To open

[Newdude]

+1. No two seasons are the same. It
sounds like this one is still cool for you guys. Mother Nature reserves the right to change her mind tomorrow, but for now.....

If you are able to run everything, than that changes the equation alot. If the weather dips below freezing, turn the pump on until it warms up and moving water won't freeze in the plumbing. This time of year, at least.

 

[Jennybird]

+1. No two seasons are the same. It
sounds like this one is still cool for you guys. Mother Nature reserves the right to change her mind tomorrow, but for now.....

If you are able to run everything, than that changes the equation alot. If the weather dips below freezing, turn the pump on until it warms up and moving water won't freeze in the plumbing. This time of year, at least.

Even though last month was 70, this is Chicago after all…

 

[magiteck]

I'm in a similar climate (Wisconsin), and I uncovered 2 weekends ago, and opened last weekend.

I typically remove my cover as soon as the ice has melted. Like was mentioned earlier, chlorine will burn off a bit faster uncovered, but with water temperatures still in the 40s that still tends to be minimal and not to matter much.

I open early because it virtually guarantees clear water, it gives me something to do , and I'd much rather look at a nice clean pool than a dirty winter cover.

After opening, I run my pump 24/7 (I have a 2-speed pump, so on low speed) until the danger of freezing has passed.

Having the cover off also helps the water warm up faster. Last year we were swimming on May 16.

 

[Jennybird]

I'm in a similar climate (Wisconsin), and I uncovered 2 weekends ago, and opened last weekend.

I typically remove my cover as soon as the ice has melted. Like was mentioned earlier, chlorine will burn off a bit faster uncovered, but with water temperatures still in the 40s that still tends to be minimal and not to matter much.

I open early because it virtually guarantees clear water, it gives me something to do , and I'd much rather look at a nice clean pool than a dirty winter cover.

After opening, I run my pump 24/7 (I have a 2-speed pump, so on low speed) until the danger of freezing has passed.

Having the cover off also helps the water warm up faster. Last year we were swimming on May 16.

So you don’t have to worry that the freezing temperatures will damage the filter at all if it’s running?

 

[magiteck]

So you don’t have to worry that the freezing temperatures will damage the filter at all if it’s running?

Moving water won't freeze unless the entire body of water would get brought down to below freezing. So basically, if the pool water is 40 degrees and water is moving through the equipment, that water is constantly mixing. After a night at 28 degrees let's say, that will lower the temperature of the pool a bit, but it certainly won't get the entire body of pool water down to 32 degrees. With the water constantly moving/mixing, you need sustained temperatures below freezing to get the water cold enough to freeze.

The big risk is when the water is not moving. At that point, the smaller volume of water in the pipes/hoses, pump, and filter could freeze, which would cause it to expand and could then break the equipment.

Now in January on the other hand when the temperature can stay in the single digits for a month, even keeping the water moving wouldn't be enough, because it's just too cold for too long a period of time.

 

[Jennybird]

Moving water won't freeze unless the entire body of water would get brought down to below freezing. So basically, if the pool water is 40 degrees and water is moving through the equipment, that water is constantly mixing. After a night at 28 degrees let's say, that will lower the temperature of the pool a bit, but it certainly won't get the entire body of pool water down to 32 degrees. With the water constantly moving/mixing, you need sustained temperatures below freezing to get the water cold enough to freeze.

The big risk is when the water is not moving. At that point, the smaller volume of water in the pipes/hoses, pump, and filter could freeze, which would cause it to expand and could then break the equipment.

Now in January on the other hand when the temperature can stay in the single digits for a month, even keeping the water moving wouldn't be enough, because it's just too cold for too long a period of time.

Thanks!
Ps my little mermaid is ready

 

[stygz]

There are people who leave it open all year so it is never too early to open. Now if you are done with the pollen and such then go ahead and open the pool so you can enjoy looking at it and doggy shark can swim!!

Just make sure you can mix the chlorine in good.

Curious on your remarks on pollen. I thing much of it has fallen here in Middle GA. I just started to open yesterday. Clue me in please

 

[Newdude]

Clue me in

Some people wait to open(uncover) because they don't want all the extra scooping when pollen season hits. It's nice not to have slightly cloudy water and tons of debris to vac/robot, but the pollen means the water temperature is likely already too high.

The ones that open too late who were out of FC, get a swamp.

Everyone has 'their time' but too little FC at too warm, makes a swamp.

We advise anyone waiting out the pollen to get under the cover every couple days and treat with bleach if needed.

 

[Jennybird]

Some people wait to open(uncover) because they don't want all the extra scooping when pollen season hits. It's nice not to have slightly cloudy water and tons of debris to vac/robot, but the pollen means the water temperature is likely already too high.

The ones that open too late who were out of FC, get a swamp.

Everyone has 'their time' but too little FC at too warm, makes a swamp.

We advise anyone waiting out the pollen to get under the cover every couple days and treat with bleach if needed.

My water is still 52°, is it below 60 to open? you don’t want to go over 60, is that right?

 

[Newdude]

you don’t want to go over 60, is that right?

Yup. Not without chlorine in there. Below 60, now or in the fall, algae goes mostly dormant.

You want it chlorinated before it gets to 60 and keep in mind that it may rise a couple degrees with one warm day. 57 isn't all that foolproof. Hitting 60 doesn't guarantee algae, it just increases the chances. By 70 it's growing exponentially and is a runaway train.

 

[Wobblerlorri]

I'm in NW Georgia, and my water temp is 40. Warmish days but COLD nights! We're still covered, but we've kept the pool chlorinated all winter, and it's stayed steady at 6 ppm chlorine. Peeked under the cover earlier this week, crystal clear.

This week is supposed to be rainy and coolish (highs in th upper 60s to low 70s, lows mid 50s), so I'll most likely open next weekend if we have the new plumbing done. (Hubby Mike of course has taken MY project and made it HIS project, which is hilarious!)

 

[Jennybird]

I'd recognize my fav shark ANYWHERE !!!!!

Welcome back too, Jenny !!!

If you expose the pool to the sun, then it will burn off FC like it's open. It will be less now than in July, but still. You can uncover and then test/add and brush it around real good, or just make sure there is some FC in there occasionally under the cover until you're ready.

If you open, you'll want to stir it up as best you can before you run your daily test.

I passed my overnight chlorine test!!
I feel like the short lady with the fuzzy hair in poltergeist ‘this pool is CLEAN’
Is it just me or did anybody else find her creepier than the actual poltergeist?