As summer comes to an end and pool use declines, it’s tempting to put maintenance on hold. However, neglecting your pool during the cooler months can lead to algae growth, equipment issues, and costly repairs when you’re ready to swim again. Learning how to look after a swimming pool after summer helps keep the water clean and protects your system.
With a few simple steps, you can reduce maintenance while keeping your pool in top condition.
Why Post-Summer Pool Care Matters
Even if your pool isn’t in regular use, maintaining it during the off-season is essential. Without proper care, you could face imbalanced water, clogged filters, or corrosion in your pump and chlorinator. Regular pool maintenance helps:
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Prevent algae growth and bacteria build-up
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Keep water chemistry stable
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Make getting the pool ready in spring quick, cheaper and hassle-free
A little effort now will save you time and money later.
Balance Your Water Chemistry Before Reducing Maintenance
Before stepping back from regular maintenance, it’s important to stabilise your water chemistry to prevent algae, staining, and scale build-up.
Key chemical levels to check:
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pH: Should be between 7.2 and 7.6 to prevent corrosion and scale.
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Alkalinity: Keep it between 80-120 parts per million (ppm) to stabilise pH.
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Chlorine: Maintain levels between 2-3 ppm to keep bacteria and algae under control.
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Calcium hardness: Should be between 200-400 ppm to protect pool surfaces.
Using a test kit to monitor chemical levels ensures everything stays balanced. Adding a long-lasting algaecide can also help prevent green water while the pool is not in use.
Clean Your Pool Before Reducing Maintenance
Giving your pool a deep clean before the off-season reduces the risk of staining, algae, and cloudy water.
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Skim, vacuum, and brush all pool surfaces to remove debris and dirt.
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Backwash or clean the filter to improve water flow and efficiency.
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Empty skimmer and pump baskets to prevent blockages.
If you want to cut down on manual work, robotic pool cleaners can take care of scrubbing and vacuuming automatically.
Adjust the Filtration and Pool Pump Running Time
You don’t need to run your pump at full capacity when the pool isn’t in use, but keeping an appropriate level of circulation, filtration, and sanitisation will help maintain clean water and prevent stagnation.
Regularly check your pool’s baskets and filter, and test your water chemistry to ensure everything remains stable.
How to Protect Your Pool Equipment
Neglecting your pump, chlorinator, baskets and filter can lead to costly repairs. A few simple checks can help extend their lifespan.
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Inspect and clean the filter to remove trapped debris.
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Check for leaks or wear in the pump and chlorinator.
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Consider covering equipment to protect it from the elements.
One common issue that emerges as the weather cools is that the level of chlorine increases dramatically. The cause is that the system is still running in summer mode and producing a level of chlorine appropriate for summer. However, this is too much chlorine for autumn and winter. To reduce the chlorine production and sort this issue, there are two levers to pull:
1. Reduce the run time of the system; and / or
2. Reduce the chlorine production or ORP level.
If you're unsure whether to make adjustments, schedule a professional check-up to keep your system in good condition.
Use a Pool Cover to Minimise Your Maintenance
Covering your pool during the off-season is a great way to minimise maintenance and keep the water clean. There are two main types of pool covers: thermal covers and debris covers. We generally advise against using thermal covers in winter. Debris covers, on the other hand, are suitable for winter use—as long as they allow the pool to breathe. They effectively prevent leaves and other debris from entering the water, which helps reduce the amount of cleaning needed during the colder months.
Keep Your Pool in Good Condition with Monthly Check-Ups
Even when not in use, your pool needs occasional attention to prevent imbalanced water, clogged equipment, or unexpected damage. A quick monthly check-up helps keep everything in order and avoids costly repairs.
Simple Monthly Pool Maintenance Checklist:
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Monitor water chemistry: Use a test kit to check chlorine, pH, and alkalinity, making small adjustments as needed.
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Clear out debris: Even with a pool cover, leaves and insects can collect in skimmer baskets. Regular cleaning prevents blockages.
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Run the pump and check circulation: Monitor the system to ensure proper water flow and listen for any unusual sounds.
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Look for signs of contamination: Check for cloudy water, staining, or any build-up that could lead to problems.
A few simple checks each month will help prevent unnecessary maintenance when spring comes along.
What to Do with Your Pool Before Spring
As the weather warms up, your pool will need a boost to get back into swimming condition. Shocking your pool before reopening helps remove bacteria, algae spores, and organic matter that may have built up over the cooler months.
How to shock your pool effectively:
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Test your water balance to check chlorine and pH levels.
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Use a shock treatment suited to your salt chlorination or chlorine system.
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Run the pump to distribute chemicals evenly.
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Allow the filter system to run for a few days before retesting. As the weather warms, you will need to make the appropriate adjustments to the system's run time and chlorination / ORP levels.
This process ensures the water stays clean, clear, and safe for swimming when the warmer weather returns.
Keep Your Pool in Top Condition with Pool Assist
Knowing how to look after a swimming pool after summer doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right pool maintenance routine, you can keep your water clean, protect your pool’s circulation system, and make reopening your pool in spring a stress-free process.
For expert advice, professional servicing, and high-quality pool equipment, Pool Assist is here to help. Get in touch today and keep your pool in perfect condition all year round.