Start With Safety and Access
Openings go smoother when the area is clean and the equipment pad is accessible. Clear debris, confirm power to the pad is off, and check that valves can be turned without forcing anything.
If you are removing a cover, keep dirty cover water out of the pool. Pump it off first, then lift and fold away from the waterline.
- Kill power at the breaker before opening the pump basket
- Inspect covers, anchors, and straps for damage before storage
- Walk the deck and coping for winter heave or trip hazards
Prime, Circulate, Then Balance
Get circulation running before you chase chemistry. A clean pump basket, lubricated lid O-ring, and a full strainer housing make priming much easier.
Once water is moving and the filter is stable, test and adjust in a sane order: alkalinity first, then pH, then sanitizer, then stabilizer.
- Alkalinity: set the buffer before fine-tuning pH
- pH: adjust into a swim-safe range before heavy chlorination
- Sanitizer: raise gradually, avoid overcorrecting
When to Call for Help
If the pump will not prime, pressure spikes, or you see air in the returns after basic checks, it is usually faster (and cheaper) to diagnose early than to run the system struggling for days.
Need help
Want a pro to handle water balance, troubleshooting, or seasonal service? Call 603-575-9800 or request a quote .