Essential Winter Maintenance for Your Fibreglass Pool
Proper maintenance during the colder months is crucial for keeping your pool in excellent condition, ensuring that it’s ready for swimming when the warmer seasons return. By taking care of your pool, you not only protect your investment but also extend its lifespan, maximizing your enjoyment and value for money.
Luckily, fibreglass pools require less frequent and less intensive maintenance compared to other pool types like concrete or granite. Here’s how to keep your pool in tip-top shape this winter:
Use a Pool Cover
If you live in warmer regions like Johannesburg, Pretoria, or Durban, you might want to keep your fibreglass pool open year-round. However, in colder parts of South Africa, covering your pool when it’s not in use is highly recommended.
Benefits of covering your pool:
Prevents debris buildup, algae growth, and bacteria contamination.
Reduces the risk of damage, such as pipes cracking from freezing water.
Allows you to switch off the pump system, saving on electricity costs.
While it’s sad to see your pool covered, it’s a small step that ensures its long-term health and reduces maintenance needs.
Maintain the Water Level
Keeping the water level above the skimmer is essential to counteract upward pressure from groundwater. In extreme cases, low water levels can cause significant damage to the pool floor.
Regional tips:
Cape Town: Rainy winters may naturally refill your pool.
Johannesburg and Pretoria: Top up your pool as needed to maintain the correct water level.
Balance the Pool Chemistry
Proper water chemistry is key to preventing algae, bacteria, and waterline buildup. For fibreglass pools, aim for:
Free chlorine: Optimal levels to sanitize water.
pH: Maintain between 7.0 and 7.4.
Calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, and alkalinity: Regular checks ensure water stability.
If your pool isn’t circulating water during winter, chlorine may not be necessary. However, if your pool is in use, test the water weekly. For unused pools, check every two months to ensure balanced chemistry.
Inspect and Maintain Pool Parts
Your pool equipment requires periodic maintenance regardless of the season. Check essential components such as:
Pool pump
Filter
Heater
Ensure all excess water is removed from these parts to prevent freezing damage in colder regions.
Avoid Draining Your Pool
Draining your pool is generally unnecessary if the water level is well-maintained. However, if you feel you need to drain it, always consult a pool professional. Incorrect drainage can damage the pool and lead to expensive repairs. Factor in the cost of refilling before making this decision.
Winter Maintenance Pays Off
Taking care of your pool during winter helps you avoid costly repairs and ensures a seamless transition to springtime swimming. By following these simple tips, you can save money and keep your pool in pristine condition.
Don’t Own a Fibreglass Pool Yet?
If you’re dreaming of owning a low-maintenance, high-quality pool, Pools for Africa has you covered. We offer a wide range of pool shapes, colours, and finishes in basic, standard, and deluxe options.
Our fibreglass pools are regularly delivered throughout South and Southern Africa, with weekly drops to Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town.
Get a quote today and take the first step toward making your dream pool a reality. Let us satisfy all your pool needs!
Pools for Africa – The Experts in Fibreglass Pools.
