DIY Pool Maintenance

Keeping Your Pool Clean Without Paying a Fortune

Owning a pool in New Zealand is great—until you realise it won’t keep itself clean. But paying for a professional every time something’s a bit off? That adds up. The good news is, most of the maintenance can be done yourself, and once you get the hang of it, it’s actually pretty easy. Here’s what you need to know.

Keep the Water Moving

Still water is bad news. It’s where algae love to grow, and it turns your pool into a murky mess. You need to keep the pump and filter running enough during the day—aim for 6-8 hours, more in summer when the water’s warm.

What to do:

Check your pool pump is working properly and not clogged.
Make sure the filter is clean (sand filters need a backwash, cartridge filters just need a hose down).
Run the pump daily—it’s like cycling air in your house; stale air is bad, stagnant water is worse.

👉 Pool & Spa Warehouse NZ has filters and pumps if yours needs a refresh.

Keep the Chemistry Balanced

If your pool water isn’t balanced, it won’t matter how much you scrub—it’ll always turn cloudy or green. You don’t need to be a scientist, but you do need to test it regularly (once a week in summer, every couple of weeks in winter).

Here’s what you need to check:

pH levels – Aim for 7.2-7.6; too high or low and the chlorine won’t work properly.
Chlorine levels – Around 1-3 ppm (parts per million) keeps bacteria and algae in check.
Alkalinity – This helps stabilise pH, should be 80-120 ppm.

Use a basic pool test kit or test strips—you can grab them from Bunnings NZ or check out The Pool Warehouse for digital testers.

Scrub, Skim, and Vacuum

Even if your chemicals are perfect, gunk builds up. Leaves, dirt, sunscreen—it all collects over time. The trick is little and often so it never gets out of hand.

Skim the surface daily – Get rid of leaves and bugs before they sink (it only takes a couple of minutes).
Scrub the walls weekly – Algae loves sticking to the sides; a simple pool brush will stop it early.
Vacuum the bottom – Whether it’s a manual vacuum or an automatic one, clean up the dirt before it makes the water go cloudy.

If you’re after an easier solution, check out some robotic pool cleaners at Trade Me—they can do the hard work for you.

Keep an Eye on Water Levels

Too much rain? Water levels rise, diluting the chemicals. Too much sun? Evaporation lowers the water level, making the chemicals stronger. Check and adjust as needed—aim for the water level to sit around the middle of the skimmer opening.

If you top up the pool, give it a chlorine boost (after heavy rain or a refill, chlorine levels can drop too low).

Shock the Pool When It Needs It

Sometimes your pool just needs a hard reset. If it’s looking cloudy, green, or smells a bit off, it’s time to shock it—which just means adding a bigger dose of chlorine to kill off the bad stuff.

How often?

Once a week in summer if used a lot.
After a big storm or heavy rain.
If the water starts looking murky or smelling weird.

You’ll find chlorine shock treatments at Mitre 10 or any local pool supply store.

Don’t Forget the Pool Cover

If you don’t have one, you’re making things harder for yourself. Covers help in three big ways:

Stops leaves and dirt from getting in – Less cleaning for you.
Reduces water evaporation – Saves water and keeps chemical levels more stable.
Keeps the heat in – Especially useful in NZ’s cooler months.

Solar covers are a great option—they warm your pool up naturally, cutting heating costs. You can check out options at Pool Covers NZ.

The Bottom Line

Pool maintenance isn’t hard, it just needs regular attention. Five to ten minutes a day for skimming and checking the water can save you hours dealing with cloudy, green messes later on. The better you stay on top of it, the easier it gets.

Got a pool problem you’re stuck on? Your local pool shop (like those at Swimart NZ) can help with any tricky issues. Otherwise, stick to these basics and you’ll have clear, inviting water all summer long.