Going Away for Christmas? How to Leave Your Pool

Every January we get calls from people who came home from holidays to a green pool. It's not hard to see why. Brisbane in December and January means heat, long sunny days and afternoon storms, and that combination eats chlorine fast. A pool that looked fine when you locked the front door can turn in a few days if nothing is looking after it. A bit of preparation before you go makes a big difference.

Why pools go green while you're away

Algae needs three things: warm water, sunlight and not enough chlorine. A summer holiday gives it all three. The sun breaks chlorine down, storms wash leaves, dirt and garden debris into the water, and heavy rain can dilute the chemicals and push the pH around. If the skimmer basket fills up or the filter clogs, the water stops circulating properly and the chlorine can't reach every corner. Once algae gets a start in warm water it spreads quickly.

A week or two before you go

• Get the water tested and balanced. Chlorine, pH, alkalinity and stabiliser all need to be in range before you leave. Stabiliser matters most in summer because it protects chlorine from the sun. Our article on why pool chlorine disappears in summer explains why.
• Clean the filter. Backwash a media filter or hose out the cartridge so it starts the break with as much flow as possible. See how to clean filter cartridges.
• Check the chlorinator cell. A scaled-up cell makes less chlorine. Clean it if it needs it and check the salt level.
• Fix anything that's playing up. A pump that loses prime, a leaking fitting or a cleaner that keeps getting stuck won't fix itself while you're away.

Setting the equipment before you leave

• Run the pump long enough. Summer usually needs longer running hours than winter. Make sure the timer is set and working.
• Lift the chlorinator output a little. A modest increase helps cover the extra sun and any storms, as a general guide. Your chlorinator's manual will have its own recommendations.
• Top up the water. Fill to the middle of the skimmer opening. Evaporation adds up over a couple of hot weeks, and if the level drops below the skimmer the pump can run dry. Read why you must check your water levels.
• Empty the baskets and give the pool a good vacuum and brush so it starts clean.
• Put the cover on if you have one. It cuts down on leaves, evaporation and chlorine loss.

Have someone check it while you're away

For anything longer than about a week, it's worth having someone look at the pool. Even a neighbour emptying the skimmer basket after a storm helps. Ask them to keep an eye on the water level, empty the baskets and let you know if the water starts to look cloudy or green, rather than adding chemicals they're not sure about.

If you'd rather it was handled properly, our one-time service is made for this. A technician tests and balances the water, cleans the baskets, filter and cell, vacuums and brushes, adjusts the chlorinator output and running time, and checks the pump, filter and cleaner. If you're on a regular service, just let us know your dates so nothing is missed.

When you get home

• Empty the baskets and check the water level first.
• Test the water before anyone swims.
• If storms came through, see what to do to your pool after it rains.
• Turn the chlorinator back to its normal setting once the chlorine is back in range.

If the pool has turned green while you were away, don't panic. It can be brought back. Our green pool clean-up service will get the blue back.

Going away soon? Book a one-time service before you leave, call (07) 3857 8530, or bring a water sample into our shop at 304-306 Junction Rd, Clayfield and we'll test it and tell you what the pool needs before you go.