How to Get Your Pool Ready for a Brisbane Summer
Brisbane summers are hot, humid and stormy — perfect for swimming, and perfect for algae. A pool that coasted through winter on short pump runs and little chlorine can turn green within days once the water warms up. A bit of work in spring saves a lot of work (and money) in January.
1. Clean out the winter debris
Empty the skimmer and pump baskets, scoop leaves off the surface and floor, and brush the walls, steps and waterline. Leaves left sitting on the floor stain the surface and use up chlorine as they break down.
2. Give the filter a proper clean
Backwash a sand or glass media filter (see how to do a backwash) or hose down cartridge filters (see how to clean filter cartridges). A clean filter is what keeps the water clear once the swimming season starts.
3. Check the chlorinator cell
Salt chlorinator cells build up white calcium scale, especially in hard water. A scaled cell makes far less chlorine. Inspect it and clean it if needed — our guide on checking and cleaning cells walks you through it. Cells wear out over time; if yours is several years old and struggling to hold chlorine, it may be due for replacement.
4. Increase pump and chlorinator running time
Warm water and heavy use need more filtration and more chlorine. Most pools need noticeably longer daily running times in summer than in winter. If your chlorine keeps dropping, increase the hours or the chlorinator output a little at a time.
5. Test and balance the water
Get a full water test and correct the balance before you shock or top up chemicals. As a general guide most pools aim for:
- pH around 7.2–7.6
- Total alkalinity around 80–120 ppm
- Free chlorine within your pool's recommended range
- Stabiliser (cyanuric acid) to protect chlorine from the summer sun
- Salt at the level your chlorinator's manufacturer recommends
Not sure where yours sits? Bring a water sample into our shop at 304-306 Junction Rd, Clayfield and we'll test it and tell you exactly what to add.
6. Watch the water level
Summer evaporation and storms both change the water level. Too low and the skimmer sucks air, which can damage the pump; too high after rain and the skimmer can't skim. Read why you must check your water levels and what to do after it rains.
Want it done for you?
If you'd rather spend summer in the pool than working on it, our technicians can do a one-off spring service or look after it all summer on a regular schedule. Already green? See our green pool clean-up service.