How to winterize a pool in New Zealand

Why You Should Winterize Your Pool

As a pool owner in New Zealand, you might be wondering if you really need to winterize your pool. While our winters are relatively mild compared to other parts of the world, neglecting your pool during the colder months can lead to algae growth, unbalanced water chemistry, and even expensive damage to your pool equipment.

By properly preparing your pool for winter, you can save time and money when summer rolls around, making it much easier to get your pool swim-ready again.

Step-by-Step Guide to Winterizing Your Pool

1. Clean Your Pool Thoroughly

Before shutting your pool down for winter, give it a deep clean. This includes:

Removing leaves, twigs, and other debris from the water
Scrubbing the pool walls and floor to prevent algae build-up
Vacuuming to remove any remaining dirt and particles

Pro Tip: Investing in a high-quality pool cover will help keep debris out during winter. Retailers like Para Rubber offer a range of pool covers to suit different pool types.

2. Balance the Water Chemistry

Before reducing pool maintenance over winter, check and adjust your pool’s water chemistry. Ensure the following levels are balanced:

pH: 7.2 – 7.6
Alkalinity: 80 – 120 ppm
Chlorine: 1 – 3 ppm

Balancing these levels helps prevent algae growth and protects your pool surfaces and equipment. You can grab a testing kit from stores like Pool & Spa Warehouse for easy at-home testing.

3. Shock the Pool

Shocking your pool before winter helps prevent algae and bacteria from growing while the pool is not in use. Use a winter algaecide or chlorine-based shock treatment a few days before covering the pool.

For expert advice on choosing the right products, check out The Pool & Spa Shop NZ for locally available chemicals.

4. Reduce Filtration and Cleaning Schedule

During winter, your pool doesn’t need to run as often as it does in summer. Reduce your filter’s running time to around 2-4 hours per day instead of the usual 8-12 hours. You should also clean out your skimmer basket and filter regularly to prevent blockages.

5. Lower the Pool Water Level (If Necessary)

If you live in an area that occasionally gets frost, you may want to lower the water level slightly to prevent damage to skimmers and tile edges. However, for most regions in New Zealand, this isn’t essential as freezing is rare.

6. Protect Pool Equipment

Pump & Filter: Give your pump and filter a good clean before reducing use in winter. If you’re not using the pool at all, you may even want to disconnect and store certain equipment in a dry area.
Pipes: In frost-prone areas, consider using a pool antifreeze solution or simply drain the pipes to prevent freezing damage.

7. Cover Your Pool

A quality pool cover is one of the best investments for maintaining your pool during winter. Covering the pool reduces evaporation, keeps out debris, and helps maintain water quality.

If you’re looking for pool covers in NZ, check out:

Ongoing Winter Maintenance

Even though your pool will be used less in winter, it’s still important to perform basic maintenance to keep it in top shape:

Check the water chemistry every 2-3 weeks to ensure the pH and chlorine levels remain balanced.
Remove debris from the surface if you don’t have a cover.
Ensure the pump and filter are running for a few hours a day to keep the water circulating and prevent algae growth.
Check for leaks or damage—catching issues early can save you money on repairs.

Preparing for Swim Season Again

When the weather starts warming up, you’ll need to reverse the winterizing process:

Remove and clean your pool cover.
Increase your filtration time gradually.
Test and rebalance the water chemistry.
Give the pool a full clean before hopping in for the first swim of the season.

Get Ready for Hassle-Free Pool Maintenance

Winterizing your pool in New Zealand doesn’t require as much work as in colder climates, but doing it properly will help you avoid dirty water, algae problems, and costly equipment repairs. By following these simple steps and using local suppliers for pool care products, you can enjoy a hassle-free transition back to summer swimming!

Do you have any winter pool maintenance tips? Share them in the comments below!