How to Get Your Above-Ground Pool Ready Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Weekend)

Let’s be honest.

You bought the pool to relax, not to spend your Saturday elbows-deep in leaves, mystery gunk, and that weird film on the liner.

Still, summer’s coming. Your kids (or you—we’re not judging) are already asking when the pool’s going to be open. So here’s the good news: getting your above-ground pool ready doesn’t have to be a huge project. You just need a plan—and maybe some help from people who do this stuff every day.

That’s us.

Step 1: Uncover the Situation (Literally)

Start by removing the pool cover. If it’s anything like the ones we’ve seen, expect a layer of swampy water, maybe a stray twig, and 100% humidity trapped under there since October.

Pro tip: Use a cover pump or siphon to get the water off the top before you start pulling. It’ll save your back and your filter later.

Once it’s off, hose it down, dry it out, and store it somewhere spiders won’t throw a party.

Step 2: Inspect Before You Regret

Check your liner. Look for rips, bubbles, or places where things don’t look quite right. Then give your pump, filter, and hoses a once-over. If something's cracked or sketchy, better to replace it now than mid-July when your pool turns green and your cousin brings four toddlers over.

Need a part? We’ve got those.

Step 3: Fill ’Er Up and Fire It Up

Once it’s clean, fill the pool and get your system running. This is when the magic starts. 

Step 4: Get Your Water Right

Now it’s time to test. You want to check:

• Chlorine

• pH

• Alkalinity

• Stabilizer (cyanuric acid, if you want to sound fancy)

Bring us a sample. We’ll tell you exactly what to do—no guessing, no chemistry degree required.

Oh, and if you need chemicals, we’ve got them. 

Step 5: Accessorize Like a Pro

Think skimmer nets, vacuums, ladders, floaties that don’t deflate in 10 minutes, and maybe a thermometer so you don’t cannonball into an ice bath.

We’ve got all that too. Stop by, grab what you need, and be on your way. No hard sell. Just the good stuff.

Final Thought: Keep It Simple

Owning a pool should be fun—not stressful, not confusing, and definitely not something you avoid until your water turns the color of Mountain Dew.

So if you're stuck, short on time, or just want to make sure you're doing it right, swing by S Kay Pools. We'll point you in the right direction, tell you what not to waste money on, and get you set up for a solid pool season.

Because no one dreams about owning a “kinda okay” pool.