The sun came out. The birds sang. I felt powerful. So I pulled back the cover like a magician revealing the finale.
And there it was. A pool-shaped vat of mossy regret.
I thought I was early. I was not.
The water was greenish-brown. Not quite algae. Not quite soup. I whispered, “We’re going to fix you,” but the pool said nothing. It just sat there, still and judgmental.
I pulled out the net. It fought me. It clung to the leaves like secrets. I brushed the sides, but the brush squeaked like it didn’t want to be there.
I kept going.
I ran the pump for two days. I didn’t sleep.
Every time I passed the back window, I checked the water. It was still green. Sometimes cloudier. Once, it bubbled like it had thoughts of its own.
I added shock. Then more shock. I tested the pH and it laughed at me. I added algaecide like a Hail Mary. The foam was immediate. I did not panic. But I considered it.
By day four, the pool forgave me
The water turned blue-ish. Not perfect. But cleaner. It started to look like it wanted to be swum in. I cried a little. I brushed it again, for good measure. The pump was still running. Like a hero.
This Quora thread on when to open a pool says it best: the earlier, the better. Even if it’s painful.
Find more opening advice, checklists, and first-time stories in our pool opening blog category. You’ll feel better just scrolling.
