How to get your pool summer-ready

As warm days get nearer, the urge to plunge into your backyard swimming pool becomes stronger and stronger. But before you go ahead and take a dip, you need to take the time to get your pool up to scratch. Here’s a list of tips to get your pool ready for an endless summer spent poolside with your family and friends.

Get it clean

A pool cleaner is essential, and the technology has come a long way. A good cleaner makes your pool safer by removing harmful debris, stopping bacteria and algae growth, and reducing the amount of chlorine your pool needs. The Aiper Experts Duo ($1,999) comes in two parts, combining an intelligent robot cleaner (the Scuba V3) with continuous surface skimming (the EcoSurfer S2), which together ensure top-to-bottom 360° coverage of your pool.

Top it up

If the water level in your pool has dropped over the last few months, fill it up until the water level reaches the halfway point of the skimmer opening. Council permission may be required for pools that require 2000 litres or more of water. Leave the pool for a day, allowing the new and old water to combine.

Balancing act

Before you dive in, take the time to check the water is free of bacteria and algae. You can purchase test kits to check your pool water chemical balance. Here’s what you may need to check and correct: alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness, stabiliser level, algaecide, chlorine level and/or salt level. If you’re not familiar with this process, big Bunnings stores offer free water testing with an instant print out of your results – available at their Hy-Clor Water Testing Kiosks which you can find in the pool chemicals bay of the store.

Shock it

For long term pool owners, you’re likely familiar with the practice of ‘shock’ treatment. This simply means bringing the chlorine level of the pool higher than usual. This oxidises the algae, bacteria and skin cells that the chlorine has killed. To achieve this raised level, you can buy specialised oxidisers, products that continually ‘shock’ your pool for you, or granulated chlorine (not stabilised). Carefully read the instructions and ask your local hardware store for additional advice.

Lock it

Keep your family safe this summer and make sure that your pool fence is in tip top shape. First, check that the fence is still secure and that there is no significant weather damage. Replace locks and latches that have become unsecure and have rusted or disintegrated in the sun through the winter. Alternatively, you’d be surprised how easy it is to simply refresh your backyard with new fencing.

RELATED: How to create a pool paradise

Do some sprucing

Roll up your sleeves and take the time to tidy up your pool and surrounds. Here’s your checklist:

Clean the pool baskets
Wash out the filter
Scrub tile grout with baking sofa and a soft-bristle brush
Wash and/or sweep the surrounding deck, tiles or pavers
Rub decking back and re-coat, replacing any damaged planks
Trim back overhanging tree branches

Final checks

While you’re there, spare a moment to ensure your pool is safe and running smoothly. Here’s your checklist:

Prime the pump before starting up the motor
Check the filter system
Check strainer basket is in good working order
Ensure lights in and out of the pool are working
Check gate latch closes and is working as it should
Inspect fences are solid and working as they should
Ensure an updated CPR sign is displayed clearly

Since you’ve put in the hard yards to ensure your pool is pristine for the summer, it’s a great idea to keep up a simple maintenance schedule. Once a week or so clean the filter and at peak pool usage, check the water balance frequently.