Open vs. Swimmable

Every year in the spring of the year I get a number of clients that are confused by the term Pool Opening. They think when their pool is opened they can immediately swim in it; however, most times this is not the case. So what is the difference between open and swimmable?

A pool is open when it is filled with water (water half way up or in the middle of the skimmer basket) and when all of the equipment is turned on and functioning properly. Notice this says nothing about water chemistry or clarity. A pool could be open and so green you can almost walk across it.

Swimmable obviously is when a pool is both open and has sufficient water quality to make the prospect of getting wet a palatable one. Good water clarity, good PH, good chemical balance, acceptable temperature.

What it takes to go from open to swimmable is in a large part dependant on how well the pool was closed. I personally recommend closing your pool as late in the season as you can before water starts to freeze. I also recommend opening your pool shortly after ice is off the water. The reason being that algae does not grow in cold water. Chemicals such as a winter algaecide can and should be added in the fall to help stave off the appearance of the ‘green monster’ in the spring. But if water is not circulating chemicals will have a tendency to sink to the bottom reducing their effectiveness. Even when chemicals are doing their job it is really the filtration that keeps you water clean, and in order to filter you have to move water.

Another major thing you can do to open well in the spring is to have a good cover over your pool in the fall and winter. I recommend a mesh safety cover. They allow water from rain and snowmelt to flow into the pool but keep particles as small as 40 microns out of your water* (Sand filters typically filter down to 20 to 30 microns).

The ideal pool may be ready to swim as soon as the heater warms the water while a pool that was neglected and closed early allowing algae to bloom and grow will take several applications of some sort of shock and a great deal of filtration. Some of the worst I have seen have taken a week or more of daily care to bring around.

The moral of the story is to close your pool with clean, cold, chemically balanced water. Add a winter algaecide to ensure nothing will have a chance to grow while the water is not being filtered, and cover your pool so leaves and other debris don’t contaminate the water.

Follow these suggestions and the time & money you spend going from “open” to “swimmable” will be pleasantly small.

Happy swimming,

Dave

*SmartMesh cover by Merlin Industries, Inc.