How to turn your pool from green to blue in six simple steps

Most pool maintenance technicians agree it’s best to keep the pool clean, and the pump running throughout winter.

After all, pools require fewer chemicals due to the cooler water, and it will mean less work when the time comes to get it prepared for summer enjoyment.

But some pool owners prefer to save money by turning off the pump and worrying about it in the spring.

A pool left alone over winter will collect fallen leaves, dust and debris, unless the pool has a blanket over it.

The colour of the water will also turn to a brownish-green and begin to resemble Shrek’s swamp. It’s not terribly inviting, and it’s certainly not advisable to submerge your body into the stagnant lagoon with who-knows-what growing in it!

But it is quite easy to do some makeover magic and turn this brackish soup into an inviting idyll.

To reduce the workload, it’s best to give yourself a few weeks to get the pool back in shape. A little bit of work each weekend allows each stage of the cleaning process to complete its cycle.

However, if you’re in a hurry, it’s possible to get a pool clean within a week.

How to turn your pool from green to blue in six simple steps

1. Remove leaves and debris

Start by emptying the skimmer basket and use a leaf scoop to remove the bulk of the collection of leaves and debris on the bottom and empty it into a wheelbarrow.

2. Clean the pump and filter

Now is time to clear out the pump by emptying the pump’s strainer basket. Switch the pump to backwash to clean the filter and run it until the water coming out is less sludgy and matches the colour of the water in the pool.

3. Vacuum the pool

Switch the pump to “waste” and do an initial vacuum to get rid of the bulk of residual debris from the bottom of the pool.

Remember, the whole time you are vacuuming to waste, water is draining out of the pool, so work quickly and efficiently and keep an eye on the water level, ensuring it does not go below the minimum depth.

4. Chlorinate the water

Shocking the pool with a heavy dose of chlorine is the quickest and most effective treatment, so it’s time to bring on the chemicals.

But first, ensure there are no frogs or turtles in the pool. If so, capture them with the leaf scoop and move them to a nearby pond or dam.

Dissolve chlorine by adding it to a bucket of water according to the directions and stirring with a stick. The amount to use depends on the size of your pool and the concentration of the chlorine.

Distribute the chlorine evenly over the pool surface. It’s best to chlorinate in the evening, as UV rays will burn off much of the chlorine.

Amazingly, the water turns tropical-paradise aqua within about two hours or so, but it’s not yet safe for swimming.’

5. Scoop and vacuum

Leave the pool for a week, and the water will turn cloudy as the chemicals start to break up the leaves and sediment. Some of it will float to the top and can be removed with the leaf scoop.

Now it’s time for the second vacuum of the season. Set the pump to waste and vacuum the pool thoroughly. Ensure the water is not draining into plants, trees or lawns as the chemicals will affect their growth.

Once you are happy with the amount of debris removed, fill the pool with fresh water, ensuring the level is sufficient and empty the skimmer basket.

6. Begin regular maintenance

The water still will not be perfect, so now is the time to start regularly using the pump. You can plug it in using a timer to ensure it runs for the correct length of time each day. Initially, frequent backwashes will be required to get the system and the pool water thoroughly clean.

Use a pool brush to remove any sediment attached to the sides and steps of the pool, then broadcast flocculent across the surface. Flocculent collects any debris suspended in the water, which then fall to the bottom and can be vacuumed. Add algaecide to inhibit any algae growth.

Once the water is in reasonable condition, you can utilise an automatic pool cleaner to clean the pool further.

Before swimming in the pool, take a water sample to your local pool shop to check it and conduct a pH test.

A low pH reading indicates acidity, while a high reading indicates alkalinity, and too much of either is not ideal. The technicians will advise if anything needs to be added to the water to make it perfect for bathing.

Now the hard work is done, slap on some waterproof sunscreen, blow up that huge inflatable swan, and settle back and unwind.