How to Open an Inground Pool: Your Complete Checklist

Opening your inground pool correctly ensures a gorgeous spot for sunny afternoons and keeps stress levels low all season. This guide covers the essential supplies, water chemistry balancing, and filter system checks required for a swim-ready inground pool.

Following a consistent checklist protects your pool and saves your wallet from unnecessary repair bills.

Here are the exact steps included to get your water sparkling and ready for friends:

Clear debris off the pool cover.
Remove and store the cover safely.
Raise water levels back to normal.
Reconnect the pump and filter equipment.
Remove winter plugs and replace fittings.
Turn on the system to check for leaks.
Brush and vacuum the pool surfaces.
Test and balance the water chemistry.

Why Starting Right Matters

A rushed or incomplete pool opening almost always means cloudy water, sneaky algae, and possible equipment headaches. Skip key steps and you’ll likely spend way more time and money fixing it.

A smooth opening keeps your pump, filter, and heater running like clockwork. Starting right means less stress and more fun around the pool.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather these essentials before you get going. You don’t want to stop in the middle for a store run.

Cleaning tools: telescopic pole, pool brush, skimmer net.
Submersible pump for removing cover water.
Screwdrivers, channel locks, duck plug wrench for any equipment tweaks.
Silicone lubricant for o-rings and plugs.
Garden hose to top off the pool.
Pool shock, algaecide, pH and alkalinity adjusters for chemistry.
Water test kit or test strips.

Having all this ready makes the process way smoother.

Start With These Prep Steps

Your pool opening starts with removing the cover, checking your equipment, and topping off the water. Do these in order for a stress-free start.

Take Off and Clean the Cover

Remove standing water from the cover with a submersible pump. Sweep off leaves and dirt so nothing gross lands in your pool. Careful handling means less clean-up later.

Lay the cover flat, wash it with mild soap and warm water, and let it dry. Store it in a cool, dry spot. This keeps mold away and makes your cover last longer.

Check Pool Equipment Before Starting

Remove winterizing plugs from your pump, filter, and heater. Put the regular drain plugs back in, using thread seal tape for a tight fit. Check o-rings and gaskets; if they're cracked, swap them out. Add a thin layer of silicone lubricant.

Clear out leaves and debris from your pump basket and skimmer. If your filter media looks grimy, now’s the time to replace it. This sets you up for cleaner water ahead.

Fill Up and Inspect Surfaces

Walk around the pool. Check walls and floor for cracks or damage. Take care of issues before filling your pool for peace of mind.

Fill up your pool using a hose. This can take 12 to 48 hours, so make sure you give yourself enough time. Make sure your water level is halfway up the skimmer or tile line.

Get Your Water in Balance

Once your water’s topped up, you want to get the chemistry dialed in. Run your filter for at least 12 hours first (this circulates everything and lets you test accurately.)

Here are the numbers you're looking for:

pH: 7.2-7.6
Total Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 200-400 ppm

Adjust alkalinity first using muriatic acid if it's high or alkalinity increaser if it's low. Then adjust pH as needed. Doing alkalinity first always helps things go smoother.

Fire Up Your Filtration System

Prime your pump by filling the basket with water. This helps it start up without air pockets. Turn on the pump. Open the air relief valve on your filter, wait until water sprays, then close it.

Let your system run non-stop for the first 24 hours after opening. This picks up any missed debris and spreads out chemicals. After that, drop back to your regular schedule, usually 8-12 hours a day depending on your pool’s size and how much you swim.

Test and Fine-Tune Water Chemistry

After the filtration system’s been running for at least 12 hours, grab your test kit again. Check the free chlorine level. You want 1-3 ppm. If it’s low, add some shock.

Use 1 pound (454 g) of shock per 10,000 gallons (37,854 L) for clear water.
Add 1 pound (454 g) per 8,000 gallons (30,283 L) if it's cloudy.

It's always best to shock the pool in the evening or at night so the sun doesn't break it down too quickly. Test at least twice a week for the first few weeks. Once your water is stable, weekly is fine.

Keep cyanuric acid (stabilizer) at 30-50 ppm so your chlorine lasts under the sun.

Last Steps Before You Dive In

Finish strong with a quick spruce-up. Sweep the pool deck, wipe down tables and chairs, and double-check for any safety issues.

Inspect ladders, handrails, and diving boards, tightening bolts if needed.
Test pool lights and GFCI outlets.
Check fence, gate, and locks to be sure they’re secure and meet safety codes.

Other tips for a safety-first swim include:

Keep a first aid kit near the pool. Make sure your address is posted for emergencies.
Have US Coast Guard-approved life jackets, a throwable life preserver, and a reaching pole handy.
Check that pool drains are VGB-compliant and covers are secure.
If your pool has a diving board or slide, confirm they meet safety rules. Diving boards should be 3 meters or lower, and your pool should be at least 7.5-9 feet deep.

Cover Your Pool Costs by Hosting on Swimply

We all know pools can get pricey quick between chemicals, fixing things, heating, and water. Listing your pool on Swimply is such a win if you want to turn those expenses into real cash.

It’s super simple. Swimply lets you rent out your private pool by the hour. You set the price, the hours, house rules, and which add-ons you want to offer. Most hosts charge $45-$90 per hour and you keep 80-85% of what you earn.

Many folks more than cover their pool costs. One host keeps his pool at 90 degrees all year and stays fully booked. His earnings cover everything and then some!

Swimply pays you automatically within 48 hours of each booking. The money is in your bank account within a week, and you can add extra amenities or heated pool fees for even more earnings.

Swimply also has your back. The Protection Guarantee includes up to $1 million for guest injuries and $10,000 for property damage during bookings. That peace of mind is sweet.

Keep Your Pool Fun All Season

Now you know how to open your inground pool the right way. Stick with these steps each spring for smooth, stress-free pool days. Your equipment will be happy and your water will stay sparkling.

Test water regularly.
Run your filter every day.
Keep your pool spotless and welcoming.

If you want that pool to actually make money? Check out Swimply. You can list your pool for free, start hosting in just a few days, and let your pool pay for itself.