How to reopen and clean your pool after winter: the complete guide

For those who own a swimming pool, the arrival of spring means just one thing: deep cleaning and, finally, refreshing outdoor swimming. If, however, after months of non-use you fear that you will find your pool in
poor condition and going through the cleaning process scares you, know that it doesn't have to be that way!
By relying on the right cleaning tools, in fact, you can simplify the maintenance of your pool and finally devote yourself to swimming and diving. In this article, let’s find out what are the most important steps to reopen the pool after winter and what products to choose for quick and effective maintenance.
Cleaning the pool after winter: what to know?
Whether it is an in-ground or above-ground pool, the arrival of spring is the perfect time to start cleaning your pool, especially if it has been covered all winter. Rising temperatures, in fact, can lead to natural warming of water and, as a result, the proliferation of moss, mold and germs.
To prevent this from happening, start uncovering the pool as early as April: this will allow you to further speed up cleaning time and have the pool ready for use as soon as temperatures allow.
This rule applies to both in-ground and above-ground pools and the cleaning methods are also the same, with a few minor exceptions:
- In-ground pools will likely take longer, as they are generally wider and deeper solutions than outdoor pools;
- The above-ground pool may require special maintenance of the edges and structures, such as a paint job or application of specific products for proper maintenance, in view of the scorching heat of July and August.
Having made these considerations, it is time to take action with the removal of the cover sheet.
How to remove the sheet from the pool properly
The first step in reopening and cleaning one’s pool is to remove the cover sheet which, if properly applied, will have preserved the water throughout the winter. Removing the sheet is a very important step, and it must be carried out carefully.
Here’s how to remove the sheet from the pool:
- remove any leaves, debris and stagnant water that has settled on top of the sheet. This step is important to prevent these materials from falling into the water when uncovering the pool;
- clean the cover using a soft brush and mild soap and fold it carefully in preparation for next winter;
- allow any stagnant water to drain away. In this case, it will be useful to rely on a submersible pump which will speed up the job, ensuring an excellent result.
Flushing out stagnant water when cleaning the pool with the Lavor submersible pump
The submersible pump is a very useful tool for cleaning your pool, because it can remove stagnant water:
- From the cover sheet, in case it was not pulled properly before winter;
- From empty swimming pools, where rain, snow, condensation or seepage may have led to the formation of water;
- From filled pools, where complete emptying may be required for complete water replacement.
In all these cases, before moving on to deep cleaning of the pool bottom, it is important to use the submersible pump, removing all the water quickly and without too much effort.
An excellent tool for draining stagnant water during pool cleaning is the Lavor submersible pump, EDS-P 10500:
- Submerged in water, this pump makes it possible to empty not only the pool, but any kind of flooded space, such as crawl spaces, ponds, garages or the like;
- The float allows automatic operation, thus simplifying its use;
- Its handle and light weight make this pump very easy to handle, for light and convenient carrying and positioning.
Using the Lavor pump, you can remove stagnant water in just one click, enjoying your spring garden, while the water drains automatically, clearing your pool.
What products to use to keep your pool clean all summer long
With the covers and stagnant water removed, it is time to take care of pool maintenance.
Even in summer, in fact, the pool and water inside must be preserved, preventing the proliferation of algae and mosses. To do this, it is recommended to use some specific pool cleaning products:
- Chlorine, which keeps the water clear and disinfects it from germs, bacteria, microorganisms and algae. The use of chlorine, or the alternative explained below, is an almost obligatory step for anyone with a swimming pool. If you decide not to use it, in fact, a risk of contamination is generated for the whole family as the water goes to contain a high bacterial load;
- Salt, the most viable alternative to chlorine. For those who want a more environmentally friendly approach and do not want to use chlorine in their pool, salt is the best solution. In this case, the simple insertion of the traditional table salt into the chlorination system will activate electrolysis. This is a good alternative to consider to bathe in more beneficial and natural water;
- PH regulator to help maintain the value between 7.2 and 7.6;
- Anti-algae to be used in small doses in case you decide to carry out preventive treatment.
By following these steps, you will preserve the pool water throughout the season, providing you and your family with a safe and pleasant environment in which to have fun and cool off.
How to clean the bottom of your pool quickly and effortlessly
This is it! Your pool is almost ready but, before you can fully use it, you need to perform one last and important step: cleaning the bottom of your pool. Here, in fact, dirt, slush, coarse debris and dust may have been deposited which, after months of being unused, may have originated real islands of dirt.
In the past, this job required draining all the water, using a bucket, mop and lots of effort. Today, however, cleaning the bottom of your pool is a quick and easy task, and one that can be done whenever you wish, even if your pool is full. You can do this by relying on a home cleaning solution such as Swimmy, the vacuum cleaner designed to simplify and speed up the maintenance of any type of pool, either in-ground or above-ground.
Using Swimmy is so easy! You only need to:
- fit the sponge filter to protect the motor from splashing and attach the head to the drum, securing it with suitable fastening hooks;
- choose the brush or nozzle best suited to your needs;
- turn Swimmy on in automatic mode and use it like any vacuum cleaner.
The emptying system will operate automatically: whenever the water reaches the maximum level, the emptying mechanism will be activated and the filtered water will be put back into the pool, cleaned of all impurities.
But this is not the only use of Swimmy! Thanks to its 3-in-1 structure you can take advantage of this product all year round:
- cleaning the bottom of your pool;
- vacuuming up coarse debris and dust from floors, fabrics and carpeting;
- removing all kinds of liquids, even very dense and sticky ones.
Once you’ve finished cleaning the bottom of your pool, it’s finally time to cool off with a nice swim... and when you need to clean the bottom or water again during the summer, you can do it effortlessly and stress-free with the Lavor products, even between one dive and another!