Winterising is maintaining your pool during winter when it is not being used frequently. Winterising your swimming pool is important as it can prevent future costs of getting your pool back to normal for the summer.

  1. Don’t simply turn the filter off and forget the pool for 3 or 4 months. This is false economy because the time, effort and money needed to get the pool water correctly adjusted next season, will be far more than the little needed to maintain it during winter.
  2. Thoroughly backwash the filter. If it is a cartridge filter, clean it with Pool Pro Filter Cleaner. Ensure that the skimmer basket and the hair and lint pot are free of debris. Lubricate all O-rings with Inox Non Melt Rubber Grease available from your Pool Pro Professional. There should be a strong flow of water returning to the pool when the filter is turned on.
  3. Adjust the total alkalinity level with Pool Pro Buffer, if the level is below 80 – 120 ppm.
  4. Adjust the pH to 7.2 to 7.6 by adding Pool Pro Hydrochloric Acid if the level is too high, or Pool Pro pH Increaser if it’s too low. It is a good idea to mix the chemicals with a full bucket of water before adding it to the pool. Remember to always add the acid to the water and never in amounts of more than 500ml. With Pool Pro pH Increaser and Pool Pro Hydrochloric Acid or Pool Pro Dry Acid always add the minimum amount recommended and then check again to avoid pH bounce.
  5. Mix 500 grams of Pool Pro Granular Chlorine and thoroughly dissolve, and dispose of any residue left in the bottom of the bucket, or 750ml of Pool Pro Liquid Chlorine with a bucket of water and add it to the pool.
  6. Mix 750ml – 1L of Pool Pro Black Spot Remover (which is a long life algaecide that is specifically designed for winterising) and add it to the pool. Follow the instructions on the label carefully.
  7. Adjust the timer to allow the filter to operate for 4 hours each day. The total water in your pool should be turned over (filtered) twice per day or once each filtration cycle.
  8. If the pool is equipped with a salt chlorinator, clean the cell with a Pool Pro Cell Cleaner. Adjust the control to the ½ production setting. This is dependent on the setup of the chlorinator. Always check with your Pool Pro Professional.
  9. Having carried out these procedures, it should only be necessary to check the chlorine level every two weeks and empty the skimmer basket if it has a build up of leaves etc.
  10. Check occasionally to ensure the water level is half way up the skimmer box opening and that the Pool Pro Pressure Gauge on the filter is not indicating that a backwash is required.

This simple procedure will ensure that your pool will be ready for the first warm days of next summer.

It is important to note that in warmer climates, due to unseasonable heat or extensive rain fall, winterising is not always as effective as it is in cold climates.

See your Pool Pro Professional for additional advice.