Winter, Water and What to do?
Winter Pool Care: How to Keep Your Pool Clean During the Colder Months
As the temperature drops and swimming sessions become less frequent, it’s easy to forget about your pool. But neglecting it over winter can lead to cloudy water, algae outbreaks, and expensive fixes come spring. The good news? A few simple steps will keep your pool healthy and clean while it's not in use, a process known as winterising.
Here’s how to winterise your pool the right way.
1. Give Your Pool a Thorough Clean
Start by brushing the pool walls and floor to remove any build-up, then vacuum the pool to pick up debris. A clean surface helps prevent algae growth and makes chemical balancing more effective.
2. Clean the Filter
A dirty filter won't do your pool any favours. Backwash and clean it thoroughly using a degreasing product to remove sunscreen, oils, and other contaminants. Check the filter media and replace it if necessary. Don’t forget to clear out the skimmer basket and lint pot too.
3. Test and Balance the Water
Testing your pool water is essential. You can do it yourself or take a sample to your local pool shop. If you're unsure about adjusting the levels, it's best to call a SPASA-accredited technician.
pH levels should sit between 7.2, 7.6 for concrete pools, and 7.0, 7.2 for fibreglass.
To raise pH: Add sodium carbonate (soda ash).
To lower pH: Add diluted pool acid (muriatic acid), no more than 500mL at a time, mixed in a full bucket of water.
Total Alkalinity should be between 80, 120 ppm.
To raise: Add sodium bicarbonate.
To lower: This is usually adjusted during pH correction.
4. Shock Dose the Pool
Remove the pool cover and give your pool a chlorine boost. Mix 500g of granular chlorine or 650mL of liquid chlorine with a bucket of water, then add it to the pool. Leave the cover off until chlorine levels return to normal.
5. Add Long-Life Algaecide
Prevent algae growth by mixing 750mL to 1L of long-life algaecide in a bucket of water and pouring it into the pool.
6. Adjust the Filter Timer
You can reduce the filter’s run time to 2, 3 hours per day during winter, helping save energy while still circulating the water adequately.
7. Stay on Top of Maintenance
Re-check chlorine levels and replace the cover.
Check chlorine and skimmer baskets every two weeks.
Occasionally monitor the water level and filter pressure gauge.
Prefer to Leave It to the Pros?
If winterising sounds like a hassle, or you simply don’t have the time, a SPASA-certified pool technician can handle it for you. They’ll ensure your pool is protected through winter and can also provide a spring check-up so you’re ready to dive in when the weather warms up.
A little winter care goes a long way in keeping your pool sparkling, safe, and swim-ready when summer returns!
