Why Did My Pool Open Up Dirty?
What to Expect and How to Get It Back in Shape
Opening your pool in the spring should be an exciting moment—but it can quickly turn frustrating when the water is murky, green, or full of debris. Many pool owners are surprised to find that their pool isn’t swim-ready after winter, even if it was properly closed. So, why does this happen?
The most common reason for a dirty pool at opening is an improperly secured or damaged cover. If the cover has small tears, wasn’t sealed tightly, or collected standing water and debris, it’s likely that contaminants made their way into the pool over the off-season. Additionally, if winterizing chemicals weren’t properly balanced, algae and bacteria can grow in the still, dark water—especially if the weather warms up early.
What to Expect When Your Pool Opens Dirty
At Dingman Pools, we perform professional pool openings that include removing the cover, reinstalling equipment, treating the water with start-up chemicals, and preparing your pool for the season. However, please be advised that we do not perform a power vacuum the same day the pool is opened.
Only start-up chemicals—such as shock and algaecide—are added at the time of opening. These begin to sanitize the water and help kill off bacteria and algae. It’s important to allow these chemicals to percolate for 1–2 days. This gives the shock time to circulate, dissolve, and begin working while also allowing suspended debris to settle at the bottom of the pool.
Why Your Pool Might Still Look Dirty
Dirtier pools can “eat through” chlorine more quickly, especially if algae, grime, and organic material are present. In very dirty or green pools, shock may be depleted in as little as 12–24 hours—meaning multiple applications may be necessary. You may not see immediate results, but that doesn’t mean the chemicals aren’t working. They’re hard at work fighting off contaminants and preparing your pool for a deep clean.
When Can You Power Vacuum?
If your pool is green or so cloudy that you cannot see the bottom once the cover is removed, it is not ready for a power vacuum. We recommend adding 1 gallon of liquid shock or 1–2 lbs of granular shock (depending on pool size) every 48 hours until the water is clear enough to see the bottom.
Once visibility improves and the debris has fully settled, contact our office to schedule a power vacuum.
Power vac pricing is as follows:
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- $140 for the first hour
- $115 for each additional hour
- + the cost of chemicals to balance the water
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During your scheduled power vac, our technician will remove settled debris from the bottom of the pool and top off any chemicals needed to ensure proper water balance.
Need help getting your pool clear?
Visit our Power Vacuum Services Page to learn more or call us to schedule your service once your pool is ready. With the right steps and a little patience, your pool will be swim-ready in no time!