How to Open your Swimming Pool by yourself- Easy Step By Steps

[@anthonya8412]

One of the best pool openings videos out there. Thx

[@DDIY-Guy]

this comment just made my day. thank you for the kind words. have a great rest of the week!

[@alexeimagher9083]

Thanks soooo much for your video. Moved into the house with in-ground pool. Now looking forward to start it up, but have no clue what to start from.

[@DDIY-Guy]

Opening is pretty straightforward....closing the pool is a different story. I would suggest you get a professional to close it for the first few years. It’s really important to make sure you blow out the pipes before winter and seal it properly or you might end up with a burst pipe or leaks. Anyway.....enjoy the new pool!

[@alexeimagher9083]

@@DDIY-Guy Thanks alot!!!

[@143bjmass]

concise steps ! ty. could you do a winter closing video too pls ?

[@DDIY-Guy]

Will do one in the fall and post. Thanks for commenting.

[@stefanbaumann3706]

Hi - when do you typically close your pool? Perhaps you'd be able to share a video of your closing process? Cheers

[@DDIY-Guy]

Planning to close my pool after thanksgiving weekend. The later the better so it helps prevent algae from growing during those warm temperature fall days. I will try to do a video but I would highly recommend you get a pool company to close it professionally since you really have to make sure they blow out your lines properly and you need the proper air compressor and attachments to do that. It will be way more expensive for you to have to fix a leak in your water lines than it is to have your pool closed properly.

[@chenzenzo]

Danny, drop half a bottle of Algaecide first in the shallow, then three scoops of shock in the deep end. Do this once it's primed and running. I'm professional pool technician. I agree with you to a point on saving money, but the stuff we use can turn a black pool of death clear blue in 24 hours or less. We also know what we're doing when it comes to your system and your water.

[@DDIY-Guy]

True. when you open your pool too late in the spring and the milder weather turns your pool into dark, algae and dirty mess...it’s best to call in the professionals to get the water properly balanced again. I usually try and open my pool in the month of April here in Canada so the water is still crystal clear since the colder temperatures minimizes the algae growth. Makes for open the pool much easier.

[@dexterjones8914]

I'm opening the pool of death right now

[@DDIY-Guy]

When it gets to green with algae, I would take a scrubber attachment for the long pole and loosen all the algae on the side walls. Then take 20L container of liquid chlorine (you can get from your local pool store) and shock the pool to kill all the algae. Do this at sundown for the best results. By the next day, you water should be pretty blue again. Then vacuum all the debris at the bottom while setting your filter at “waste”. This will skip the filter and throw out the dirty water out directly.

[@segagirladventurespico]

chenzenzo trying to figure out how to prime my hayward machine hope its in this video first time opening

[@henstradesign4802]

Just an FYI...the hth start up kit from Costco (May 2023) doesn't come with the 4L Degreaser. Instructions say do shock first; day 2 use Clarifier; and at dusk of 2nd day use Metal and Stain Defense.

[@henstradesign4802]

Just an FYI Danny... hth no longer carries the 4L Degreaser product. In case viewers are wondering why the hth start up kit doesn't include it as per your video from 2017. Thanks Danny!

[@DDIY-Guy]

thank you for commenting and the updates. I should really make an updated video.

[@henstradesign4802]

You didn't talk about the skimmer if it's capped during the winter. And do you know anything about the pool's night time lights? Some pool guys take the lights out on "closing" the pool. Thanks!

[@DDIY-Guy]

Sorry I missed the skimmer part. Hope it was easy to take out for you. As for lights....not sure about that one. Sorry.

[@independentmelissa]

Detach the pool light and drop it to the bottom of the pool in winter. Secure it with a weight of some sort. You need to get the light below the freeze line.

[@henstradesign4802]

@@independentmelissa Thank you for the reply. I appreciate it. Enjoy your pool this summer! CheersS

[@henstradesign4802]

Are your prices in Canadian dollars? I paid $6.49 CDN for 1 bag of pool salt at Costco. Thanks!

[@DDIY-Guy]

Yes,it’s Canadian dollars.

[@sbtpaul]

We are the first time pool owner and called on pool service. They opened up the pool, poured some chlorine, started the pump in filter mode and advised us to wait for a day. However, after a day we still see dark layers at the bottom (algae or dirt?) and the pool water is still turbid. We sent down the robot in pool 3/4 times and the water is still turbid with suspended particles of different size. Not sure what to do now and where to start from. Please advise.

[@DDIY-Guy]

Sorry to here that....because you waited too long to open the pool, there is probably a lot of algae. Don’t use the robot when you can’t see the bottom and if there is a lot of dirt there....you will potentially damage your expensive robot vac. First go to your local pool store and get a 20L container of liquid chlorine...you can reuse the container whenever you need to do a good shock of your pool ($10/refill). Then just before dusk, pour the chlorine around the perimeter of the pool (were clothes that you don’t mind ruining in case you get the chlorine on them). Your water should be cleared by the next day. Then take your vacuum and slowly vacuuming the bottom of the pool. Backwash. When your filter pressure is above 16-18. Clean you filter basket often as well. Don’t get sold on dumping expensive chemicals in your pool. Shock first, clear your water, then get it tested.....then let me know what the results are and I can recommend next steps. Keep me posted

[@sbtpaul]

@@DDIY-Guy They opened the pool and immediately poured about 6 x one gallon bottle of 12.5% sodium hypochlorite. Isn't that enough chlorine already? I'll keep you posted. Thanks in advance for your help.

[@kcyoun9628]

when do you put algae guard? do you backwash water out after putting that liquid?

[@DDIY-Guy]

When you open your pool the water level should be pretty high past the skimmer from all the rainfall and snow over off season. So first get the pump running, then set the filter on “Waste” and start vacuuming the debris and leaves off the pool floor. This will throw out any debris that you don’t want getting into you filter. Once the water level is down to the level you want, turn your filter to the normal setting so you get water circulation through your pool. At this point scrub your pool walls and floors and loosen up any algae that you see, then you can put the algae guard and the rest of the chemicals you have in your starter kit (in the order of the instructions you got with it). Leave the chlorine for last and for best results, wait till sundown to put it in.

[@kcyoun9628]

@@DDIY-Guy I just shock my pool using costco opening kit, when do i put metal stuff after shocking the pool? thanks.

[@DDIY-Guy]

You are not supposed to mix chemicals at the same time so just wait a few hours.

[@chenzenzo]

Half a bottle of Algaecide should be put in the shallow end and 3 scoops of shock should be put in the deep end. Do it once the plugs are pulled and returns eyes are in, and you've started the pump.

[@lindsaynoah-emmycastelli7150]

We have the glass bottle that it's separated from our filter do u have any advice or links how we put that together. Thanks.

[@DDIY-Guy]

Is that that little bottle about a 2 inches big? If it is it goes on the side of the filter head where the water comes out for the backwash and waste. It for you to see how dirty the water is when it’s pumping out to waste so when the water becomes clear, that’s when you know when to stop the backwash.

[@dexterjones8914]

I died when u put the trash bag on

[@DDIY-Guy]

Ya, my arm gets pretty numb when it’s in the freezing water too long :-)

[@em13thirteen]

Amazon has long gloves that people use to clean fish tanks. I find they work good for cleaning dirty water lines.

[@DDIY-Guy]

Awesome! I will look into it now. Thanks for the tip :-)

[@jjfedor]

what happens to the antifreeze that was in the pool for winter?

[@DDIY-Guy]

anti- freeze specifically for your pool is not harmful and is biodegradable. It is safe and doesn’t need to be flushed out. It might have a little smell but it goes away after a week.

[@secomeco724]

What kind off liquid do you use for winters

[@DDIY-Guy]

WinterProof Water System Antifreeze that you can get from your local pool store.

[@jjfedor]

Pool non-toxic stuff

[@jjfedor]

yes

[@meaghapedia]

I'm a 1st time pool owner and looking to change the existing pool to a salt-water pool. I currently have the brown Hayward chlorine feeder attached to the pump and was under the impression that I could detach that and install the salt cell in it's place. Is there a reason you have both hooked up on yours?

[@DDIY-Guy]

I don’t really use my chlorinating feeder and just have not disconnected completely. It’s actually good as a backup in case you salt cell fails and you need to sustain the chlorine levels of your pool while it gets repaired. It’s also good in the beginning and end of the season when you hardly use the pool and want to save the lifetime of your salt cell (which is expensive to replace). I open my pool in early April and the water is too cold for my salt-cell to operate so it’s good for those times as well.

[@meaghapedia]

DDIY GUY Danny Jose thank you for the reply! Makes sense!

[@deultimateusername]

Do you turn on the filter after adding the degreaser? Or are you supposed to just let it sit in the water?

[@DDIY-Guy]

Yes, add the degreaser or stain/scale chemical to your pool, turn on the pump, set your filter to waste and vacuum out as much debris from the bottom of your pool as possible. Then shock the pool.

[@seltonk5136]

Titel should be “Macho dude opens pool with quick attitude and flimsy attire”

[@magicman5187]

So I attempted to open my in ground pool today and while trying to take cover off i accidentally got all the dam leaves/debris in my water now it’s a total mess... part 2 tomorrow where should I start? I didn’t turn pump on or anything yet ....

[@DDIY-Guy]

No worries about all the debris that came off the cover, just get your pump going first. You can always vacuum it while your pump is set to waste to throw out all that debris to the sewage. If you can’t see the bottom if the pool while vacuuming, just do your best to until the water level gets down to the level you need the pool at. Then shock the pool. That will clear up the water overnight, you will then see the rest of the debris at the bottom the next day. You can then continue to vacuum your pool properly but this time set it to filter, then backwash when the water pressure gets low.. make sure you check your leaf basin at the pump often and clean it out when needed. If the water is still blurry after a day from shocking it....go to your local pool store and get yourself some liquid chlorine... a 10L jug will do . Pour that around the perimeter of the pool and make sure you wear gloves and clothes that you don’t mind getting ruined in case the chlorine gets on them. Anyway. Keep me posted.

[@KevinWeills]

NEVER turn your Hayward pump handle counter clockwise...always turn it the opposite way

[@DDIY-Guy]

Thank you for the tip.

[@jeffreyd3174]

Was unaware of that, thanks. I'm sure it will save me some pain down the road.

[@segagirladventurespico]

i didnt know that! im trying to figure out how to get the water to run to my hayward sand filter thing its my first time opening it alone! i think its called prime my pool pump

[@DDIY-Guy]

It helps if you get your garden hose and slowly fill your pump with water. Then turn on the pump on for 5 seconds to suck the water through, then turn it off again and fill...repeat about 6 times, then seal the pump again after filling it up with water but this time turn it on and keep it running. It should get the water flowing through.

[@JOETERRANY]

Why not manually scoop the debris out with a leaf net? Or at least use a leaf canister when vacuuming?

[@DDIY-Guy]

If you open the pool early enough, the water will be clear and you will see that there is not much leaves at the bottom. I only had to empty out the pump filter 3 times for tue leaves. But I guess you can manually scoop it out if you have the patience for it...but you should be careful not to scrape the liner too much or you might cause a rip. A leaf canister would be ideal. But you want to throw out the fine debris vs recirculating it back in the water. You might find that by doing the manual scooping and leaf canister that your water becomes murky. When I set it to waste, it bypasses the filter and throws out all the debris out directly. My pool ends up crystal clear :-).

[@lonewolfsim6837]

Thanks

[@DDIY-Guy]

Glad it helped! Enjoy your pool. Thanks for commenting.

[@lonewolfsim6837]

DDIY GUY Danny Jose I will

[@donmitchell2367]

Going counter clockwise on the multiport makes me want to not finish watching this video. Always turn clockwise!

[@DDIY-Guy]

Ya…you are correct! Thanks for pointing that out!

[@AidanSkoyles]

get a mic

[@DDIY-Guy]

Thanks for the tip.

[@andrewpeacock5751]

This totally didn't work for me. I mean, sure, his creaky dulcet whispering over sounds of nature was exactly what I was looking for in a get-to-sleep-fast ASMR. Then this guy starts running what sounds like a leaf blower and there's multiple commercial breaks mid session, 4/10 would not recommend.

[@DDIY-Guy]

Thank you for our feedback. This video stuff is is hard to do :-( Definitely need to do better next time.

[@andrewpeacock5751]

@@DDIY-Guy don't be so hard-on yourself. I appreciate the information, it could just be my phone's crappy speakers or maybe I'm just going deaf. Don't stop believing in yourself.

[@davecarr3603]

Why do you need to repeat over and over how you like to open it early? Seriously

[@DDIY-Guy]

Wow! I said it about 7 times!!! I didn’t realize I said that repeatedly in the beginning...too funny! Thanks for commenting anyway. Have a great rest of the weekend.

[@preciousshortie]

what month exactly? and where are you located, thanks.

[@DDIY-Guy]

I live in ontario canada so I like to open it in April or as soon as the temperature is consistently above 10 degrees during the day.

[@preciousshortie]

@@DDIY-Guy oh ok thanks