How to Summerize Your Pool
Get the water up to three quarters of the way up the skimmer, refit your plugs, prime the pump, then check every fitting for leaks.
This article covers restarting your equipment after winter. For the full seasonal job, including removing and storing your cover and getting your chemicals back in range, see opening your pool for the season.
Before you start the pump
- Bring the water level up to about three quarters of the way up the skimmer opening. The pump needs water above the skimmer to draw from.
- Install the plugs into your pump, filter and plumbing. If you have a flooded system, do the plumbing too.
- Remove the winter plugs from your returns and skimmers. It is easy to start the system with these still in.
Starting the system
- Set your filter valve to the filter position.
- Fill the pump with water, then start the system.
- Once the pump primes, walk the whole equipment pad and check around every fitting for leaks. Winter is hard on seals and unions, and a slow leak found now is a great deal cheaper than one found in August.
Putting everything back
Reinstall your ladder, handrails, skimmer and pump baskets, and your automatic cleaner.
Once the system is running, let the pump circulate for 24 to 48 hours so all the water passes through the filter.
Keeping it running
Backwash your sand filter once a week, or whenever the pressure gauge rises 8 to 10 lbs above normal, whichever comes first. Clean a DE or cartridge filter as per its instructions.
The full walkthrough
Our blog post on summerizing your pool covers the equipment restart alongside cover removal and chemicals.
Still need help?
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