Summer is the best time of the year, particularly if you are fortunate enough to own a backyard swimming pool. Getting your pool ready for the swimming season isn't difficult, but it does take some time and preparation to ensure the pool is safe, clean and ready for fun. This article will take you through the steps of opening your backyard pool for the summer swim season.

Removing the Cover

Your pool has probably been covered for the winter, so removing the cover will be the first step in opening your pool. Before removal, clean the cover of dirt and debris so it doesn't end up in your pool water. If there is water on the surface of the cover, rent a device to vacuum it away. It is also a good idea to clean the area around the pool for the same reason.

Once the debris is removed, a quick shot with the garden hose will be the finishing touch before taking the cover off the pool. Use the manufacturer's instructions for cover removal, which will vary based on the type of covering you have. Once it is removed, give it a thorough scrubbing in your driveway and allow it to dry completely before storing it for the season.

Preparing the Water

Once your cover is removed, check the overall appearance of the water. Is it green or cloudy?  If so, you will need to use the proper chemicals to bring it back to a swimmable state. Take a sample of your water to a professional pool service for testing. While you may have balanced the water properly as a part of your winterization process, things might have changed throughout the season. You will also need to bring water levels up to the proper depth, since they were probably reduced a few inches for the winter.

Preparing the Pool

Give your swimming pool a good once over to see if you notice any cracks or damage to the basin or surrounding decking. Clean the walls and floor of the pool as needed. If you plugged up your pipelines at the beginning of the winter season, you will need to remove the plugs so your plumbing system can begin operating once again.

You will also need to de-winterize your equipment like your pump and filter. The pump will need to be primed before starting it up. The filter should have been cleaned thoroughly before the winter season. If it wasn't, now is the time to do so, and a complete backwashing should be done. Turn on the power and see if all of your equipment starts up as it should. If not, contact a pool technician for help or necessary repairs.

If you removed ladders and handrails for the season, get them out of storage and clean them off before adding them to your pool. Hose down the decking and clean according to manufacturer's directions. Bring out the pool furniture and get ready for a full season of fun in the sun.