Bought a house with a pool? What every new pool owner needs to know

Congratulations. You bought the house.

It has the kitchen you wanted, enough bedrooms, a decent backyard and, bonus, a pool.

Then settlement happens.

You walk over to the pool equipment and realise you have inherited a collection of pumps, pipes, valves, timers and boxes with flashing lights, and absolutely no idea what any of them do.

Welcome to pool ownership.

Whether this is your first ever pool or simply a completely different setup to the one you have owned before, there is quite a bit worth learning when you move into a home with an existing swimming pool.

The good news is that you do not need to become a pool technician.

You just need to understand what you have, what it does and what your pool needs from you to keep it clean, clear and working properly.

Here is where we recommend every new pool owner starts.

First question: what exactly have you inherited?

Not all swimming pools are the same.

You may have moved from a house with a small fibreglass pool into one with a large concrete pool. Maybe you have never owned a pool before. Perhaps the new house has a plunge pool, heating, automation, a mineral system or equipment that looks nothing like what you are used to.

Before changing settings or adding chemicals, work out exactly what you have.

Start with the pool itself.

What type of pool is it?

Find out whether you have:

• a fibreglass pool
• a concrete pool
• a vinyl-lined pool
• a plunge pool
• a spa or combined pool and spa
• a mineral or magnesium pool
• a traditional saltwater pool

The pool surface matters because different surfaces can have different cleaning and water chemistry requirements.

For example, you would not necessarily approach brushing and cleaning a fibreglass surface in exactly the same way as some concrete pool finishes.

A plunge pool also has a much smaller volume of water than a large family pool. That means relatively small chemical additions can have a much bigger effect.

Knowing what you own is step one.

Do you know how many litres are in your pool?

This is one of the most useful pieces of information a pool owner can have.

Why?

Because pool chemical dosing is based on water volume.

If you think you have a 40,000 litre pool when it is actually closer to 25,000 litres, guessing chemical quantities can quickly create another problem.

Your pool volume also helps when considering:

• pump sizing
• filtration
• heating
• chlorinator capacity
• chemical dosing
• cleaner selection

If the previous owners left plans, invoices or handover documents, have a look through them.

If not, we can help you work out an approximate pool volume.

Meet the equipment

This is usually where we lose people.

There may be several pieces of equipment sitting beside the pool, and unless somebody has explained them before, there is no reason you should automatically know what everything does.

A typical pool equipment setup might include:

• pool pump
• filter
• salt chlorinator
• chemical dosing equipment
• valves
• timer or controller
• robotic or suction cleaner
• pool heater or heat pump
• solar heating
• lighting transformer
• automation system
• spa controls
• water feature pumps

Your system might have three of those.

It might have ten.

What matters is knowing which equipment belongs to your pool and what each component is responsible for.

What does the pool pump do?

Think of the pump as the part that gets the water moving.

It draws water from the pool, sends it through the filtration system and returns it back to the pool.

You should know:

• how to turn it on and off
• how long it is programmed to run
• whether it is single-speed or variable-speed
• how to clean the pump basket
• what normal operation sounds like
• what to do if it loses prime
• where the isolation valves are
• where to switch the filtration system off if required

And please, learn what your normal pool pump sounds like.

You do not need to stand beside it every morning conducting a mechanical inspection.

But if it suddenly starts sounding like it has swallowed a handful of gravel, that is useful information.

What type of filter do you have?

Your filter removes fine dirt and debris from the water.

Most residential pools will have either a:

Sand or media filter

These generally have a multiport valve with settings such as Filter, Backwash and Rinse.

If you have one, you need to know how and when to backwash it, and importantly, which position the valve should normally be in.

Cartridge filter

These contain removable filter cartridges that need to be taken out and cleaned periodically.

You should know where the cartridge is, how to safely depressurise and open the filter and how to recognise when the cartridge may need cleaning or replacing.

Whatever filter you inherit, do not start turning valves at random to see what happens.

Some experiments are better conducted somewhere other than the pool equipment bay.

Is it actually a saltwater pool?

This one causes more confusion than you might think.

A saltwater pool is still a chlorine pool.

The difference is that a salt chlorinator uses salt in the pool water to generate chlorine.

If you inherit a chlorinator, find out:

• the make and model
• its current output setting
• its operating times
• whether the cell is clean
• approximately how old the cell is
• whether any warning lights or error messages are showing

If you have moved in during winter, remember that the settings the previous owner was using may have been appropriate for cooler conditions.

They may not be appropriate once the weather warms up.

Pool settings should change with the pool's needs, not simply stay where somebody left them five years ago.

Understand the valves before you move them

Those handles attached to the plumbing actually matter.

Depending on the setup, valves may control water coming from or going to:

• the skimmer
• main drains
• spa
• pool returns
• water features
• solar heating
• cleaners
• heating systems

We strongly recommend knowing what each valve does before changing its position.

Take photos once you know the correct normal operating position.

Future you will be very grateful.

Find out how the pool is supposed to be cleaned

Every pool collects debris differently.

Your new pool might have:

• a robotic cleaner
• a suction cleaner
• an in-floor cleaning system
• manual vacuum equipment
• nothing at all

You should know how to:

• empty the skimmer basket
• empty the pump basket
• clean the cleaner basket or filter
• brush the walls and steps
• vacuum the pool if required
• clean the waterline
• remove leaves and debris

Also look at the surroundings.

A pool under gum trees will have different day-to-day cleaning needs from a sheltered pool with very little vegetation around it.

You are not just inheriting the pool.

You are inheriting its environment too.

Learn how to test the water

This is one of the biggest things we want new pool owners to understand.

Do not wait until the water turns green before testing it.

A swimming pool can look beautifully clear and still have water chemistry that needs attention.

Regular pool water testing can look at things such as:

• free chlorine
• pH
• total alkalinity
• calcium hardness
• stabiliser
• salt
• phosphates, where appropriate

What your particular pool needs will depend on the surface, sanitising system, water conditions and equipment.

Our rule is simple:

Test first. Treat second.

Do not inherit half a shed full of mystery chemicals from the previous owner and start pouring things in because they are there.

Some of those chemicals may be useful.

Some may no longer be needed.

Some may not even be appropriate for your pool.

Find out what the water actually needs first.

Ask what the previous owner was doing

If you still have contact through the selling agent or can obtain information during the handover, there are some very useful questions worth asking.

Try to find out:

• Who previously serviced the pool?
• How often was it serviced?
• When was the filter last cleaned or serviced?
• When was the filter media last replaced?
• How old are the pump and chlorinator?
• Has the chlorinator cell been replaced?
• Has the pool ever had a recurring leak?
• Is there a regular water-loss issue?
• Has any equipment recently been repaired?
• Is the pool heated?
• What are the timer settings?
• Are there equipment manuals?
• Are any components still under warranty?
• Is there automation connected to an app?
• What type of pool cleaner is used?
• Are there any quirks you should know about?

That last question can be surprisingly useful.

Every pool seems to have one.

Look for manuals, invoices and warranty information

Before throwing away the folder of paperwork left in the kitchen drawer, check whether any of it belongs to the pool.

Original equipment manuals and invoices can tell you:

• make and model numbers
• installation dates
• warranty information
• previous repairs
• equipment age
• replacement parts
• original installer details

Take photos of equipment model and serial numbers too.

These can save a lot of time when something eventually needs parts or servicing.

Fibreglass, concrete or plunge pool: does it actually make a difference?

Yes.

You do not need to become an expert in pool construction, but knowing your pool type helps you understand its maintenance needs.

Fibreglass pools

Fibreglass pools have a smooth gelcoat surface.

You need to use cleaning equipment and chemical treatment that is appropriate for that surface, and maintaining correct water balance remains important for protecting the finish and equipment.

Concrete pools

Concrete pools may have finishes such as pebble, tile or other interior surfaces.

The age and finish of the pool can influence how it should be brushed, cleaned and chemically maintained.

If you have moved from fibreglass to concrete, do not assume everything will be exactly the same.

Plunge pools

Small does not necessarily mean zero maintenance.

A plunge pool contains less water, which means changes in chemistry can occur quickly and chemical dosing needs to reflect the smaller volume.

Then add heating, jets or spa-style equipment and suddenly that “little pool” can have a fairly sophisticated equipment setup.

The point is not that one pool type is difficult and another is easy.

The point is that you should know what you own before trying to look after it.

Does the pool have heating?

If there is a heat pump, gas heater or solar heating system, learn how it integrates with the filtration system.

Ask:

• how to turn it on
• what temperature it is set to
• whether the pump needs to run while heating
• whether particular valves need to be open
• whether there is a bypass
• when it was last serviced

And if you are heating the pool, find out whether there is a pool blanket.

Holding the heat you have already paid to put into the water makes a lot more sense than repeatedly replacing it.

Does the pool have automation?

Newer pool setups can have everything from simple timers through to app-controlled filtration, chlorination, heating, lighting, spa modes and water features.

If your pool has automation, make sure you actually have access to it.

Check whether:

• the previous owner needs to remove their account
• you need to create your own login
• the controller is connected to the home's Wi-Fi
• schedules are already programmed
• you know what each programmed mode does

“Party mode” might sound self-explanatory.

It is still worth checking before pressing it.

Check your pool safety information too

When you purchase a property with a swimming pool or spa in NSW, there are responsibilities that come with becoming the new owner.

Check that the pool is registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register and familiarise yourself with the property's pool compliance documentation.

Pool barriers and gates also need to be maintained, and an appropriate CPR sign must be displayed.

Your pool equipment handover is not a pool barrier compliance inspection. If you have questions about certification or compliance, speak with your local council or a registered swimming pool certifier.

It is still worth including pool safety in your new-owner checklist because knowing how to look after the water is only one part of owning a swimming pool.

What if the pool looks fine when you move in?

Great.

That is actually the best time to learn how it works.

Do not wait until something goes wrong.

If we meet you while the pool is clear, equipment is operating and everything is reasonably normal, we can show you what normal looks and sounds like.

That gives you something to compare against later.

If you wait until the pump stops, the chlorinator is showing an error and the pool has turned green, there is suddenly a lot more information to absorb.

What is a pool handover or Pool School?

This is exactly why we offer our pool handover service, also known as Pool School.

It is essentially a one-on-one lesson at your own pool.

One of our technicians comes to the property and runs you through your pool, your equipment and your setup.

Not a generic diagram.

Not a YouTube video about a pump that looks vaguely similar to yours.

Your actual pool.

Depending on the equipment at the property, we can walk you through things such as:

• what type of pool you own
• approximate pool volume
• your pump and filtration system
• chlorinator operation
• timers and schedules
• valves and normal positions
• cleaning the skimmer and pump baskets
• filter cleaning or backwashing
• robotic or suction cleaners
• heating equipment
• pool blankets and rollers
• automation and controllers
• basic water testing
• routine cleaning
• what maintenance you need to do
• what warning signs to watch for
• when it is time to call us

Most importantly, you can ask questions as we go.

Because when somebody tells you, “Just backwash the filter”, it is considerably more helpful if they also show you which valve to turn and what “backwash” actually means.

Pool School is not just for first-time pool owners

We often think of pool handovers as being for somebody who has never owned a swimming pool before.

They absolutely are.

But they are just as useful if you have owned pools for years and the new one is completely different.

Maybe you previously had:

• fibreglass and now have concrete
• a basic salt pool and now have automation
• a large pool and now have a plunge pool
• an unheated pool and now have a heat pump
• a suction cleaner and now have a robot
• simple equipment and now have a combined pool and spa system

Owning a pool before does not mean you automatically know this pool.

That is completely normal.

New pool owner checklist

If you have just purchased a home with a pool, work through this list:

Identify the pool type and surface

Work out the approximate pool volume

Identify the pump

Identify the filter type

Identify the chlorinator or sanitising system

Learn what each valve controls

Check the pump and chlorinator schedules

Find out how to clean the filter

Learn how to empty the skimmer and pump baskets

Identify the pool cleaner

Check whether there is heating

Check whether there is automation

Find equipment manuals and warranties

Find out when the equipment was last serviced

Have the pool water properly tested

Check the pool's NSW registration and compliance information

Know where to switch the filtration system off if required

Book a Pool School if you would rather have someone show you

Bought the house. Inherited the pool. We can help with the rest.

Moving house comes with enough things to work out.

The pool does not need to be another one.

If you have recently purchased a property with a swimming pool on the Central Coast or around Lake Macquarie, book a Splash's Pools handover or Pool School and we can run you through the entire setup at your own home.

Even better, when you book a Pool School appointment with us, you’ll receive 20% off handover gear, including pool scoops, hoses, poles and brushes, so you’re not trying to maintain your new pool with a mystery net from 2009 and a hose that kinks every three seconds.

We will show you what you have, how it works, what you need to do yourself and what you should keep an eye on.

And if looking after it yourself turns out to be less appealing once we have explained the baskets, filters, water testing and chemistry?

We can help with that too.

Splash's Pools provides regular and one-off pool servicing, water testing, equipment diagnostics, repairs and equipment support across the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie.

Because buying a house with a pool should feel like a bonus.

Not like you accidentally inherited a part-time job.