Seasonal & DIY

Spring Pool Opening Checklist

Houston pools rarely fully "close" for winter, but a spring reset still matters after a slower, lower-use stretch, and skipping steps tends to show up as an algae bloom a few weeks later. Riverstone and First Colony both require architectural control committee approval for pool and backyard plans, including review of fencing and setbacks relative to the deed restrictions, which is handled during the design phase.

Pergola-covered garden path with hanging lanterns

Because most Houston-area pools keep running through winter at a reduced level, spring opening is less about reviving a dormant pool and more about resetting chemistry and equipment for the coming high-use season.

Remove and clean any winter cover
Clean off accumulated debris before removing a cover so it does not all dump into the pool at once, and inspect the cover itself for damage before storing it.
Clean baskets, skimmers, and the filter
A filter that ran through a slower winter season often has more accumulated debris than owners expect; clean or backwash it before the first full-chemistry test, not after.
Test and rebalance all four core numbers
Test alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness, and stabilizer, not just chlorine, since all four tend to drift during lower-circulation winter months.
Inspect equipment before the first high-use weekend
Check the pump for unusual noise, the heater for proper ignition/function, and look for any visible leaks around equipment that may have gone unnoticed during slower winter use.
Shock the pool before heavy swimming begins
A shock treatment ahead of the first big weekend of the season clears any low-level algae or bather-load buildup before it becomes a visible problem.