Don’t let your first dip in spring be an unpleasant one. Avoid a murky pool with these essential tips to avoid a swamp in the following months:
- Regularly clean your pool – Yes, even if you’re not using it! Over time, organic matter such as leaves and twigs will decompose in your pool, so remove debris from the water’s surface and empty the skimmer basket regularly.
- Keep the chemistry alive – Monitor and balance your pool’s water chemistry with tests and adjust the water’s pH, alkalinity and sanitiser level accordingly to prevent algae growth and keep the water clear and balanced.
- Run the filter and pump – It’s a common myth that you don’t need to run the pool pump as much in winter, which is false! Although your pool won’t be getting used as much in winter, the water still needs to circulate to remain at a healthy, balanced level. Tip: To save energy, turn the settings down but ensure the entire body of water gets circulated through the filter at least once daily for 4-6 hrs.
- Adjust the water & chlorine levels – Your pool still needs love and attention during the colder months, so test your water regularly and monitor the level of water in your pool. Heavy rainfall can dilute the chemicals, so top up when needed and use a slow-release or floating chlorinator to keep up a steady supply.
- Kill algae quickly – Keep an eye out for any signs of algae growth during winter. Insufficient water circulation can lead to black spot algae or green/cloudy water. If you spot it, use algaecides or increase the sanitiser levels.
- Cover up! – Use a pool cover to reduce the amount of cleaning time spent over winter, which will also help to keep heat in and keep debris out.
