As the weather warms up, a little preparation gets your pool swim-ready and avoids the dreaded green surprise on the first hot weekend. Here is how to open up for the season.

The summer start-up checklist

• Remove and clean the cover: dry it before storing so it lasts longer.
• Skim, brush, and vacuum: clear the debris that built up over winter.
• Check equipment: run the pump and filter and listen for anything unusual.
• Balance the water: test and correct pH, alkalinity, and sanitiser.
• Clean or backwash the filter: so it can handle the busy season ahead.

Give it time

Start a week or two before you actually want to swim. Water that has sat all winter often needs a shock dose and a day or two of running to come fully clear.

Set a schedule

Once it is open, a regular servicing plan keeps it clear all summer with far less effort than fixing problems after they appear.

Sydney winters are mild, so pools here do not need the full shut-down that colder climates require. But a little winter care saves money and makes spring start-up far easier.

Should you close it fully?

Most Sydney owners keep the pool ticking over rather than closing it completely. A pool left totally idle over winter is the one most likely to turn green by spring.

Winter care checklist

• Balance the water before the cooler months set in.
• Reduce pump run time to match the lower demand and save power.
• Use a cover to keep leaves out and cut evaporation.
• Keep testing occasionally — algae can still grow on a warm winter day.

Easier spring

A pool that is maintained lightly through winter opens up clean and clear in spring, with no costly recovery. A reduced winter servicing plan keeps it healthy for very little effort.