You kept it covered. You thought you were being responsible. You gently pulled the winter cover over it like a blanket. But now it’s spring, and your pool is giving you the cold shoulder. Green water. Smells weird. Foam where foam should never be.
Let’s unpack that.
The cover didn’t protect as much as you thought
Pool covers aren’t magical shields. They keep out leaves, but they don’t stop bacteria, algae spores, or cloudy water from developing underneath. Especially if the cover was sagging or waterlogged.
When that spring sun starts warming things up, your covered pool becomes the perfect greenhouse for gross things to grow in silence. Think of it like a kombucha jar you forgot in the garage.
You didn’t check the water level, did you?
If your water level dropped significantly over winter, there’s a chance your liner got stressed or your pump lost prime before you even started. Don’t just start the system without checking. That’s like revving a car with no oil in it.
Take five minutes to eyeball the water line. Make sure it’s halfway up the skimmer. Fill it if needed before starting anything.
Opening isn’t one step, it’s a process
People think pool opening is a single event. Like “We opened the pool this weekend.” No, you started opening the pool this weekend. It’s more like a week-long trust-building exercise.
Day 1: uncover, remove debris, inspect equipment.
Day 2: test water, start pump, balance chemistry.
Day 3: adjust and clarify.
Day 4 and beyond: filter like your life depends on it.
You need patience. And empathy. Your pool has been through a lot.
What your pool actually needs from you right now
- A clean start. Remove every leaf, twig, and mysterious sludge blob
- Circulation. Run the pump like you’re making up for lost time
- Measured chemistry. No wild guessing with shock and algaecide
- A filter check. And maybe a filter replacement, let’s be honest
If you treat your pool like a moody teenager, it might just come around. Be consistent. Show up for it every day for the first week. Don’t expect forgiveness overnight. But with a little effort and some well-timed brushing, the trust can return.
And you’ll both be better for it.
Need help testing your pool water after uncovering it? Check out our guide to fast water testing after pool opening.
Want to check if your cover type is right for your climate? The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals has great recommendations.
