How to restart your pool?

When to reopen and restart your swimming pool?

The reactivation of your pool after the cold period should be carried out as soon as possible, after the end of the frost and before the water temperature reaches 12°C. Indeed, as soon as the water reaches this temperature, bacteria and other microorganisms begin to multiply, which will make maintaining your water more difficult (risk of algae, fungi, etc.).

⚠️ Important: if you use a salt chlorinator to treat your pool water, it is necessary to use chlorine tablets for disinfection until the water exceeds 15°C. Below this temperature, never activate your chlorinator, otherwise you will irreversibly damage your cell.

In general, the winterizing exit process takes place between mid-March and late April. If you wait until May, you risk facing the first spells of heat, which will complicate the restarting of your pool (for the reasons mentioned above). Moreover, this will lead to additional costs to restore your pool to proper condition.

If winterizing was done correctly and the exit was not too late, you should normally not see any algae in your pool.

Restarting a pool after active winterizing

In the case of active winterizing, the filtration pump keeps your water circulating and keeps it in good condition. It is therefore the easiest method to quickly and easily put your pool back into service.

Steps to follow to take your pool out of active winterizing

Here are all the steps to follow to put your pool back into service after an active winterizing :

1. If your pool has an automatic roller shutter: open it and clean the slats with a water jet (avoid using a pressure washer to keep from damaging the shutter slats).

2. Start the filtration pump and perform a backwash of the sand filter.

3. If you have a DE (diatomaceous earth) filter: open it, remove the grids one by one and clean them with a water jet. You can then reassemble them and close the filter. Don’t forget to renew the DE charge (refer to the instructions on the filter).

4. Readjust your filtration cycles on your timer clock taking into account the water temperature (method… of your pool water if necessary, ensuring it reaches the proper level. This ensures correct operation of the filtration system and equipment.

5. Check the Total Alkalinity (T.A.) of your water. It should be between 60 and 80 ppm (or between 6 and 8°f). Inappropriate T.A. could lead to pH instability.

6. Adjust your pH so that it sits between 7.0 and 7.4. Avoid letting rain or snow acidify your water.

7. If you use a salt chlorinator, measure your salt concentration and add the required amount. Refer to your user manual to know what salt level your device requires. Tip: to increase your concentration by 1g/L, you will need to add 3 kg of salt per cubic meter of water.

8. Now that your water parameters are set, perform a shock chlorination, unless your pool is treated with BIGUANIDE (PHMB) or active oxygen.

⚠️ Be sure to deactivate all automatic treatment devices during shock chlorination (salt chlorinator, pH regulator, Copper/Silver disinfection device, etc.).

9. Wait 48 hours after the shock chlorination, then perform a maintenance treatment: use either long-lasting chlorine tablets, or start your automatic disinfection system (electrolysis, redox regulator, UV lamp, or Copper/Silver treatment).

⚠️ Caution: ensure you only start your salt chlorinator when the water temperature is above 15 °C, otherwise you risk damaging the device’s cell.

10. If you have an automatic pH regulation device, calibrate the probe with fresh buffer solution (refer to the device manual). If an error appears during calibration, check the probe connections. If the problem persists, it is likely that the probe is worn out and requires replacement. Don’t forget to check the level of corrective product in your pH container.

11. Clean the waterline with an appropriate product.

12. You have now finished putting your pool back into service. Enjoy the sunny days ahead and have plenty of fun in your pool!

Restarting a pool after passive winterizing

Here are all the steps required to take your pool out of passive winterization.

1. If your pool is equipped with an automatic slatted cover, open it and clean it with a water jet (avoid using a pressure washer to prevent damaging the slats).

2. For a standard winter cover, remove it and clean it carefully with a water jet. Once dry, fold it and store it in a dry place.

3. Remove the gizzmos from the skimmers as well as the winter plugs from the return inlets and vacuum points. Then, remove the line of winterizing floats.

4. Fill your pool if necessary, making sure to reach the required level. This is essential for the proper operation of your filtration system and other equipment.

Fill the basin until the level reaches the middle of the skimmer.

5. Restart the filtration pump and perform a backwash of the sand filter.

6. If you have a DE (diatomaceous earth) filter: open it, remove the grids one by one and clean them using a water jet. You can then reassemble them and close the filter. Add a new charge of diatomaceous earth by referring to the label on the filter.

7. Check the T.A. (Total Alkalinity) of your water, which measures its hardness. The T.A. should be between 60 and 80 ppm (or between 6 and 8°f). Inappropriate T.A. will cause significant instability in your pH level.

8. Then adjust your pH level between 7.0 and 7.4.

9. If you have a salt chlorinator: check your salt level and add the necessary salt. To find out the quantity of salt required for your device, consult its user manual.

🛟 Practical tip : to increase your salt level by 1g/L: add 3 kg of salt per 1 m³ of water.

10. Once your water parameters are set, proceed to a shock chlorination (except for pools treated with BIGUANIDE (PHMB) or active oxygen).

⚠️ Warning : all automatic treatment devices must be turned off during the shock chlorination process (salt chlorinator, pH regulator, copper/silver disinfection device, etc.).

11. Wait 48 hours after shock chlorination and perform a base treatment with long-lasting chlorine tablets or by starting your automatic disinfection system (electrolysis, redox regulator, UV lamp, or copper/silver treatment).

⚠️ Warning : only turn on your salt chlorinator when the pool water temperature is above 15 °C. Otherwise, you risk seriously damaging your device’s cell.

12. If you have an automatic pH regulation device: calibrate the probe with a new buffer solution (consult the device manual). If the device indicates an error during calibration, check that it is correctly connected. If the problem persists, it means your probe needs to be replaced. Don’t forget to check the amount of corrective product remaining in your pH container.

13. Clean the water line using a product designed for this purpose.

14. Your pool’s restart is now complete; you can now wait for the sunny days and enjoy your pool!

Essential products to properly open and prepare your pool!

• Replacement cells for salt chlorinators
• Pool salt
• Waterline cleaner: effectively remove fatty residues and dirt along your pool’s waterline with a specific product, thus preserving the clarity and cleanliness of your pool.
• Bubble cover: protect your pool from debris and maintain water heat with a bubble cover, an economical and ecological solution to extend the swimming season while reducing energy consumption.
• Filter cartridge: ensure effective filtration by replacing your filtration system’s cartridge, guaranteeing clear water free of unwanted particles.
• Filter media for sand filters: change your filter’s media to ensure optimal operation and effective filtration throughout the season.
• Maintenance products