How to Fill an Above Ground Pool With Water For the First Time

Preparing to fill an above-ground pool with water can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools, supplies and guidance, you can easily fill your pool and get ready to enjoy a refreshing swim! 

Now, it might seem as simple as assembly, plugin the waterhose and turn on the valve. And yes, it might be that simple. 

However it might be a tad more complicated than that. Which brings us to the main question. How do I fill my above ground pool with water for the first time.

In general, filling your above ground pool requires a few steps before you add the water. Ensure your pool is setup correctly, leveled and that the release valve is shut. Then start adding the water to the pool.

Read on for our tips and step-by-step instructions for filling above ground pools with water for the first time.

Lay your pool liner and add water.

The first step when filling your above-ground pool is to lay the pool liner. Make sure that you’ve laid it out on the ground in a place where it won’t be disturbed, and will get plenty of water flow around it. 

Then, grab a garden hose with enough length so that you can reach from the house to fill your pool with water. Once attached, turn on the hose and let it run until your pool is filled to the desired depth. Make sure that you don’t let any air pockets form while filling as they could cause wrinkled areas or damage your liner long-term!

To keep your above-ground pool liner looking its best for years to come, make sure that you’re using fresh, good quality water. After getting a water source, treat it with any sanitizers you plan to use before introducing it into your pool. Doing this will help prevent algae and other biological contaminants from entering the system, and also keep the pH levels of your pool balanced. Once the pool is full, add any chemicals and test the water to ensure safety before letting anyone swim in the pool.

Close the skimmer valve.

Once the pool is full, it’s time to close the skimmer valve. This will prevent the water from draining out of your pool once you turn off the hose. Make sure to close the valve all the way to seal in the water. You may want to place a few small objects, such as pebbles or rocks inside each skimmer wall opening so that you can be sure that your valves are completely closed and working.

Next, double check the valves and walls to ensure that the water is sealed in. After this is finished, turn off the hose and open any air relief valve to prevent pressure from building up from the pump or filter. Then, inspect the bottom of your pool for any cracks or breaches that may have occurred during the filling process and make sure those are adequately patched up. Lastly, wait until after you’ve tested your water before adding chlorine to it.

Connect your filtration system to the pool and plumbing components.

The next step is to connect your filtration system, pump, and other plumbing components to the pool. Start by connecting your skimmer and return lines according to their directions. If you are using a sand filtration system, make sure that the filter valve is in the closed position. Next, connect the pump’s hose to the pool wall’s fitting. Once everything is connected properly, turn on your pump so that water can begin circulating through the filters and into the swimming pool.

After the pump is running, start filling the pool with water from a garden hose. Make sure to monitor the water level as it rises – you don’t want it too low or too high. When the water level reaches the top of the air line outlet, adjust your valve so that all the air is drained out. Finally, when the pool is full, shut off the pump and check all of your connections for any possible leakage. Once everything is secure and checked properly, you’re ready to enjoy your new above-ground pool!

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Fill the pump, filter and chlorinator with water accordingly.

Before filling your pool with water, you’ll need to fill the pump and filter system with water so that it can start circulating. Once you have connected them all as described above, open the valves until water begins to flow from the hose and into the skimmer and return lines. 

Then, fill up your chlorinator with the appropriate amount of liquid or tablet chlorine according to its directions. When this is all done, turn on your pump one last time before beginning to fill up your pool.

Test the pH of the pool water

As your pool is filling with water, pause occasionally to test the pH of the water. This should be done using a dedicated pool pH testing kit or digital tester, which will help you determine if your pool’s water is too acidic or alkaline. Ideally, you want your pool’s pH level to be between 7.2 and 7.8 on the pH scale before you add chemicals like chlorine and algaecide. If your results are off, use pH increasers or decreasers to adjust it accordingly.

Additionally, you’ll want to check the hardness of your pool water. Hardness is a measure how much calcium and magnesium are dissolved in the pool water, which should be between 150-350 ppm (parts per million). Harder pool water can increase your risk for deposit build-up and lead to clogged filters and pipes, so use decreasing chemicals if necessary to bring it down. If using city water, it’s also a good idea contact your local government office or check with the municipality website in advance for any additional information on chemical guidelines or other requirements before filling your pool. 

If you want more information on how prevent your pool from turning green then read this article.