Spring hits and every pool owner in New Jersey starts staring at their covered pool, wondering the same thing. When do I open this? Too early and you’re heating freezing water nobody is using. Too late and you’re fighting a green mess that takes forever to clear.
There is no perfect date stamped on the calendar. Weather changes year to year. But there are clear signs that tell you it’s time to get your pool ready.
Hometown Pool Supply sees the same questions every March from people in Monmouth County, NJ, Ocean County, NJ, and Middlesex County, NJ. Here’s what you need to know about timing your pool opening.
Temperature Over Calendar Dates
Are You Getting Ready For The Pool Season?
Water temperature matters more than whatever date is circled on your calendar. Once the pool water consistently hits 60 degrees, algae and bacteria start multiplying. That’s when you need to act, or you can start a little earlier and head off issues.
Air temperature helps as a gauge of when to open your pool, but one warm week in March doesn’t mean much. Look for several consecutive days in the 60s and 70s with overnight lows staying above 50. Central New Jersey usually sees these conditions in late April. Could be earlier some years, or early May for others. A floating thermometer can tell you exactly where your water is.
The true gauge of when to open your pool is when water temperatures start hitting over 50 degrees consistently – then it’s time to consider getting the pool opened and begin treating the water so it’s ready when you want to swim!
The Memorial Day Rush
Plenty of people target Memorial Day weekend for pool opening. Long weekend, warm weather, feels like summer officially started.
Except every good pool service company is completely booked. If you’re doing it yourself, you’re trying to open the pool while hosting barbecues and dealing with guests.
Open in April or early May instead! Opening earlier means you are less rushed, more time to fix problems, and your pool is actually ready when you want to use it. If the weather is still cool, and while the days are still short, you can run the pump fewer hours during the day once the water is all cleared up and ready for swimming.
When You Can’t Wait Any Longer
Sometimes you don’t get to pick the timing. Certain signs mean open it now.
- A green tint showing through the cover means algae is already growing. Every day you wait makes it worse.
- Heavy debris accumulation on the cover; that organic matter decomposing in your water feeds algae growth.
- When there is a two week stretch of warm weather in the forecast. That first warm spell means you will probably want to be swimming then, but if the water isn’t already cleared up with working equipment, you might be looking at your pool from the sidelines instead of swimming.
These signs mean it’s time to open the pool and you really shouldn’t wait any longer.
What You’ll Need Ready
Basic Equipment
Pump the cover to remove standing water before you pull the cover off. Trying to lift a cover holding 200 gallons is miserable.
Brush, vacuum, and skimmer net. Self explanatory.
Hose for refilling to the proper water levels.
Pool Chemicals for New Jersey pools
Opening kit or individual chemicals. Either works.
Shock for killing whatever grew over winter. Algaecide to keep it from returning. pH and alkalinity adjusters because winter throws everything off. Test kit, so you’re not guessing.
Hometown Pool Supply carries full lines of swimming pool chemicals for opening and maintaining safe, sanitary swimming water for anyone in Monmouth County, NJ, Ocean County, NJ, or Middlesex County, NJ. One trip, everything you need.
Opening Process Step by Step
Deal With the Cover
Pump standing water first. Remove the cover slowly so debris doesn’t dump in (though given the weight of water, sometimes that can’t be helped). Clean the cover before storing it because mold grows on dirty covers and wears out materials.
Reinstall Hardware
Ladders, rails, and boards go back on. Pull winterizing plugs from skimmers and returns. Check the pump still appears in good condition and reinstall filter drain plugs.
Check for winter damage while you’re at it. Cracked equipment shows itself now. Note that gaskets can get dry rot and fittings can get loose over the winter.
Start the System
Refill the pool to its normal operating level. Take note again that all plugs are removed. Prime pump, start filter, look for leaks. Let it circulate for 24 hours.
Balance Water Chemistry
Test your water initially. Add shock and algaecide according to package directions. Run filter continuously. Test daily and adjust pH, alkalinity, and chlorine as needed. After about 24 hours or so, the water should also be tested for calcium, phosphates, nitrates and metals. Many of the more advanced equipment used on swimming pools – including salt generators and heaters – can be damaged if all of these elements are not sufficiently balanced, and the beginning of the season is the perfect time to make sure it is done correctly.
Crystal clear water takes anywhere from three days to a week, depending on starting conditions, as well as the working condition of the pool equipment, and amount of time per day it is allowed to run.
Doing It Yourself or Hiring Out
Opening a pool yourself takes maybe four hours spread across several days. It is physical work, but not complicated. Testing the water and knowing the types and amount of chemical intervention can require more experience and specialized knowledge.
A professional swimming pool opening can run between four and six hundred dollars. Most services are a labor-saving service, and the opening crew members are familiar with all kinds of pool equipment and know what start-up problems to anticipate. Common problems can often be handled at the time of the pool opening with a well-stocked truck, knowledgeable company and crew. Note specifically what services are offered at the opening; many companies will add the initial required doses of chemicals of shock and algaecide – often at an additional charge. There are some high-end companies that will stay and clean all debris out of the pool before leaving, however labor charges are not inexpensive, and you’ll be paying for the time of a specialized technician. After a professional pool opening that saves much of the primary labor, your pool will still require attention to oversee the continuous operation of the equipment as it works to clear the water for three days to a week, as well as follow up water testing and the addition of needed chemicals after your water circulates for 24 hours.
Comfortable DIYing it? Get supplies from Hometown Pool Supply before starting. Nothing worse than being halfway done and missing critical chemicals.
Rather pay someone? Book early. Late April and May fill up fast for pool service companies in central New Jersey.
The Cost of Waiting
Procrastination is expensive. Green water from a delayed opening adds a week minimum to your timeline. Sometimes two weeks if the algae really takes hold.
Plus, you’re burning through extra shock, algaecide, and test strips trying to salvage the situation. And using up pool season days when you could be swimming.
Watch weather patterns. Monitor water temperature. Target late April to mid-May or earlier if you’re using a professional. Line up supplies ahead of time.
The New Jersey pool season is too short to waste half of it clearing swamp water because you waited too long. Open early, swim sooner, enjoy your investment.
Your neighbors will still be vacuuming algae while you’re already having pool parties.