Quick tips: Top 10 tips for winter pool prep
It’s that time of year again, when the days grow shorter and the temperature starts to dip. For some homeowners, now is the time to think about winterising your pool, before the chill sets in. A few simple steps now will ensure your pool water stays healthy over the cooler months, minimising the work needed to get everything in order come springtime.
While some of these steps may seem obvious, it’s good to keep a checklist on hand to make sure everything has been covered.
Clean the pool — thoroughly brush or scrub the walls and floor and vacuum the entire pool.
Clean the filter — thoroughly backwash and clean the filter to get rid of any build-up of contaminants. A good clean and degreaser product should do the job. Check and change the filter media while you’re at it and make sure the skimmer basket and lint pot are debris-free.
Test the water and rebalance the chemicals — either test it yourself or take a sample to your local pool shop for testing. If you’re unsure about balancing the water chemistry, call a SPASA-accredited technician.
The pH should between 7.2 and 7.6 for concrete pools and between 7.0 and 7.2 for fibreglass. To increase pH levels, add sodium carbonate (soda ash). To decrease, add pool acid (muriatic acid, a diluted form of hydrochloric acid). Be sure to mix it in a full bucket of water first and do not add more than 500 mL at a time.
Total alkalinity should be 80–120 ppm. To increase total alkalinity, add sodium bicarbonate. Lowering total alkalinity will be addressed when pH levels are rebalanced.
Shock dose the pool remove the cover and mix granular or liquid chlorine (in quantities as directed by your local SPASA member) with a bucket of water and add it to the pool. Leave the cover off till chlorine levels return to normal.
Add algaecide — mix the recommended quantity of long-life algaecide designed for winter with a bucket of water and add it to the pool.
Check and adjust timers where necessary to cater for decreased demand.
Recheck chlorine levels and put the cover back on.
Check the chlorine level every two weeks and keep an eye on the skimmer basket.
Occasionally check the water level and the filter pressure gauge.
These simple steps should keep your pool healthy over winter. If you’re uncertain any of these steps, contact your local pool store or a SPASA-certified pool technician, who can also give your pool a ‘health check’ in spring, ensuring everything is ready to go when you are.