Winter pool maintenance | Splash’s Pools

Winter pool maintenance on the Central Coast & Lake Macquarie: what to do when nobody feels like swimming

Winter pool maintenance is not glamorous. We know. Nobody is standing outside in July thinking, “You know what sounds fun? Cleaning the skimmer basket.”

But here is the thing.

A pool left alone through winter can turn into a very annoying spring problem. Green water, blocked baskets, damaged equipment, poor water balance and a very sad-looking pool can all creep up whilst you are inside pretending the pool doesn't exist.

The good news? Winter pool care does not need to be hard. You just need to keep things ticking along.

If you have a pool on the Central Coast or around Lake Macquarie in particular, here is what you should be doing through the cooler months.

Do you still need to maintain your pool in winter?

Yes. Sorry.

Your pool may not be getting used much, but the water, equipment and surfaces still need care.

In winter, chlorine demand is usually lower because there is less heat and sunlight. That means you may not need as much chlorine as you do in summer. But lower chlorine demand does not mean no maintenance at all.

Your pool still needs:

• regular water testing
• balanced chemicals
• clean baskets
• correct pump run time
• working equipment
• leaves and debris removed

Think of winter pool maintenance like brushing your teeth. You do not stop just because you don't need to smile today.

How often should you test your pool water in winter?

We recommend regular water testing through winter, even if the pool looks clear.

Clear water does not always mean balanced water. Your pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, stabiliser and sanitiser levels can still move around. Rain, leaves, reduced filtration and low use can all affect the balance.

Poor water balance can lead to:

• cloudy water
• algae growth
• scale
• staining
• corrosion
• damage to pool equipment
• rough pool surfaces

A quick water test can help catch small issues before they become expensive ones.

You can bring a water sample into us for testing, or book an on-site water test if you want us to check things at your place.

Can you reduce your pool pump run time in winter?

Usually, yes.

In the cooler months, your pool will often need less filtration than it does in summer. The exact run time depends on your pool size, equipment, environment and how much debris is getting into the water.

As a general guide, many pools can reduce their pump run time in winter. But do not turn the system off completely.

Your pool still needs circulation. Water that does not move becomes a little too comfortable for algae. And once algae moves in, it does not pay rent and it is very annoying to evict.

If you are not sure what your winter pump run time should be, ask us in-store, give us a call, send us an email or book a service. We can help you set it properly.

Keep leaves and debris under control

Winter on the Central Coast can mean wind, rain and plenty of leaves.

Leaves sitting in your pool are not just ugly. They can affect water quality, stain surfaces and block your baskets or cleaner. If baskets get too full, your pump may struggle to draw water properly. That can put extra pressure on your equipment.

Try to keep on top of:

• skimmer baskets
• pump baskets
• cleaner baskets
• leaves on the pool floor
• debris around the waterline

This is especially important after rain or windy weather.

Your pool does not need to look display-home perfect every day, but it should not look like the black lake either.

Watch out after heavy rain

Rain can dilute your pool chemicals and throw the water balance out. It can also wash dirt, leaves and other debris into the pool.

After heavy rain, it is a good idea to:

• empty the skimmer and pump baskets
• check the water level
• remove leaves and debris
• test the water
• check the pool is circulating properly

If your pool has gone cloudy or green after rain, do not just keep tipping random chemicals in and hoping for the best. That is how pool cupboards become chemical graveyards.

Get the water tested first so you know what the pool actually needs.

Do not ignore your pool equipment

Winter is a good time to check your pool equipment because you are not relying on it as heavily as you do in summer.

Keep an eye on:

• noisy pumps
• leaking pipes
• low water flow
• error messages on chlorinators
• dirty filters
• cleaners that stop moving properly
• strange pressure readings

A small equipment issue in winter can become a much bigger problem by summer.

If something sounds weird, looks weird or is doing that thing where you say, “She'll be right,” it is probably worth getting checked.

Should you book a winter pool service?

A winter pool service is a smart idea if you do not want to think about your pool every week, fortnight or month.

Regular maintenance through winter helps keep the water balanced, the equipment running properly and the pool ready for warmer weather.

It is also much easier to maintain a clear pool than recover a green one.

At Splash’s Pools, we offer pool servicing across the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie. We can help with regular maintenance, one-off services, green pool recovery, water testing, equipment checks and pool handovers.

Winter pool maintenance checklist

Here is the simple version.

Through winter, you should:

• test your pool water regularly
• keep chlorine at the right level
• check pH and alkalinity
• reduce pump run time if suitable
• keep baskets clean
• remove leaves and debris
• check water level after rain
• watch for cloudy or green water
• keep an eye on equipment
• book a service if you are not sure

That is it. Nothing fancy. Just consistent pool care so spring does not come with a nasty invoice.

Need help with your pool this winter?

If your pool is looking a bit questionable, your equipment is being dramatic or you simply do not want to deal with it, we can help.

Visit Splash’s Pools in-store for water testing and advice, or book a pool service across the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie. Give us a call or send us an email if you're unsure.

Winter pool maintenance might not be exciting, but neither is opening the cover in September and discovering what can only be described as "nice and sloppy."

Let’s avoid that.

Till next time Splashers 👋