Opening your backyard swimming pool for the season takes more than just filling it up and jumping in. You have to know the importance of opening a pool correctly, for the health of the swimmers and the longevity of the pool. 

If you properly closed your pool for winter, opening your pool should be an easy process. Here's your eleven-step guide to getting ready for lazy summer afternoons in your pool.

With over sixty percent of pools experiencing an algae bloom each year, we’re here to help make sure you do all you can to prevent it. I mean no one wants algae in their pool! Threat of an algae occurrence is relatively high at this time of year and we want you to be prepared, preventing algae as much as possible.

You’ve stopped swimming in your pool and you’ve stopped heating it; but because this is Vancouver, you’re not planning to full-on winterize it. We totally understand that... but you’re not just planning on ignoring it until spring, are you? If you are, we're here to tell you that's a bad idea.

“Hey,” you say defensively, “I keep a puck in the skimmer. It always stays clear.” Sorry. Still not okay.

If you follow good water care practices, your pool should stay algae-free; but, you know, “this ointment should clear up that rash” and “it should stay sunny all afternoon,” so don’t put too much blind faith in “should”. Algae loves all kinds of water conditions and will seize any opportunity to bloom. Keeping algae out of your pool is like playing Whack-A-Mole; you can’t look away for even a second if you want to win.

As we start moving toward the fall and winter season, the temperatures start dropping. You may not be ready to close your pool just yet as there are some warm days still forecasted. Nonetheless, you should start caring for your pool with the mind-set that winter is just around the corner.