In Fethiye, the swimming season usually starts in April or May. Getting a pool that has been closed all winter ready for summer means dealing with the equipment, the water and the chemical balance in the right order. Getting the order wrong (for example, adding chemicals first) wastes time and product. The sequence below is a general roadmap you can follow when opening the pool.
1. Prepare the cover and the surroundings
If there is a winter cover, pump or drain off the water that has collected on it before removing it, so that it does not run into the pool. Clean the cover, dry it and store it. Sweep up leaves and dirt around the pool, because otherwise they end up in the water during cleaning.
2. Set the water level
The water level should usually be at the middle of the skimmer opening. Over winter it may have risen with rain or fallen through evaporation. Running the pump before correcting the level can damage it.
3. Check the equipment
Before circulating the water, check the equipment by eye and by ear:
- Does the pump sound normal? Are there leaks at the connections?
- Is the filter's pressure gauge normal? In sand filters, the sand forms channels over time and becomes less effective; how long it lasts depends on the product and use.
- Are the pool lights, valves and baskets working?
- If there is a heating system, has its start-up procedure been followed?
A fault found at this stage can be fixed before the season starts. Dealing with a breakdown in the middle of the season is far more trouble.
4. Initial clean and brush
Vacuum the dirt from the floor and walls, and brush the walls and steps. Empty the skimmer and pump pre-filter baskets. This step stops the chemicals from being used up by an unnecessary load of dirt.
5. Build the chemical balance in order
Once the water is circulating, test it and usually work in this order: total alkalinity, pH, disinfectant (chlorine). Alkalinity keeps the pH stable. Adding chlorine before these values are in place is often inefficient. Follow the doses on the product labels; never mix chlorine and acid together.
6. Circulation and the first days
Running the pump continuously for the first 24–48 hours helps the water circulate fully. During this time, test the values again and correct them if needed. Once the water is clear, you can move on to a regular maintenance programme.
Common problems
- Green or cloudy water: Find the cause by testing. For details, see the guide on a pool turning green.
- The water level drops quickly: If it drops faster than evaporation alone would explain, there may be a leak. A specialist should check it.
- Limescale marks on the walls: This is related to water hardness and pH balance.
Frequently asked questions
Does the pool need to run in winter too? How a pool is left over winter depends on how you use it and where you are. Even a closed pool should be checked periodically. Leaving the water completely unattended makes opening the pool much harder.
Do I have to drain and refill the water when opening? Usually not. If the water is clean and its chemical values can be corrected, there is no need to change it. If the water is very dirty, the stabiliser level is too high or the chemical balance cannot be achieved, a partial or full change comes into question.
How many days does opening take? It depends on the condition of the pool, the equipment and how fast the water clears. Once the values are in place, allow a few days of circulation for the water to clear.
Book early
Pool opening work gets busy in March and April. To avoid starting the season late, it is a good idea to plan the checks for late February or early March. For opening and a regular maintenance programme, see the pool maintenance page.
This guide is for general information. Every home is different; for your own home, ask a company that has seen the work on site for a written quotation.