How to Keep Your Pool in Tiptop Condition All Winter
Don't let your swimming pool go green during the cooler months. Take care of it so that it's ready to jump into on that first warm day
Kerryn Ramsey
17 May 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator, reporting for print and digital articles on architecture, design, travel and business.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator,... More
It’s all too easy to ignore your swimming pool over winter only to be faced with an unhealthy mess at the beginning of summer. Not only will the start of the swim season be delayed but an unnecessary amount of time and money will then have to be spent in restoring your pool to its sparkling best.
It only takes a little regular maintenance to help your pool stay clean all winter long – try these quick tips to save you time, money and protect your your backyard oasis.
It only takes a little regular maintenance to help your pool stay clean all winter long – try these quick tips to save you time, money and protect your your backyard oasis.
1. Get your water chemistry right
At the end of the swimming season, it’s a good idea to have your water professionally analysed. Once the pH balance is correct, you should home test once every fortnight and adjust any chemicals accordingly. This will stop any algae or mould growth and keep the water a shimmering blue over the winter months.
At the end of the swimming season, it’s a good idea to have your water professionally analysed. Once the pH balance is correct, you should home test once every fortnight and adjust any chemicals accordingly. This will stop any algae or mould growth and keep the water a shimmering blue over the winter months.
2. Clean the skimmer box
Winter can mean more leaves and debris in your pool and that can clog the system. An over-full skimmer box makes the filter motor work harder so clean the skimmer, and any other filters, every two weeks. Winter rain will also require you to drain the pool to its optimum water level – halfway up the skimmer box.
Winter can mean more leaves and debris in your pool and that can clog the system. An over-full skimmer box makes the filter motor work harder so clean the skimmer, and any other filters, every two weeks. Winter rain will also require you to drain the pool to its optimum water level – halfway up the skimmer box.
3. Backwash the system
Even though the filter doesn’t need to work as hard or as long in winter, it still needs a regular backwash. Once every two or three weeks will be sufficient. Also, take the time to check pipes, tubes and seals for any leakages or wear. Problems left unattended all winter can be pricey to fix later.
Even though the filter doesn’t need to work as hard or as long in winter, it still needs a regular backwash. Once every two or three weeks will be sufficient. Also, take the time to check pipes, tubes and seals for any leakages or wear. Problems left unattended all winter can be pricey to fix later.
4. Check your pool lighting
Pool lighting is one of those things you don’t think about until it’s not working. Winter is a great time to check that all the underwater lights work and the switches are in good order.
Pool lighting is one of those things you don’t think about until it’s not working. Winter is a great time to check that all the underwater lights work and the switches are in good order.
5. Oil any timber decking
Clean the timber with a little Napisan in warm water and scrub with a stiff-bristle brush. Rinse down the timber and allow to dry out completely. Use a decking brush to apply the oil in long even strokes one board at a time. A fresh oiling will repel any water and protect the timber from sunlight.
Clean the timber with a little Napisan in warm water and scrub with a stiff-bristle brush. Rinse down the timber and allow to dry out completely. Use a decking brush to apply the oil in long even strokes one board at a time. A fresh oiling will repel any water and protect the timber from sunlight.
6. Clean the waterline tiles
After a summer of fun, the waterline tiles can start looking a little grey and greasy. Use a clean sponge and a little baking powder or vinegar to make the tiles look like new again. A toothbrush will help remove any tougher stains.
After a summer of fun, the waterline tiles can start looking a little grey and greasy. Use a clean sponge and a little baking powder or vinegar to make the tiles look like new again. A toothbrush will help remove any tougher stains.
7. Clean the glass
Many pools are surrounded by a glass fence for safety and minimal visual impact. Avoid commercial cleaning products as they invariably leave a residue. The best way to clean the glass is to use warm water, liquid soap and a sponge. Finish with a quick hose-down.
Many pools are surrounded by a glass fence for safety and minimal visual impact. Avoid commercial cleaning products as they invariably leave a residue. The best way to clean the glass is to use warm water, liquid soap and a sponge. Finish with a quick hose-down.
8. Trim the plants
Winter is a time of falling leaves, high wind and drenching rain. By trimming the plants that surround your pool, you will minimise the detritus that will end up in the water. A good trim at the start of the season will last for the entire winter and promote new growth in spring.
Winter is a time of falling leaves, high wind and drenching rain. By trimming the plants that surround your pool, you will minimise the detritus that will end up in the water. A good trim at the start of the season will last for the entire winter and promote new growth in spring.
9. Pack away the umbrella and clean the chairs
There’s no point in leaving an unused umbrella to face the elements for an entire winter – packing it away will extend its life. All-weather outdoor furniture, whether plastic or metal, will benefit from a good cleaning with warm water and liquid soap. Cleaning and oiling timber furniture will help protect it from the weather for another season.
There’s no point in leaving an unused umbrella to face the elements for an entire winter – packing it away will extend its life. All-weather outdoor furniture, whether plastic or metal, will benefit from a good cleaning with warm water and liquid soap. Cleaning and oiling timber furniture will help protect it from the weather for another season.
10. Add a pool cover
A winter pool cover is made of an extremely fine mesh in order to keep leaves and debris out of the water. They are a little larger than the pool and need to be professionally fitted. if you don’t have a cover, remember to regularly empty your robotic pool cleaner.
TELL US
How do you keep your pool clean during winter? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
10 Reasons Aussies Rule at Pools
Indoor Pools to Love All Year Round
Stickybeak of the Week: A Mornington Peninsula Pool House
A winter pool cover is made of an extremely fine mesh in order to keep leaves and debris out of the water. They are a little larger than the pool and need to be professionally fitted. if you don’t have a cover, remember to regularly empty your robotic pool cleaner.
TELL US
How do you keep your pool clean during winter? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
10 Reasons Aussies Rule at Pools
Indoor Pools to Love All Year Round
Stickybeak of the Week: A Mornington Peninsula Pool House
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Thanks for a great article. I always think that the winter months are the best time to undertake pool renovations