So, you’ve got a pool. That’s fantastic—until you realise it needs regular upkeep. And like anything in your home, maintenance costs can creep up fast if you’re not smart about it. But keeping your pool clean and running well doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here’s how you can keep things looking great without blowing your budget.

Keep Your Chemicals in Check

Pool chemicals aren’t cheap, but you can avoid overuse (and overspending) by keeping your water balanced. If your pH, chlorine, and alkalinity levels are off, you’ll end up using way more chemicals than necessary to fix the problem.

This is what you should do:

• Test your pool water regularly with a simple kit (like the ones from Mitre 10 or Bunnings).
• Keep pH levels between 7.2 and 7.6 and chlorine between 1-3 ppm—this helps your sanitiser work more efficiently.
• Use baking soda for alkalinity adjustment instead of pricey pool store products. (Yep, plain old baking soda works the same way.)

Use Your Pool Pump Wisely

Running your pump all day, every day? That’s an easy way to burn through electricity. Instead, cut back to around 6-8 hours a day in summer and 4-6 hours in winter. That’s usually enough to keep water circulating without skyrocketing your power bill.

• Try setting your pump to run during off-peak hours (check your power company for cheaper times).
• Clean your pump filter regularly—a clogged filter makes your system work harder, wasting energy.

Speaking of Filters…

A dirty filter makes your pump strain itself unnecessarily—kind of like trying to drink a thick milkshake through a tiny straw. Rinse cartridge filters every couple of weeks, and for sand filters, make sure you do a backwash when the pressure gauge goes up.

DIY Cleaning Saves You Cash

Skipping pool cleaning leads to bigger (and more expensive) problems down the road. Leaves, debris, and algae build-up mean more chemicals, more pump work, and in the worst cases, costly professional cleaning.

Here’s your low-cost game plan:

• Skim daily (or every few days) to keep leaves and bugs from sinking to the bottom.
• Vacuum weekly to stop dirt and algae from taking over. A basic pool vacuum does the trick.
• Brush the pool walls to prevent algae build-up—because trust me, green water is pain to fix!

Don’t Waste Water

Topping up your pool often? You might be losing unnecessary water through evaporation and leaks.

• Use a solar cover to slow down evaporation—it can cut water loss in half and keeps heat in (Bonus: cheaper heating bills!).
• Check for leaks—a drop in water level more than 3mm per day might mean there’s an issue. If so, get it checked early before it turns into an expensive repair.

Shop Smart for Supplies

You don’t have to buy all your pool gear from pricey specialty stores. Big retailers like Mitre 10, Bunnings, and The Warehouse stock plenty of budget-friendly pool care items. Also, check online shops like Trade Me for deals on second-hand equipment.

Bulk Buying = More Savings

Instead of grabbing small tubs of chlorine and testing kits every few weeks, buy in bulk from a pool supply store like Pool & Spa Warehouse or Mayfair Pools. You’ll save heaps in the long run.

Keep an Eye on Equipment

Ignoring minor equipment issues is an expensive mistake. A small leak, cracked hose, or noisy pump might seem like nothing, but they can turn into major repairs fast.

Do these quick checks regularly:

• Look for leaks around the filter and pump.
• Make sure hoses aren’t cracked or worn out (replacing them early prevents worse damage).
• If the pump is noisy, don’t ignore it—it might be running dry or need maintenance.

The Bottom Line

A little regular maintenance saves you time and money. Keep your water balanced, clean regularly, and use energy and chemicals wisely. That’s all it really takes. Stick to these simple habits, and you’ll have a sparkling pool without draining your wallet.