Keeping Your Pool in Top Shape Without the Hassle

Owning a pool in New Zealand is amazing—until you realise it actually takes a bit of effort to keep it clean and safe. But don’t stress. Once you get into a routine, pool maintenance isn’t hard, and it definitely beats dealing with green water or dodgy chemical levels.

Here’s what matters: a solid, easy-to-follow schedule. Stick to it, and your pool will stay sparkling with minimal effort.

Daily: Quick Checks Keep You Ahead

You don’t need to do much every day, but a couple of small tasks will stop bigger headaches later.

1. Skim the surface – Leaves, insects, and random bits of debris? Scoop them out before they sink and cause trouble. A simple pool skimmer like this one from 4 Seasons Home & Leisure will do the job.
2. Empty the skimmer basket – If it’s full, the filter won’t work properly. A 30-second job that makes a big difference.
3. Keep an eye on the water level – In summer, water evaporates fast. Too low? Your pump might suck in air. Too high? Your skimmer won’t work properly. Adjust as needed with a hose or drain excess with your pump.

Weekly: The Real Maintenance Work

This is where you prevent your pool from turning into a science experiment.

1. Test and balance the water – Use a simple test kit from Bunnings New Zealand or a digital meter to check:

   • pH levels (ideal range: 7.2 – 7.6)
   • Chlorine (if you use it)
   • Alkalinity (keeps pH stable)
   • Calcium hardness (especially important for concrete pools)
   • Adjust chemicals based on your readings. If you’re unsure, many local pool shops, like Swimart NZ, can test your water for free.

2. Brush and vacuum the pool – Algae loves to grip onto walls and corners. Give them a weekly scrub with a pool brush, then vacuum up whatever settles at the bottom. A robotic pool cleaner from Pool & Spa Warehouse can save you time.

3. Shock the pool (if needed) – If your water looks cloudy or a lot of people have been using the pool, throw in a pool shock treatment to kill bacteria and algae. This isn’t something you need every week, but it’s good to do if the water quality drops.

Fortnightly: The Deep Clean

Some things don’t need attention every week, but you still can’t ignore them.

1. Clean the filter – Whether you have a sand filter, cartridge filter, or a DE filter, it gets clogged over time. Backwash (for sand filters) or rinse off debris (for cartridge filters). Check the pressure gauge—if it’s high, it’s definitely time to clean.

2. Inspect the pump and equipment – Just have a quick look to make sure everything’s running smoothly. Strange noises, leaks, or weak water flow? Might be time to check with a local expert like The Pool Man NZ.

Monthly: Keeping Things Running Smoothly

1. Check chemical storage – Properly stored pool chemicals last longer and work better. Keep them in a cool, dry place, sealed tightly.

2. Remove calcium build-up – If you see scale on tiles or waterline, a bit of scrubbing with a dedicated pool tile cleaner should fix it.

3. Check salt levels (for saltwater pools) – If you run a saltwater system, top up salt levels and check the chlorinator cells for build-up.

Seasonal: Prepping for Changes

Summer: The Busy Season

• Check chemicals more often during heavy use.
• Run the pump longer (8-12 hours a day).
• Keep sunscreen, sweat, and other stuff from messing with water quality—shower before swimming.

Winter: Stop It From Turning Green

• Reduce pump running time, but don’t turn it off completely.
• Use a pool cover to reduce debris and evaporation.
• Keep testing and adding chemicals, even if you’re not swimming.

Final Thought: A Clean Pool Is an Easy Pool

If you stay on top of things, nothing builds up, and pool maintenance stays pretty simple. Miss a few weeks? That’s when problems start (hello, green swamp). Stick to this schedule, and your pool stays clear, ready to swim in whenever the sun’s out.

Need supplies or expert help? Check out Bunnings, Swimart NZ, or The Pool Man NZ to keep your pool in top shape.