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.
