5 Things To Remember When Opening Your Swimming Pool

Even though summer is a (long) month away, many consider this time of year the official beginning of pool season. Homeowners all over the country can't wait to take to their backyard and spend hours poolside. But before you do a cannonball, jackknife, or belly flop into the deep end, make sure your pool is clean, safe, and ready for the summer.

To get your pool in tiptop shape, there are some essential chores that need to be done before it's ready for swimming. These include the five C's: cover, color, chemicals, circulation, and (safety) check.

Never heard of the five C's? Here's everything pool owners need to know.

Before you remove the pool cover, check for tears or holes.

"If it's undamaged, wash it thoroughly and let it dry before storing it for the summer," says Jimmie Meece, brand president of America's Swimming Pool Co. "Moisture can lead to mold and mildew, so make sure the cover is fully dry before storing."

If the cover is damaged, consult a professional on possible additional steps needed to open your pool.

With the cover removed, check for the color of the water. If it is relatively clear, it means the pool was correctly winterized and closed in the fall.

"Closing your pool too early in the fall could result in a late-season algae bloom and, consequently, a green pool when you open. If you are looking at green or black water, it may be a couple of weeks and a good cleaning before the pool is ready for use," says Meece.

Black and/or green pools can be breeding grounds for dangerous bacteria, which can lead to staph infections of the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and ears.

Claim your home to stay up-to-date of your home‘s value and equity.

It's important to get baseline readings on your pool's level of chlorine, pH, alkalinity, cyanuric acid, and calcium hardness.

"Using those baselines, adjust chemicals to make sure your water is safe and clean," says Meece. "If chemicals aren't at their appropriate levels, swimmers run the risk of getting skin irritations and other safety issues."

For a saltwater pool, you should also check the salt parts per million (ppm) level.

Handle all pool chemicals cautiously, and avoid contact with your skin and grass.

If your pump and filter aren't working properly, then chemicals won't be circulating as they should. A pump being turned off for the winter can cause damage to the pool system and mean it wasn't properly winterized.

"Look for visible leaks or loose ground wires that could cause safety problems, and be sure to clear out any nests or other insect homes before running your pump to avoid clogs and mechanical malfunctions," says Meece.

Opening your pool for the season gives you an opportunity to evaluate your pump's life span. A pool pump will last an average of 8 to 12 years, and homeowners with a sand filter should have the sand replaced every five years.

Before opening your pool for the season, check that ladders and handrails are firmly reinstalled. Ladders and stairs are common areas for injuries.

To help minimize this risk, use slip-resistant coatings or tape on ladders and stairs, colored tile on pool edges, and in-ground pool lights.

Does your pool area feature a slide or diving board? The bolts may have loosened over the winter and should be tightened and reinforced.

Anayat Durrani is a freelance education reporter for U.S. News and World Report. Her work has been featured in Military Officer, California Lawyer, the American Scholar, and PracticeLink magazines.