How To OPEN An INGROUND POOL | Swim University

[@SwimUniversity]

We hope this helps you open your inground pool this year! If you want more help with pool maintenance, be sure to download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet at www.swimuniversity.com/cheatsheet

[@starlexkun5456]

First

[@aircapitalsole]

Been in my home for 6 years and this is my go-to video every spring to not miss any steps when I open my pool. Thank you @swimUniversity

[@kramed67037]

i have to say, I just got a house with a pool and this is the first time I have ever tried to open one...your video was not only very informative, but entertaining as well...thank you so much for making this easier.

[@mikeytappe]

Watch this video every year! Thanks again

[@Cream.soda0]

I come to this video every year lol to open my pool, I’m a new pool owner and I don’t want to pay hundreds to maintain I do it myself. This video helps so much if you know what items he’s talking about. :) thnx

[@SwimUniversity]

So glad you found this helpful!

[@davepostma2695]

By far the best video Ive watched on opening a pool, do my own every year but still watch the instructional's, adding the humor makes it that much more fun to watch

[@doncherney8649]

Lube that baby! Lube it! -don from Lorain Ohio USA

[@roller9158]

Who wants to swim, I would rather dance to the music.....Great Video!

[@meganconnors7092]

This is the best pool opening video on the internet! Thanks!

[@pierrekitts7089]

My go-to video that ensures that I open my pool correctly every year ! Thanks, Swim University!

[@WW-cq5in]

Thank you! After watching this video last year I opened my pool for the 1st time myself. Just watched this video again for a refresher.

[@MrsMags91]

Should it be turned to backwash first before turning it to filter mode?

[@IvanSchlachter]

Great video - I watch it every year around this time. Thanks!

[@SwimUniversity]

So glad this helps you open your pool each year!

[@vanessamancini3335]

Tries to open my pool myself, it was a no go. So after an hour of tears and trying to think of how to get the money to get it fixed I watched your video and it is up and running. Thank you thank you thank you

[@SwimUniversity]

So glad it helped!

[@yakkayakka360]

This outta save me a few hundred bucks this year. Will be trying this for sure!

[@fredlagunas742]

Very informative video and we followed step by step all the instructions and it almost went flawlessly. One BIG step you forgot to mention when actually turning on the pool was ours needed water in the housing before it would start to circulate. Luckily, one of our neighbors was nearby and saw our mistake. Other than that... you guys saved us 330 bucks for a hour of work.

[@buhboni7324]

Would you recommend skimming the pool (to prevent debris in water lines) and draining water (to roughly mid skimmer level) prior to running the pump? In my view, no point having it filter water that you're just going to drain anyways

[@JaredV34]

Spot on

[@smithaminto]

Thank You for the video! We were able to open the pool watching this!

[@SwimUniversity]

Glad I could help!

[@vincentesquilin]

this guy reminds me of Mack from "It's Always Sunny is Philadelphia".

[@DMDOGG]

Literally was just about to write that

[@draidonbarker9986]

Lol I thought the same thing thats great!

[@JL-yl8gd]

According to the road sign at 15:08 they are only like a half hour from Philly. Maybe there’s Mac, Country Mac (RIP) and pool Mac.

[@mistyskye4180]

Smart mac?

[@PamLyles-y4c]

This is by far one of the best tutorial videos I've seen. I do have a question. I have a sand system, so wouldn't I removed the winterizing plugs and ice compensators after I setup the filter and pump, so water will not pour out? Of course, I would not start it until after said winterizing plugs and ice compensators out.

[@ray.a7343]

What do u do with the pool antifreeze that u poured in the lines to not freeze?u just let them drain in pool?

[@hamsterchicken1216]

I have same question. No one answered yet.

[@wisdomSP]

ME @.30 seconds: Pause and went to get a beer. This is going to be good! Thank you!

[@chantalmassicotte3934]

Just a note, you should add new teflon tape on the pump plugs to make sure nothing leaks.

[@ZEITGEISTHEAVEN]

thanks man

[@LISNPodcastClips]

9:03 - Good Job looool

[@stephenclark5981]

Nice video. Very helpful. Big TY

[@chenzenzo]

The round thing is clamp buckle. First thing after thank off those buckles is to spray the anchors with WD40. Then proceed to drill em down to prevent your covers from tearing. Then remove the cover by pulling it with two people from the top (whichever side of the pool has more space). Pull it and fold into a long fan. Let it sit and dry a bit while you continue. Then remove the plugs With drain plugs, get the bottom plug that's further away from the wall first, then the second which is closer to the wall. Then slowly remove the next plug which is on the side of the main drain and hold it so that it does pop out and air can escape slowly. Otherwise pressure built up may release to fast and you'll be covered in gross water. Put eyeball valves in the returns to direct the water once you're ready to start up. Then proceed with the filter. Then roll and remove the bag. Program the heater and your done. 😉👍🏼

[@ma7rix13]

Thanks! I’m in NJ too. You must be south bc a “mild” winter up north will still go below 32 often.

[@peacehugnugs]

very good for a first video keep up the good work

[@realist8082]

This is an outstanding video. Thanks

[@angiesanderson7715]

Thank you for this! My pool guy canceled 2x so with your help I opened it myself. Also after I watched I noticed it’s 11yrs old & opening a pool is still the same 😆🤣

[@SwimUniversity]

Glad you could do it yourself! And yes, nothing really changes!

[@br0ken86]

Great video, very helpful as this is my first year owning a pool, thanks!

[@richengel8346]

That gal is hott in the video

[@kennethleung7013]

Thanks for the video! how necessary is it to prime the pump?

[@donalconlon]

Great video. I had two plugs in the skimmer, so removed both of those (assuming that's right!). Also had to turn one of the black valves.

[@onerisbarett4020]

Man dude! Wish you were in northern VA. I could use a pool smart guy like you out here this instant. Thank you for filming this video. Really helpful!

[@SwimUniversity]

Glad to help!

[@amberjay5361]

Thank you so much

[@dianelowrey4339]

Glad I live in the south my pool is clean and clear all year around.

[@gailreid3541]

Diane Lowrey i wish mine was. 😒

[@Duke52DDOJ]

Would've liked to see the finished product

[@jonellen4614]

Thank you! Very good video. We bought our first home with a pool and thought you had to hire someone to open and close our pool. But, I was home last year when they opened it and they were there for less that 15 minutes... and I paid a cool $308.00!! So, this year we decided to try it ourselves. But, we got stumped when we found 3 plugs in the pump housing. So, I came to KZbin. You answered all our questions... and then some. Thanks again!!

[@jarrodabel4529]

No after pictures? Great video, thank you

[@SD-zx1uh]

I enjoyed this video, i didnt think it was too long and it was very helpful to see the installation tools/hex guy being used. Thank you!

[@KarenReadsTaillight]

This was very instructive. I'm just curious why you dilute the pool shock? It makes complete sense to me but none of our pool guys has ever done it. Thanks!

[@SwimUniversity]

It prevents it from collecting on the bottom of the pool. Fast-dissolving shock, like dichlor shock, doesn't need to be diluted.

[@KarenReadsTaillight]

@@SwimUniversity I wonder if it would’ve helped keep our French gray finish from mottling so much?

[@ronderulijkummar7453]

Should've put winterizing chemicals in it, my Dad always did ! And whenever we opened it up in the late spring, the water was clear . Of course we had to immediately put chlorine in it!

[@kasanj]

Yea same thing happened to me. Opened it up (never opened a pool before) and the water was dark green with huge masses of algae that looks like seaweed floating in the water and also covering the bottom. Skimmed out the algae masses and double shocked it. By today the water is blue but cloudy - I can see about four feet down. Shocked it again and hopefully it will clear up on its own. Thanks for the vid, it gave me everything I needed to learn how to open the pool. Great job.

[@peterbell9683]

Hi Matt... I haven't read all 135 comments so, apologies if you've answered this one already but: Is there sequence to removing the winter plugs? In addition to what you show in your video, we have a caretaker system... that's the gadget that has pop up heads in the floor of the pool, those closest to the waters top (the steps) get removed and replaced w/ plugs for the winter as does the "timing device" (geared to operate under water pressure) which has about 6 pipes (returns) running to it. Each of those 6 pipes are plugged for the winter. Back to my sequence question. IF you're not careful, simply loosening the wing nuts on one of these 6 plugs... if you're not hanging on... it gets sucked DOWN into the pipe!!! And let me tell ya, what a piece of work getting that out... an effort I don't think the pool service company has made in years past. Is there a sequence to relieving the pressure on these plugs so we don't have to panic about how to hold on to them? Where should we start? Other than that lil wrinkle, we never have any issues opening our pool. Thanking in advance for this lil "trade secret." Peter

[@ndomenech6]

I live in an island warm all year round, I need to cover the pool for construction work, how do I mantine it.

[@uncleles8]

Very helpful video. I do wonder that you never mention a need for stabilizer. Is this just optional or something that you should use out of the gate? Thanks!

[@prola81]

Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid (CYA)) acts as sunscreen for your chlorine. You should shock the pool always after the sun goes down, and let the filter run for 24hr upon opening. If you shock it in the daytime, the UV rays from the sun will deplete your chlorine in an hour or two without stabilizer. Shock at night, let filter run, then in the morning test your water. Around 30-50 ppm is ideal. It very likely will be 0. You’ll want to run the filter for 3-5 days before adding CYA. I use the granulated form (looks like salt). I add it directly to the skimmer basket but the pump must be running continuously. It can take a few days for the CYA reading to go up. Very important to add a small amount at a time! If you put too much CYA in your pool, you’ll have to drain water and re-add to get the CYA levels down (been there, done that, not fun). Take it slow, KZbin is your friend! Good luck!

[@RandyTillman20]

I am a new pool owner and the house I bought came with a pool that hasn’t been open in year….. can I just drain all the water and start over?

[@doubs22]

Where do you get all the wooder? Can't seem to find wooder outside of NJ and Philly.

[@SwimUniversity]

It's a rare form of H2O ;-)

[@macier6589]

I love it ! I heard it and was like oh philly philly 🦅

[@rustyp21]

So, our builder plastered and filled our pool 5 days ago and hasn’t done ANYTHING to treat the water yet. He says he will be here tomorrow (6 days after it was filled) to treat it. Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance!

[@Iaco__]

Thanks gng 🙏

[@NickkGonzalez]

i just opened my pool (inground SALT pool ) and its very very dark green almost black lol. Whats the first step I should take ? is it to shock the pool or adjust my ph and alkalinity levels ? also I have a DE filter ..so when do I add de to my skimmers ? is that first before I add shock or do I do it after the shock ?

[@giuseppesanto3074]

Hey Matt, I see you guys went to Danzi's in this video, are you from that area? That store is 15mins from my home. I've watched all your video's, learned a ton from ya! Keep up the good work and videos!

[@SwimUniversity]

Yup! I’m from Williamstown. That was the first pool store I worked at when I was 13 years old.

[@giuseppesanto3074]

That’s awesome! You still live in Williamstown? I’m fairly new to the pool scene, but your videos have helped me out a lot. I’ve always driven by Danzi’s but never actually went in. I was using Landi Pool and Games in Vineland last year but probably gonna switch up and try Danzi’s.

[@scashner]

Great video. Thanks for posting. Jump in Nicole - that pool was green/black!

[@rachet7307]

She's like "Good friend??" j/k Great videos!!

[@jeepyjb]

Wodder. Hahaha. Jersey!

[@tourage098]

what is the "ice compensator" for? thank you.

[@Bunkysworkshop]

The shock I bought is by Clorox and the active ingredients is sodium dichloro -s-triazinetrione. 58%. The package says that its for liner pools and will not bleach out the liner. Thoughts???

[@lisawebb8568]

Hi I've tested my pool a number of times and the chlorine when I put in the yellow drops is coming out red

[@imerm3196]

Question i am replacing my sand in in the filter but i don’t know how much sand to put in all the info on the filter is gone and its the same size as yours how much sand does it take? Thanks

[@TheSara4882]

What about the antifreeze? That just stays in the pool?

[@TylerBaxtah]

Sweet camera work, and wife!

[@aprilhoward3361]

We just baught a new house and this is my first inground pool. Your video helped me alot, but my filter is set up different and I'm not quiet sure if the pressure gauge goes on top of filter( actually a whole in top side area) or in the whole right infront of the handle for filter/winter ect. ??

[@DJ-ANZ]

thanks for a helpful video!!1 Cheers!

[@johnzima9505]

Cool Video! I like to fill in my 18'x36' in ground pool Please. What it costs and can you do so? I live in NJ. To old to enjoy it any more. Thank you.

[@charlatyers7105]

Agree. Gets worse each year.

[@MuslimWinterz]

Appreciate the video! Beats spending $200 for my local company to swing by the house for 10 minutes

[@ScoutzMcGyver]

We have an in-ground with safety -cover and I'm wondering if there are any reels made for these for more frequent use then just open/close - much like a solar cover. Any help is appreciated!

[@cravenmorpus]

Not for a safety cover like this. But CoverStar makes an automatic cover that can be installed to turn a key an it's glides across the pool with a track the install on both sides of the pool. There are more discrete ones, but you need to have these installed during installation of the pool. On top concrete ones can be installed after. But they are not rated like a safety cover. Safety covers are the only kind i know of that are safe and secure enough for people to walk across. They even use an elephant standing on one as advertisment. Idk about that honestly, but certain will keep humans or animals safe from drowning.

[@Yankeestonk]

awesome video. thanks!

[@giancolapools4816]

what do you do if you have a water fall?

[@donaldmott4582]

Hey, nice job. Informative, entertaining, and the music is great. You are a multi-talented individual.

[@Noneya1775]

How do you get the antifreeze they put in the pipes out??

[@derekpredmore1516]

How long did it take to get clear blue

[@meesterSmeeth4182]

Where in NJ are you located? I work for a pool company in Forked River.

[@smsfree4allguy]

Is this same chemical for pools with Salt Chlorine generator system?

[@Ghost_Legacy]

Is there an updated video

[@thomasgarrett5371]

Matt, I am interested in acquiring a pool security cover like the one used in Sicklerville. Can you recommend a source for measuring and purchasing such a cover. Thank you.

[@adambarber486]

I have a 18 ft above ground pool just put it up and it has gone. Green be n up about a week I did shock and it dosent work grr I need help please someone

[@michaelnewman8592]

It's curious to me that you didn't remove all (most) of the debris before starting the pump. Wouldn't that make sense so the skimmer and/or filter doesn't get clogged?

[@mikefitzpatrick43]

It does but alot of people do it this way then clean it

[@alisterjackson8159]

I know that we are at the beginning of summer but what kind of machine would you use to blow the water out of the pipes when closing the pool in winter.

[@MrDandaman137]

a shop vac will do the job.

[@powellad1008]

I love that doggie!

[@apex36]

how long did the water take to clear?

[@johannamaclean9482]

I've cleared the leaves from the bottom of my pool as best as i could with a debris scoop. I'm running my vacuum on waste, do i need to clear my filter basket every few minutes when if fills up with debris? I feel like it will take me all summer to clear my pool up. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Great videos btw!!!

[@SwimUniversity]

Yea, always keep your baskets clean. Check out our video on clearing up a pool: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppSylYtubJmpjbs

[@falifx1]

Question: Do you need to drain water of a winterized inground pool as it fills from rain or melting snow over the winter? I assume if it filled to the point of overflowing you would out of common sense. However, if it naturally fills from melting snow and/or rain do you need to drain your pool? I noticed the pool above was full of water (assuming from winter snow and rain). Also, is green water common? Ours was green when we looked at it.

[@jamessmith6145]

If you have tiling on your pool you should pump the water out before it gets to it in case of a refreeze it can pop your tiles but it been a mild winter so you should be good.

[@falifx1]

@@jamessmith6145 Thank You

[@redhog1arkie395]

No vacumning before filtering....?

[@bullmk]

My guy knows his stuff. But pls leave the lube jokes at the chlorine store

[@alisterjackson8159]

I'm not trying to be awkward.What size of air compressor should I use ,we have a 20 x 40 pool. Many thanks A.J. P.S Your videos are straight and to the point and lots of fun. thanks.

[@mihaeladog7187]

If the water is clean blue when you open do you still need yo shock it?

[@MrDandaman137]

yesss! you want to get rid of all the bad bacteria in it.

[@StartVisit]

what about alkalinity and PH? 😮

[@lison973]

Pool builder wanted to charge 675. We’re going to give this a shot.

[@adrianiglesias5521]

woow congratulation it was very nice tanks !!!

[@1111Paiste]

What do we do with a filter system that was treated with pool antifreeze when the pool guy closed it in the fall? Do we just let the antifreeze dissipate?

[@cpy]

backwash it out

[@LiquidPoolCovers]

Matt, not only are you fantastically entertaining, but you do a great job teaching pool opening techniques! I thoroughly enjoyed your video and I can't wait to see what you come up with next! Are you going to add the steps you took and products you used to the description of the video for quick reference, by chance? Thanks for sharing! Monique Nelson, Flexible Solutions

[@sharoncam10kyle]

Is that pump a pentair whisperflo? If it is, so much for the WHISPER!!!

[@erykah1307]

My pool needs opening... but no one really comes out to Chatsworth. #SadPanda And it turns out everyone already knows how to do their own cause they grew up with them. Sucks being the new kids in a small village.

[@datsuntoyy]

New Jersey and hot. Two words I never thought I'd hear together. I've seen 127 where I'm at. We did 34 days over 110 last year. How "hot" does NJ get? As for the pool, did the one shock treatment do the trick?

[@47EGS]

He should know this. Also, don't use calcium hypo. It clouds the water and adds hardness. Unless you have very soft water, 20ppm or below, don't use cal.hypo. Use liquid chlorine. And triple shock?? Shocking is a process, not an event. You need to shock each day until the water becomes white/grey and chlorine loses only 1-2ppm, & filter & backwash once per day. I'm a REAL pool guy who had a route (50+ pools) in Arizona, also was pool operator for YMCA. PolyQuat 60 for opening & closing

[@ronderulijkummar7453]

Well darling you can come clean my pool,I live in Kentucky! But I pay well !!

[@rickgiles8426]

Prime that pump every time.

[@JohnnySkuzbucket]

I appreciate you trying to make this entertaining but, this video could have been at least 10 minutes shorter. However, it was very helpful so, thank you.

[@cheermom4lfe]

Johnny Skuzbucket hh and the 5

[@Jazzae_Xo1]

Wheres the second video?

[@supersly3211]

What do I do if there’s still antifreeze in the skimmer?

[@MrDandaman137]

Nothing, it's food grade antifreeze and it won't harm you.