Understanding the Ideal Conditions
In many parts of the country, the weather is still cold and unpredictable. While it may seem odd to discuss opening a swimming pool when there is still snow in parts of the country, as Carolinians, we know those warm days can pop up as early as March. While there is no set date to open a swimming pool, there are a few things to consider when deciding on the perfect time to take off your pool cover and get the party started.
Weather
Weather is always a deciding factor when it comes to opening your pool. No one wants to go through the hassle of opening the pool for a few warm days one week only to be bombarded by unpleasant weather the following. To help gauge when to open your pool, keep an eye on the weather and think about the water temperature in your pool while swimming over the next few weeks. If you don’t see yourself taking advantage of the clean, freshly balanced water, it may not be the best time to uncover your pool.
If you have a heated pool, the weather may be less of a concern when it comes to picking the ideal time and date. While the rule of thumb is to open your pool when the weather is consistently above 70 degrees, that doesn’t mean that freezing temperatures won’t show up from time to time.
Water Temperature
Water temperature is another piece of the “pool opening puzzle.” The best time to open your pool is before your water temperature reaches 60 degrees. If you allow the water temperature to rise above that marker, you run the risk of creating the ideal conditions for algae growth.
The reason behind this magical temperature reading of 60℉ is because your pool cover is a basic passive solar heater. The pool cover allows the solar energy from the sun to be captured and warm the water found in your pool. When temperatures rise, your pool cover will warm the water. Partner the increase in water temperature with a lack of sanitizer, and you have the perfect recipe for excessive algae growth.
Other Things to Consider Before Opening Your Pool
Expenses: Consider the cost it will take to properly run your pool. Think about the costs that will occur if you open your pool too late and experience extra cleaning and maintenance issues.
Use: Ask yourself, when do I plan to actually swim in the pool? Ideally, you want to open a pool three weeks before you intend to use it to allow time to properly clean and prepare the pool.
Aesthetic: While this is not a big factor when opening your pool, think about what you want your yard space to look like during the spring months. A clean, open pool can often be the icing on the cake when it comes to a yard and landscaping ambiance.
Maintenance Checklist
Take a look at the following blog for some helpful maintenance hints when it comes to opening your pool.
Need Help?
If you have a question about the proper running of your pool or spa, stop by our Fayetteville or Lumberton location anytime to check out our products, purchase chemicals for your pool/hot tub, or get a specific question answered by one of our experts. Visit us online at www.parnellpoolandspa.com or take a look at our Facebook page.
Want to read more about interesting pool topics?
Take a look at the following blogs:
- What Is Chlorine Demand and How Does It Affect My Pool Chemistry?
- Pool Chemicals -vs- Spa Chemicals
- What Is “Chlorine Demand” and How Does It Affect My Pool?
