Tuesday 19 June 2018

Keeping your pool healthy this winter




Winter is the perfect time to perform regular pool maintenance, weather by yourself or with the help of a professional. A little goes a long way when it comes to showing your pool some love. From getting rid of algae to making sure barriers are in proper working order, less effort and money are involved in keeping your pool healthy during the colder months. Your life will become that much easier when it’s time to jump in during summer as well. Below are some steps you can take to minimise the work you need to do when pool season starts and the whole family is ready to jump in.

Regularly Clean Your Pool

This is a no brainer, of course. Though, winter is the perfect time for algae to grow should you neglect your pool. It’s had plenty of time to form over the summer and leaving it alone is all it needs to flourish. Begin by skimming your pool and brushing all its surfaces. Then, take your time and vacuum your pool manually to get rid of any debris that have fallen to the bottom. You have now taken an essential step to keeping your pool healthy year-round by minimising the chance of algae growing and keeping your water pristine.

Make Sure Your Pool Water is Clear

Chances are that your pool water will become cloudy following a good clean. Though not exactly unhealthy, it’s definitely not pretty either. To clear this up you will need to run your filters. Depending on the size of your pool 3 – 4 hours per day is enough – much less than during summer. Make sure you clean your pool filters as well. You don’t want fats and oils to accumulate and thicken during winter.

Get Your Chemical Levels Right

Making sure your pH levels are right is an essential part of keeping your water healthy. By keeping your water healthy you will prevent algae, bacteria and waterlines. Start by giving your pool a shock to get it winter ready. Then, make sure that pH levels are between the 7.2 – 7.6 range throughout the season. If your pH levels are too low (acidic) or too high (alkaline) you will need to adjust accordingly. It would be a good idea to call a specialist to help you winterise your pool. 

Keep Your Water as Warm as Possible

Pool blankets keep debris out – that we know. Though, another important function that a pool blanket performs is that it traps heat in the pool water, helping pH levels stabilise. The result is that you will have to use less pool supplies trying to get your chemical levels right. The other benefit is that you will save time and money when you need to reheat your pool during spring to get it ready for summer. Pool blankets are an essential part of pool ownership.

Don’t Forget to Show Your Pool Some TLC

It’s easy to forget about your pool once you have prepared it for winter. Make sure to check on your pool from time to time. After all, you can’t expect that it will take care of itself. Alongside the above-mentioned steps, winter is a great time to check that your pool barriers are in full working order as well. Also check your paving and decking and ensure there are no dirty or loose tiles or areas for algae bacteria to grow.