to balance your water chemistry.
- Prepare the pool shock that will eliminate any organic matter currently in your pool water.
- Get your robotic pool cleaner ready to vacuum any debris, algae, or dust that is still in your swimming pool.
- Run your pool’s pump and filtration system.
- Buy a pool algaecide and pool conditioner to prepare your swimming pool for its opening.
Read our post on How To Clean A Pool After Winter Season for more information on how to properly open your pool.
Final Thoughts About Pool Opening
Many factors determine when to open a pool but the most important factor to consider is the weather.
The best way to decide when is the best time to open your pool is to wait until you have a few warm days. If your pool is warm enough, it is usually safe to open it. If not, you will need to wait for a few more days.