Need a Guide to Pool Maintenance in Winter? In Australia, we have less harsh winter months than other parts of the world. However, the chances are that you won’t be using your swimming pool that much during the cooler months.
Some maintenance techniques will save you money and time, keep your pool ready for the next swimming season and to make sure your swimming pool is prepared to run again once spring kicks in.
Need help maintaining your winter pool? 1 Pool Care provides expert winter pool maintenance when you call us at 0456 75 75 75!
Start By Cleaning Your Swimming Pool Surfaces
The first step to preparing your pool for winter mode is cleaning the surfaces of your pool. Grab a skimmer and sweep up any visible organic and inorganic waste.
Although your skimmer baskets are great for keeping the debris off the surface of the pool,, they’re not absolute. The same is true for your filtration system. Your pool’s filter and the skimmer basket for your pool helps remove organic and inorganic material but can quickly fail when left alone.
Incorporating times for skimming your pool surfaces into your weekly maintenance schedule will reduce organic material and ensure your filtration system works efficiently.
Scrub and Vacuum Surfaces
Other organic material exists in other places besides the surface of your pool water. To prevent algae growth, you should regularly use pool accessories to scrub every surface. Use a pool broom and a vacuum to start cleaning the surfaces of your pool.
This helpful guide on How to Clean a Pool Without Emptying It could also give you further information on pool cleaning.
Balance Your Pool Water
Another pool maintenance in winter strategy is maintaining your pool’s pH level. Your pool’s pH levels should be around 7.2 to 7.6 for proper pool maintenance in cold weather. There are a few tricks to keep your pool at this optimal level.
Check Your pH Levels
Start by checking your water level acidity. Take a water sample elbow deep, and if it’s below the proper level, you can apply the right pool chemistry treatments to correct this issue, balance the pool water, and maintain your chlorine levels.
Your pool will need to be monitored carefully, especially during off-peak periods. Additionally, you’ll need to use the proper pool maintenance techniques over winter to keep your pool free from potentially damaging pool equipment.
Pool Chemicals to Use
Some pool chemicals for killing bacteria and other issues might include:
● Salt chlorinator: saltwater pools use this to adjust their chlorine.
● Shock treatment: raises chlorine and lowers the total chlorine levels.
● Long-lasting algicides: even when your chlorine is much lower than in the warmer months, this treatment can still destroy algae and other harmful substances.
Additional Resources
What Pool Chemicals Do I Need, & How Much?
Getting Rid of Oil Deposits
One issue pool owners might run into is grease or oil deposits in their pool. Substances like tanning lotion and baby oil are harder to get rid of than algae or bacteria. Luckily, there are some steps you can take:
- Turn your pool pump off to prevent your filter sucking up the oil.
- Use a pad to absorb the oil or grease deposits. The pad might start sinking when saturated.
- Remove the saturated pad or cloth and use another until most of the oil is gone.
- Wrap another absorbent material around a pool brush or skimmer to remove any remaining oil.
- Use a degreaser to clean your filter and keep your pool’s water level clean.
- Resume your regular filter running times, but make sure everything runs smoothly. Once it seems the appropriate treatment worked, you can have your automatic controller continue running your filter’s system.
Using a Pool Cover
A pool or leaf cover are handy when you’re not using your pool due to the freezing temperatures. A leaf cover will keep excess leaves and other debris out of your pool.
However, pool covers have drawbacks and aren’t the best at keeping your pool clean and should be removed and cleaned before stowing it away for winter. If you plan to continue using your swimming during winter, you might choose a pool blanket over a leaf cover, to help retain the heat in conjunction with a pool heater.
Using a Pool Blanket
Pool blankets have many advantages over covers and provide the following functions:
● They help retain heat and the ideal choice for summer.
● Pool blankets stop evaporation, not a worry in winter
● They help minimise water top up.
● They help to maintain your pool’s chemical level
Solar Pool Heating System
Using a solar heater is another great way to combat freezing water and continue swimming before spring rolls in. Although you’ll still lose heat at night and on those cloudy days, a solar pool heater can be an excellent choice for sucking up the sun’s rays.
Even if you don’t plan on swimming, a solar heater can help ensure your pool’s free of excess water from rain, harmful bacteria, algae, and more.
How to Maintain Your Pump
Your pool’s pump helps you maintain a healthy pool, regardless of the season. However, to ensure it’s appropriately doing its job, you’ll need to implement crucial maintenance strategies:
- Make sure your motor is dry to prevent moisture leaks which can spell costly repairs.
- Replace noisy bearings to avoid your motor from overheating and ‘burning out’
- Take time to clean both the pump and the pump’s basket properly. While you’ll want to avoid getting the motor wet, use a dampened cloth to wipe down the motor and other surfaces of the pump.
- For best results, have an annual check-up from a licensed professional.
Some General Winter Pool Maintenance Don’ts
There are some general winter pool maintenance don’ts to avoid
Don’t Drain Your Pool
Not only is it expensive to refill your pool, but doing so can also lead to corrosion and other issues.
A fiberglass pool cannot be drained without bracing the surfaces.
Don’t Forget to Run Your Pool
It can be tempting not to run your pool when your friends or family aren’t using it. However, you should run your pool at least once a day.
Not Having a Maintenance Schedule
It’s easy to forget to maintain your pool when you don’t have a set schedule. Aim to skim your pool at least once daily and conduct a thorough weekly cleaning.
Not Asking for Help
Not asking for help is another mistake owners make. However, even the most diligent owner can benefit from professional pool services.
Let 1 Pool Care Help
These are just some of the many tips to help maintain your pool’s health during winter. In addition, our team at 1 Pool Care can help with regular pool cleaning and winter maintenance. most people want to know the costs involved in pool cleaning so read out the resource How Much Does Pool Cleaning Cost today to get a good idea of pricing within the Perth pool industry.
We have been providing dynamic services to the Perth community for over 34 years and are eager to assist. Whether you’re dealing with a slow pool pump, you need us to check for leaks, or you want to keep your pool healthy during winter, we’re eager to assist.
Call Us Today
Do you want to reclaim your pool’s health or prepare it for winter? Perth, WA, residents can call 1 Pool Care today at 0456 75 75 75!