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Autumn pool care checklist

Shorter days and cooler weather may signal the arrival of autumn, but that doesn’t mean pool maintenance is over for the year. It’s not quite time to winterise, but your pool could probably do with a little TLC after a busy summer.

Autumn can be mild in parts of Australia and New Zealand — so there’s life in the swimming season yet — but performing a few simple checks now may save on costly repairs down the track. Use this checklist as a guide to keep everything on track as the seasons change.

Clean

It’s obvious, but you can expect to see increased leaf litter and debris in autumn, so get ready to scoop or adjust cleaner settings to suit the load. Give the pool a scrub including interiors, tiles, decking and surrounds.

Check and empty the filter

You want everything operational as leaf drop increases. Make sure you’ve emptied the filter and inspected it to ensure it’s running efficiently.

Water balance

Keep an eye on pH levels, as variations will reduce the efficacy of chemicals and lead to problems. If water chemistry isn’t your thing, take a water sample to your local pool shop for testing and expert advice.

Adjust heating

Depending on your location, you can probably squeeze a few more weeks out of the season, particularly if your pool is heated. Check settings and adjust to compensate for chillier days and nights.

Cover up

If you want to get ahead on winter prep, head to the www.poolspalife.com.au website and search ‘winter’ for everything you need to know. Your pool is a major investment, so it’s important to take the time to protect it. If life gets in the way, speak to a SPASA member who can help ensure everything stays in tip-top condition, no matter what season.

Using a pool blanket or cover will minimise heat loss and evaporation, while helping keep debris out.

Monitor

If you aren’t swimming every day, changes and problems can go unnoticed. Keep an eye on water and chlorine levels and remember to check and empty the skimmer basket. Take advantage of lower usage to inspect for more serious issues like leaks or tile damage.