Ask the Bear » Opening And Closing Your Above Ground Pool
Opening and Closing your Above Ground Pool
ABOVEGROUND POOL OPENING INSTRUCTIONS- Use an electric sump pump (always place a frisbee or similar object under the pump) or siphon the water off of your cover if you have a solid cover.
- Carefully remove any debris off of the cover.
- Disconnect and remove the cable from the ratchet and any cover clips.
- Remove the cover slowly. Try not to get any water or debris that may be on your cover into the pool.
- Remove your pillow by detaching the kite string and deflate your pillow for storage.
- Bring your water level to half-skimmer and remove any leaves or other debris from the pool with a leaf net. Expect your water level to be low in your pool. (This occurs due to ice and water displacement.)
- Check your pump, skimmer, and filter to be sure they are in proper working condition. Be sure that the o-ring in your pump housing is lubricated and not worn out.
- Install your pump on the base with two pump mounting screws and connect your ground wire. Set your filter on the base and connect the union between the pump and filter.
- Connect the pump suction hose to the skimmer and the return hose to the outlet. (If you have a chlorinator, connect your return hose from the filter to the chlorinator then connect the return hose to the outlet.) Make sure the hose clamps are tight.
- Making sure the lid/cover on your pump is tight, remove the winter plug from the return fitting. The eyeball return fitting should be pointing down and the Aqua door or ice plate from the skimmer. Be sure to tighten the screws on the skimmer with a #3 Philips head screwdriver.
- Install the skimmer basket, skimmer weir and the ladder into its flanges. If you have drop-in-steps, place the sand bags (in the protective plastic bags) into the stairs and lower the stairs into the pool then connect the handrail.
- Let the pump/strainer housing fill with water. Turn on your filter system. IMPORTANT: Make sure that all of the electrical connections are grounded first. Test your GFCI.
- If you have a D.E. Filter, add the proper amount of Diatomaceous Earth to the skimmer with the filter system running. (For more information see the operating your D.E. filter handout)
