Getting Your Backyard Pool Ready for Summer

The first real heatwave always seems to arrive faster than expected, and an above-ground pool that's been folded in storage since last year needs a bit of attention before anyone jumps in.

Inspect the liner and frame before filling. Small punctures are far easier to patch on an empty pool than a full one, and a frame that's slightly bent from storage is worth straightening now rather than after it's under water pressure.

Run the filter pump for a full cycle before the pool is in regular use, and check that the water is clear and the filter cartridge isn't still packed with dust from being in storage. A pump that's been sitting unused for months is worth testing on its own before anyone's relying on it.

And if inflatables — kayaks, rafts, pool floats — are part of the plan, check the seams and valves while they're still dry. A slow leak is a five-minute fix with a patch kit and a much bigger annoyance mid-afternoon with a raft full of kids.