How To OPEN An INGROUND POOL | Swim University

Matt takes an entertaining and funny approach to opening your swimming pool. Follow along as he walks you through a simple step-by-step pool opening. Learn how to properly remove a winter safety cover, setting up your pump and filter, and shocking your inground swimming pool.

⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction to Opening An Inground Pool
00:43 - Step 1. Remove Safety Cover
04:55 - Step 2. Remove Winter Plugs and Ice Compensator
07:04 - Step 3. Set Up Filter and Pump
10:47 - Step 4. Test Your Water and Add Pool Start-Up Chemicals
15:24 - Step 5. Brush Pool Deck and Walls
15:44 - Step 6. Shock Pool

Swim University®️ has made swimming pool and hot tub care easy for more than 10 million homeowners. And each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. We know taking care of a swimming pool or spa can be difficult. And it’s hard to find a trusted source of information. We get it! This is the reason we created Swim University®️.

[SwimUniversity]

We hope this helps you open your inground pool this year! If you want more help with pool maintenance, be sure to download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet at

[aircapitalsole]

Been in my home for 6 years and this is my go-to video every spring to not miss any steps when I open my pool. Thank you @swimUniversity

[kramed]

i have to say, I just got a house with a pool and this is the first time I have ever tried to open one...your video was not only very informative, but entertaining as well...thank you so much for making this easier.

[davepostma]

By far the best video Ive watched on opening a pool, do my own every year but still watch the instructional's, adding the humor makes it that much more fun to watch

[pierrekitts]

My go-to video that ensures that I open my pool correctly every year ! Thanks, Swim University!

[Moon-cake-pixie]

I come to this video every year lol to open my pool, I’m a new pool owner and I don’t want to pay hundreds to maintain I do it myself. This video helps so much if you know what items he’s talking about. :) thnx

[WW-cqin]

Thank you! After watching this video last year I opened my pool for the 1st time myself. Just watched this video again for a refresher.

[mikeytappe]

Watch this video every year! Thanks again

[meganconnors]

This is the best pool opening video on the internet! Thanks!

[fredlagunas]

Very informative video and we followed step by step all the instructions and it almost went flawlessly. One BIG step you forgot to mention when actually turning on the pool was ours needed water in the housing before it would start to circulate. Luckily, one of our neighbors was nearby and saw our mistake. Other than that... you guys saved us 330 bucks for a hour of work.

[yakkayakka]

This outta save me a few hundred bucks this year. Will be trying this for sure!

[roller]

Who wants to swim, I would rather dance to the Video!

[smithaminto]

Thank You for the video! We were able to open the pool watching this!

[vanessamancini]

Tries to open my pool myself, it was a no go. So after an hour of tears and trying to think of how to get the money to get it fixed I watched your video and it is up and running. Thank you thank you thank you

[PamLyles-yc]

This is by far one of the best tutorial videos I've seen. I do have a question. I have a sand system, so wouldn't I removed the winterizing plugs and ice compensators after I setup the filter and pump, so water will not pour out? Of course, I would not start it until after said winterizing plugs and ice compensators out.

[MrsMags]

Should it be turned to backwash first before turning it to filter mode?

[onerisbarett]

Man dude! Wish you were in northern VA. I could use a pool smart guy like you out here this instant. Thank you for filming this video. Really helpful!

[IvanSchlachter]

Great video - I watch it every year around this time. Thanks!

[ray.a]

What do u do with the pool antifreeze that u poured in the lines to not freeze?u just let them drain in pool?

[KarenReadsTaillight]

This was very instructive. I'm just curious why you dilute the pool shock? It makes complete sense to me but none of our pool guys has ever done it. Thanks!