Opening (spring)
- Remove the cover and clear the coarse dirt.
- Top up the water level.
- Start the pump and filter for several hours.
- Test and adjust alkalinity → pH → chlorine.
- Do an initial shock chlorination and brush.
- Filter 24–48 h until the water is crystal clear.
Closing / winterizing (autumn)
The goal is for the pool to get through winter without degrading.
- Balance the water well before closing.
- Shock it, then lower the chlorine.
- Add a long-lasting winterizer/algaecide.
- Lower the level according to your cover type and protect skimmers and pipes from frost.
- If you don't fully winterize, keep short filtration runs and test now and then.
Tip
A good close saves a lot of work (and product) at opening.