Pool Care /
How to Open an Above Ground Pool Safely and Smoothly
Open an above ground pool by inspecting the cover and equipment, clearing debris, restoring circulation, and testing the water before anyone swims.
Archive date: this article was written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026 and given the earlier archive date of Aug 18, 2026 so the blog reads as an organized archive. It was not published on that date.
Opening an above ground pool
There is a proper order to opening an above ground pool. One should inspect the cover and any equipment in sight, clear out what was left over from winter, get the circulation going and put the water through its paces with some cleaning and testing before it is fit for swimming. The prudent course of action is to be on the lookout for leaks or electrical issues at the outset and to adhere to your chemical labels and equipment manual.
Pre-cover removal checks
Do not just pull the cover off; check for indications the pool requires some work first. Look for:
- A cover that is torn, has shifted or is sagging
- Any rust, loose top rails or damage to the liner
- Fittings that are not tight, gaskets in poor shape or cracked hoses
- Excessive debris, staining or unexplained loss of water
Should you come across a leak you can not put your finger on, or any structural or electrical faults, put the job aside and put in a call to a pool professional.
Removing the cover properly
To keep from dumping leaves and dirt into the water, the best method is to deal with the loose debris on the cover before you start lifting it. If there is water or other material on top of the winter cover, take care to remove it before you fold or move the thing.
A sensible way to proceed is as follows:
1. Get the standing water, sticks and leaves off the cover. 2. Take the cover off in a manner that keeps the debris out of the pool. 3. Have a good look at the plumbing, skimmer, ladder, walls and waterline. 4. Put back in place any parts you took out for the winter, per the manufacturer’s manual. 5. Prime and turn on the pump, but only as the instructions say to do. 6. Make sure the filtration system is doing its job.
Getting the system up and running
With the pump in operation, work from the top down for easier cleanup. Skim the surface to begin with, then give the floor and walls a brush and vacuum up what has settled at the bottom.
Hayward’s own maintenance advice is to run the pump for adequate filtration and to service the filter as the maker intends, while making sure the skimmer is kept clean. In the process, remember to:
- Shut the pump down before you open the skimmer basket.
- Backwash or clean the filter in line with the manual.
- Maintain a water level the skimmer can handle.
- Only put ladders and such back on if the manufacturer says so.
Is the pool ready?
You will know when it is time to swim by the clarity of the water and normal operation of the pump and filter. Test results should fall within the safe parameters set by the product label or a pro. If the water has an odd smell, is green or cloudy, more circulating and cleaning is in order before anyone gets in.
Things to steer clear of
It is easy to make mistakes in the excitement of opening day. Some of the more common ones are starting the pump without checking for dry equipment or leaks, adding chemicals without giving the label a read, or trying to swim in an unbalanced pool. Do not attempt any electrical work yourself and never put a hand in operating suction gear.
Time to call in an expert
If you have a problem you can not resolve with the manual, or one of the following presents itself, seek assistance from a qualified pool technician:
- A tripped breaker or wiring you deem unsafe
- Water that remains contaminated despite your efforts
- Ongoing leaks once the pump is back on
- Damage to a wall panel or the liner
An expert can ensure the pool is opened without turning a minor issue into something more serious.
Sources and further reading
- [Hayward: Weekly pool maintenance](https://www.hayward.com/maintenance/weekly-pool-maintenance)