How to ‘winterise’ your pool in Queensland

TO ‘winterise’ is to adapt or prepare something for use in cold weather. So with that in mind, do you winterise your pool in Queensland?

Local pool expert Syd Corvin at Swimart Mackay told us in Queensland, it is better to keep our pools maintained over winter rather than ignoring them.

“If you do ignore it, it will most likely go green and or most likely damage the pool pump and chlorinator from low salt, high Ph, low cyanuric or low water from evaporation from a dry Queensland winter.

Syd said you can not close or ignore a swimming pool in a Queensland winter.

“In cold areas where winter includes snow and the pool freezing into a block of ice, the pool does indeed get put to sleep. But in Queensland, because of little or no bather load in winter, the chlorine will be less consumed so its level will climb which causes the pH to climb, which actually reduces dramatically the ability of the high chlorine to work at all so you can end up with a green pool.”

So with that in mind, here is Syd’s expert advice on how to winterise your pool to ensure the health of your pool while it is not being used…

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At the start of winter…

1. Reduce chlorinator run times and output depending on existing run times and bather load.
2. Clean and service the pool and balance the water chemistry. Once done, you can not ignore a swimming pool in Queensland for months at a time due to our dry weather warm days.
3. Balance the water and shock your pool including adding algaecide and keep your phosphates low by adding a treatment.
4. Ensure all equipment is working.
5. Cover the pool with a pool blanket. A pool cover or solar blanket will assist in preventing dirt and leaves from entering your pool and prevent evaporation.

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During winter…

1. The water level must be regularly checked in our dry winters. It should be half to three quarters up the skimmer box.
2. Balance the water chemistry monthly (pH and total alkalinity and salt levels, cyanuric sunscreen etc. by taking a pool water sample to Swimart Mackay for a free water test.
3. Clean the pool. Brush the pool walls, floor and steps and ledges and especially the pool steps to remove any build-up of dirt.
4. Scoop the water surface to remove any floating debris.
5. Clean your salt cell (if you have a chlorinator to remove calcium build-up)
6. Check both the pump and skimmer basket and empty and clean if necessary.
7. Clean the filter depending on the type of filter that your pool has:
   • CARTRIDGE FILTER: clean paper cartridge at least once a fortnight in winter.
   • D.E. FILTER: backwash monthly and every three months, strip filter and clean.
   • SAND FILTER: check the pressure gauge. Only backwash if required (50kpa above normal clean filter pressure).
8. Do not leave your automatic pool suction or robot cleaner in the pool 24/7.

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Common pool winterising mistakes…

Here is a list of 10 common winterising mistakes that can lead to costly problems:

1. Failing to shock your pool. Remember to shock the pool as directed on the product packaging.
2. Forgetting to adjust the pool pH to 7.2-7.8. This pH level will prevent staining, scaling, and algae growth.
3. Failing to thoroughly vacuum and skim your pool water for floating and sunken debris.
4. Not adding algaecide to prevent algae blooms and growth.
5. Not properly testing your pool water before closing it. People often guess their levels and this can lead to issues.
6. Letting your phosphate levels get too high. This is often caused by leaves in the pool. Use a phosphate remover to balance your levels.
7. Failing to clean your filter. Any grease or oil deposits will harden through winter and make the filter harder to clean when spring rolls around.
8. Forgetting about your salt cells. As a rule of thumb, salt cells should be cleaned every three to four months to help them live their longest life. If you see white calcification building up in your cell, it’s definitely time for a clean.
9. Failing to secure your pool cover. Including attaching and tightening straps where appropriate and ensuring the edge of the cover is tight to the deck surface to prevent wind incursions.
10. Failing to keep up a basic maintenance schedule. Once you’ve completed your winter prep, it’s vital that you stick to a basic maintenance schedule to ensure your pool water is balanced and your equipment is performing properly. Once a week, do a quick visual inspection of your entire pool system.

If you’d like a professional to help prepare your pool for winter, you can connect with Syd and the expert team at Swimart Mackay by calling 0413 586 037.