The NewSplash Knowledge Base

In case you haven't noticed our swimming season is much longer.

Our warmer weather is keeping pool water temperatures above the long-term average for much of Autumn. The period of above average temperatures is even longer for heated pools.

This longer season is coupled, this year, with the extra use our pools have seen because we're locked up at home, as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. We have all used our pools much more than we would have in previous years.

As we move into the cooler months, we need to maintain water quality, and that takes a little more care after so much pool usage. Correctly preparing the pool for the end-of-swimming-season is the key to having a crystal clear, and healthy, pool when we start our new season in September.

The 'Cover, Set, and Forget' approach to winter pool care is wrong. Approaching winter that way can leave you with a very expensive 'fix' in September!

Here are the simple steps to follow to give you the best chance of a flying start to your next season in the pool:

A Crystal Clear Pool

• Remove The Pool Cover
  This is a great time to mix up a solution of detergent-based algaecide (at 10:1) and give the cover a scrub. This will remove any dirt and dust that has accumulated on the cover, and kill any bacteria present at the time, and inhibit from settling and growing.
• Remove Your Cleaner From The Pool
  Inspect your cleaner to find any parts that may need replacing. Doing that now will make opening the pool next Spring so much easier. Keep it out of the pool until you need it again.
• Remove And Empty All The Baskets
  That means remove, empty, and clean the skimmer and pump baskets. Once they're clean, replace them, or buy replacement baskets if you need them.


Chlorinator Electrodes With Heavy Deposits

• Clean Salt Chlorinator Electrodes
  Remove the electrodes, and soak them in a solution of a recommended cell cleaner. These are made from a blend of phosphoric acids that gently clean the cell. Avoid using hydrochloric acid and scrapers. Both these approaches will clean much faster, but either of these very severe methods causes irreversible damage to the delicate cell plating.
• Remove And Inspect The Vacuum Plate
  The vacuum plate in the skimmer needs to be inspected for cracks. If you find any, you'll need to replace that plate.
• Brush And Vacuum The Pool
  Give the entire pool a good scrub with a stiff pool broom, to release any deposits that may have formed on the surface. When this is complete, give the pool a very thorough vacuum clean.


The Most Modern Water Testing

• Have Your Water Tested And Balanced
  See Your Pool Professional as they :
  • Obtain and store the key information about your pool - for instance, they record the filtration equipment installed, and the chemicals being used.
  • Can professionally test and balance your pool water.
  • Can recommend the correct products for the right application.
  • Have the training and knowledge regarding what chemicals can (and can't) be used with each kind of filtration system, to help you avoid warranty issues, and,
  • Will recommend the correct sanitation output levels, and can help you adjust running times.
• Remember The Aim
  When maintaining correct water quality, aim to constantly hold the chlorine level at 3ppm (Parts Per Million). Be careful though, because some filtration systems require less chlorine. Always refer to the manufacturer's recommendations, or your pool professional, to find the correct recommendations on sanitation levels.

We hope this information has helped. Please visit Splash's Pools for the best advice, and the most up-to-date water analysis, using the world's latest equipment. Or see your local pool professional.

Relax - and Swim Happy!