A little bit of effort will keep your pool sparkling through winter and save you time and money when the warm weather arrives.
IF you own a pool, now is the time to think about preparing it to survive the cold weather so it is ready for use when the temperature finally rises again.
“Just like your car needs regular servicing, so too does your swimming pool and winter is the best time to do this,” pool and spa specialist Swimart’s Victorian manager Michael Griffiths said.
Mr Griffiths said while many pool owners considered clear water to equal clean water, it was not always the case.
A number of maintenance steps would go a long way towards protecting the pool in winter. These include:
-Balance the pool’s pH level to between 7.2 and 7.6 and add treatment, if necessary, to correct the level.
-Brush the walls and floor and thoroughly vacuum the pool, including the skimmer and lint baskets.
-Keep the pool’s filter clean, as any grease or oil deposits will harden over winter and make the filter harder to clean in the warmer months, not to mention reducing its overall efficiency.
-Use an appropriate shock treatment regularly and an algaecide that’s appropriate for the pool.
-Keep the pool’s chlorine levels at a constant 2-3 parts per million (ppm) throughout winter and maintain the pool’s pH and total alkalinity levels.
-Cover with a good quality blanket to prevent water loss and debris entering the pool.
-Stick to a maintenance schedule even though it’s cold and the pool is not being used.
Mr Griffiths said a little effort during winter could save time and money, and the household would have a pool ready to be used when the weather warmed up.
Source: http://whittlesea-leader.whereilive.com.au/property/story/implement-winter-care/