DIY Pool Care Tips To Save Money

Keeping your pool clean and running well doesn’t have to cost a fortune. A bit of regular maintenance and some smart choices can save you heaps in the long run. Here’s how to look after your pool without blowing the budget.

Keep Your Pool Chemistry in Check

If you stay on top of your pool’s chemical balance, you’ll save money on expensive fixes later. Testing your water regularly (at least once a week in summer) stops you from having to shock the pool or deal with nasty algae outbreaks.

Here’s what to do:

Grab a test kit or test strips from a local store like Bunnings NZ or Mitre 10 and check the pH, chlorine, and alkalinity levels regularly.
Keep your pH level between 7.2 and 7.6 – too high, and chlorine won’t work as well; too low, and it might corrode your pool equipment.

By fixing small water issues early, you avoid dumping in tons of expensive chemicals later.

Use Household Items Instead of Expensive Pool Chemicals

Some pool store products cost a fortune when cheaper alternatives do the same job. Here are a few hacks to save you cash:

Baking soda can help balance alkalinity instead of buying expensive alkalinity increasers.
White vinegar works for scrubbing calcium deposits off tiles.
A cheap pool cover (even a solar blanket from Para Rubber or The Warehouse) keeps leaves out and prevents water evaporation, cutting down on chemical use.

Run the Pump Smarter

Your pump doesn’t need to run 24/7. In summer, 6 to 8 hours a day is enough, and in winter, you can dial it back to 4 hours. Running it during off-peak hours can also save on power costs if you’re on a variable rate with your electricity provider.

Some Kiwi stores, like Pool & Spa Warehouse NZ, sell energy-efficient pumps that use less power while still keeping water circulating properly.

Clean the Pool Yourself

Sure, it’s tempting to hire someone to do the vacuuming and skimming, but doing it yourself is simple and keeps things in check before problems start.

Brush the sides of the pool weekly to stop algae from sticking.
Vacuum the bottom to remove dirt and debris. If you don’t want to buy an expensive robotic cleaner, manual vacuums or cheaper alternatives at Bunnings do the job.
Empty skimmer baskets every few days – the longer leaves and debris sit there, the harder your pump has to work.

The more regularly you clean, the less you’ll need to rely on costly treatments.

Watch for Leaks

Even a small leak can add a noticeable bump to your water bill. To check for leaks:

Fill a bucket with pool water and mark the water level inside the bucket. Place it on a pool step and mark the pool water level outside the bucket.
Wait 24 hours – if your pool loses more water than the bucket, you’ve got a leak.

If you catch it early, you can patch small leaks yourself using waterproof sealants from Mitre 10 before they turn into major repairs.

Use the Right Amount of Water

Topping up your pool all the time wastes water and chemicals. A few ways to keep it from evaporating too fast:

Use a solar pool cover – it stops 90% of evaporation and keeps the water warmer.
Keep your water level in check – too high, and you’ll lose more when people splash around.
Avoid hosing down decks near the pool. Instead, use a broom to sweep up leaves and dirt.

All these little tweaks add up to noticeable savings.

Last Thoughts

Owning a pool in New Zealand doesn’t have to be pricey if you’re smart about maintenance. Stay on top of the basics, clean regularly, and use cost-effective alternatives whenever possible. The more effort you put in now, the less you’ll need to spend on expensive fixes down the track.