How to Winterise Your Pool with a Step by step guide

Properly preparing your pool for winter is essential to safeguard it against potential damage and ensure a hassle-free reopening when the warmer seasons return. Neglecting winter maintenance can lead to costly repairs and time-consuming adjustments when you’re ready to enjoy your pool again. In this detailed guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of winterizing your pool, highlighting key actions and stressing the importance of regular maintenance. For a comprehensive consultation tailored to your pool’s specific requirements, we warmly invite you to visit our store, where our knowledgeable experts can provide you with expert guidance.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Balance Your Pool Water: One crucial aspect of winterizing your pool is achieving the proper water chemistry balance. Test and adjust the pH, alkalinity, and sanitiser levels to ensure they fall within the recommended range. This step helps prevent issues like scaling, corrosion, and algae growth during the winter months. Feel free to bring a water sample to our pool shop for a complimentary water test and precise recommendations.

2. Remove Pool Cleaner: Take out any pool cleaner you have, whether it’s an automatic, suction, pressure, or robotic cleaner. Cleaning and storing these devices separately during winter will prevent potential damage and extend their lifespan.

3. Remove the Vacuum Plate from the Skimmer Box: Locate the vacuum plate in the skimmer box and remove it. This action ensures that debris does not enter the skimmer and clogs the system throughout the winter period.

4. Clean Your Pool Filter(s): Perform the following cleaning steps based on the type of filter you have:

1. For a Sand Filter: Backwash and rinse the filter to eliminate trapped debris. Enhance filtration efficiency by adding a reliable pool clarifier

See how to BACKWASH correctly in this guide https://dazzlingblue.com.au/how-to-backwash-your-sand-or-glass-filter/

5. Position the Filter Correctly: Once the cleaning is complete, securely place the filter back into its original position. Ensure it is properly installed and ready for operation.

6. Treat and Prevent Phosphates: If you are on the Gold Coast, bringPhosphates serve as a food source for algae, so it’s crucial to eliminate them before winter. Shake an appropriate phosphate remover, such as Starver, and pour it into the skimmer box while the system is running. Please note that the pool water may temporarily turn white as the phosphates are eliminated.

7. Apply Winteriser Algaecide: Mix the Winteriser Algaecide with water in a bucket, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Distribute the mixture evenly around the pool. It is normal for bubbles to appear on the water’s surface during this process. Here is one we recommend

8. Run the System: Allow the pool filtration system to run continuously for 24 hours. Then, adjust it to run for 8 hours per day for one week. This ensures proper circulation and even distribution of chemicals throughout the pool.

9. Backwash or Clean the Cartridge: After one week, perform another backwash for sand filters or clean the cartridge for cartridge filters. This step removes any accumulated debris, maintaining the filter’s optimal performance.

10. Adjust Running Times and Chlorine Production: Reduce the running time of your pool to 4-6 hours per day for the winter season. If you have a salt chlorinator, adjust the chlorine production to a lower setting suitable for winter conditions. Ask one of our staff about your chlorinator and the best setting.

11. Regularly Inspect and Test Pool Water: Throughout the winter, continue inspecting and testing your pool water every two to four weeks. Monitor the chlorine levels and make adjustments if necessary. Additionally, regularly empty the skimmer basket to prevent any accumulation of leaves or debris.

By diligently following this step-by-step guide to winterizing your pool, you ensure its protection and a seamless reopening when spring arrives. Consistent maintenance and monitoring. For any questions please visit our store in Burleigh Heads or we can service your pool and Winterise it for you on the Gold Coast.