Even experienced pool owners make spring startup mistakes that cost them time, money, and a lot of frustration. The good news? Every single one is completely avoidable with just a little know-how. Here are the five most common mistakes we see every year at Mid State Pools — and how to steer clear of all of them.
Mistake #1: Opening Too Early When Water Is Still Too Cold
Patience pays off when it comes to opening your pool. If your water temperature is still below 60°F, most algae-fighting chemicals — especially algaecide — won’t work efficiently. Chlorine also becomes less stable at lower temperatures. Wait until your water temperature stabilizes above 60°F before adding your startup chemicals. Opening too early just wastes money on products that can’t do their job.
Mistake #2: Skipping the Equipment Inspection
It’s tempting to just fire everything up and hope for the best after a long winter — but this approach often leads to costly repairs. Before running your system, carefully inspect your pump, filter, heater, and all plumbing connections. Look for cracks, leaks, worn seals, and any freeze damage. Catching a small crack now takes an hour to fix. Ignoring it and running your pump can turn that into a flooded equipment pad and a very expensive repair call.
Mistake #3: Shocking Before Balancing Water Chemistry
This is one of the most common — and most costly — mistakes pool owners make. Shocking a pool with incorrect pH levels can reduce the effectiveness of your shock by up to 90%. If your pH is off, you’re essentially pouring money down the drain. Always balance your total alkalinity first, then pH, then calcium hardness. Only then should you shock. Stop into Mid State Pools for a free water test and we’ll tell you exactly what to adjust and in what order.
Mistake #4: Running a Dirty Filter from Last Season
Your filter is the heart of your pool’s circulation system. If you closed your pool last fall without cleaning your filter, you’re starting this season at a serious disadvantage. A clogged or dirty filter can’t do its job — it can’t effectively clear your water no matter how many chemicals you add. Always backwash your sand or D.E. filter at the start of the season, or bring your cartridge filter in to rinse and inspect it. It’s a 15-minute task that will make a night-and-day difference all season long.
Mistake #5: Skipping a Preventative Algaecide Treatment
Many pool owners only think about algaecide once they already have an algae problem — and by then, it’s a much bigger fight. Adding a quality preventative algaecide right at startup, after shocking, is one of the smartest investments you can make. It creates a protective barrier that keeps algae from taking hold before the warm weather sets in. Trust us: spending $20 on algaecide in March is a lot better than spending a weekend scrubbing your pool walls in July.
We’re Here to Help You Get It Right
At Mid State Pools, our team is trained to help you avoid every one of these mistakes. Stop in for your free water test, and we’ll give you a personalized chemical plan that tells you exactly what to add, in what order, and how much. Our newly renovated store is also fully stocked with everything you need for a perfect, problem-free pool opening this spring.
