Do you have a swimming pool or hot tub? This quick and easy guide shows you the steps to protecting your investment over the winter months and ensuring you can be ready to open it again in spring with a minimum of fuss, effort and cost. Never suffer from a green, algae-ridden pool again!

1. How to maintain a swimming
pool over winter
A quick no-nonsense guide
http://www.aspectspools.co.uk

2. 1. Chemical Balance
• Balance the water pH between 7.2 – 7.6
– Use testing strips (cheap and easy)
• “Shock” treat the water
– Raise chlorine/sanitiser to higher levels for a short
period – 20 parts per million
– N.B. this is NOT a safe level for swimming
– Remove the nitrates and organic residue this will
leave (usually at the pool bottom)

3. 2. Clean, clean, clean!
• Brush the walls
– Remove any residue or build-up on the pool walls
• Vacuum the pool
– Pool “robots” make life easier!
Time spent in cleaning the pool will pay off
when it comes to re-opening it in spring.

4. 3. Algaecide
• Add an algaecide
– Acts differently to Chlorine to effectively kill algae
– Reduces and inhibits algae growth
– Makes chlorination work more efficiently – saving
you money and using less chemicals
No algaecide = green pool in the spring!

5. 4. Mechanical Drainage
• Drain down the pool
– Reduce water levels to 6 inches below the
skimmer – this reduces water freezing risks
Backwashing the sand filter to “waste” is a
hassle-free way of doing this. Do not drop levels
lower than this – you can risk damaging the pool
liner or shifting the surround.

6. 5. Decommission
• Turn off electrical equipment
– Switch off or isolate electrical sources
• Drain the pipework
– Protects against frost
– Drain the pump, filter, heater and all exposed
pipework
– Useful tip: Keep the “O-rings” in a jar or zip-lock
bag to prevent perishing.

7. 6. Lastly . . .
• Remove any equipment
– Keep ladders, boards, slides safely stored and out
of the way of the weather
• Cover the pool
– Check the cover isn’t damaged
– Make sure it’s fixed on securely (stormy winds and
child safety)

8. Pool covers
– Reduce leaf litter and biological debris: less
growth media for bacteria and algae
– Cuts down light for algae build-up
– Reduce evaporation and mineral build-up:
maintains water balance
– Long-lasting if looked after well: consider using a
reel to look after large covers
Check for damage! They do wear out

9. Measuring a pool cover:
– Depends on pool shape: measure largest
“rectangle” and add in additional areas

10. Choose material and fixings
– A cover is only as good as how it’s secured . . . The
UK has experienced sever winter storms recently
– Anti-chafing straps will stop damage
– Ensure nothing (or no-one) can crawl underneath
Safety first! Even safety covers are not designed
to be walked on. Always ensure children and
animals are supervised, even near a covered
pool.

11. We hope you found this guide useful
Aspects Pools has over 30 years of experience in the
domestic and commercial pool trade. In addition to
pool installations we sell:
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Pool chemicals and shock treatments
Automatic and manual pool cleaning equipment
Swimming pool and winter debris pool & spa covers
Spare and replacement pool plumbing equipment and tools
Please visit our website and blog at http://www.aspectspools.co.uk for more
useful information