Getting your pool ready for winter in New Zealand is essential to avoid costly damage and ensure an easy start-up when summer returns. Since winters here are relatively mild in many regions (but still cold enough to require proper care), here's a clear, informative step-by-step process.
Step-by-Step Guide
As summer winds down and temperatures drop, it's time to start thinking about winterising your pool. Properly closing your pool for the colder months helps prevent algae growth, equipment damage, and a whole lot of hassle when the sun comes back out. Here's your complete step-by-step guide to keeping your pool clean, protected, and healthy through winter.
Step 1: Give Your Pool a Deep Clean
Start by thoroughly cleaning the pool:
- Skim off any leaves and debris from the surface.
- Vacuum the bottom and walls.
- Brush the walls and tile line to remove any build-up.
- Clean out the skimmer baskets and pump basket.
Why? This removes organic material that can cause staining, clog filters, or feed algae over winter.
Step 2: Test and Balance Your Water
Use a test kit or take a water sample to your local pool shop to check:
- pH (aim for 7.2–7.6)
- Alkalinity (80–120 ppm)
- Calcium hardness (180–220 ppm)
- Chlorine (1–3 ppm)
Adjust levels as needed with pool chemicals. You want everything balanced before closing up.
Why? Balanced water prevents corrosion, scaling, and algae growth while your pool is dormant.
Step 3: Shock the Pool
Add a chlorine shock treatment such as Safe T Chlor to kill off any lingering bacteria or algae.
- Do this in the evening to avoid sunlight burning off the chlorine.
- Run the filter for 6–8 hours afterwards.
Tip: Use a non-chlorine shock like Oxygen Shock if you're closing it the next day to avoid high chlorine levels under the cover.
Step 4: Add an Algaecide
Use a Backyard All Purpose Algaecide to keep algae at bay over the colder months. Follow the instructions on the bottle — and don’t skip this step!
Step 5: Clean and Store Equipment
- Backwash and clean the filter
- Remove any pool cleaners or accessories
- Drain pumps, filters, and heaters if they won’t be used
- Store pool toys, ladders, and gear in a dry spot
Step 6: Cover Your Pool
A good-quality pool cover is essential:
- It keeps debris out
- Reduces evaporation
- Maintains chemical balance
- Keeps curious kids or pets safe
Tip: Make sure the cover fits securely and doesn’t sag into the water.
Step 7: Monitor Monthly (Yes, Even in Winter!)
Just because it's winter doesn’t mean you can forget about your pool entirely. Once a month:
- Check chemical levels
- Remove any debris on the cover
- Top up water if needed
Bonus: Run your pump once per week for the whole day to ensure your filter and pump are functioning and don’t forget to turn your pool lights on to minimise condensation in the lights.
Winterising your pool might seem like a chore, but a little effort now means less time and money spent when summer returns. Whether you’re in chilly Christchurch or warmer Whangarei, following this process will help keep your pool clean, clear, and ready to dive into when the sun comes back out.
