How to Winterise Your Pool in New Zealand

When the swimming season winds down, it’s easy to forget about your pool — but that’s exactly when it needs your attention the most. Winterising your pool properly not only protects your equipment and water quality but also saves you time and money when summer rolls back around.

Here in New Zealand, we don’t usually drain or "close" pools for winter like they do overseas. Instead, winterising is all about maintaining water balance, preventing algae, and protecting your system from unnecessary wear.

Here’s how to get it right.

1. Give It a Good Clean

Start by removing all leaves, insects, and debris from the pool. Use a skimmer, vacuum the floor, and give the walls and waterline a good brush. A clean pool going into winter is far less likely to develop problems while it’s not being used.

🧽 Pro tip: Don’t forget to empty the skimmer basket and pump strainer.

2. Balance the Water

Before you stop swimming, make sure your pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness are all within recommended levels. Balanced water helps prevent staining, scaling, and corrosion of your pool surfaces and equipment.

📋 Need help? Poolcare offers in-store water testing at our Mt Maunganui location — fast and free with any chemical purchase.

3. Add a Long-Lasting Algaecide

Algae love cold, still water. By adding a winter algaecide (also called a long-life algaecide), you’ll help keep your water clear and reduce the risk of a green pool in spring.

Ask our team for the right product for your pool type — we stock proven algaecides for concrete, fibreglass, and vinyl pools.

4. Reduce Filtration Time

Your pool doesn’t need to be filtered as often during the colder months. Drop your filtration down to 2–4 hours a day, depending on pool usage and location.

💡 Consider setting a timer — and remember to keep checking for debris and clogging during autumn leaf fall.

5. Cover Up (If You Can)

A solar or thermal pool cover can help prevent debris and evaporation — and cut down on your chemical usage. If you don’t already have one, Poolcare can help you choose the right cover and fit it professionally.

Already got a cover? Make sure it’s clean, free from tears, and securely in place.

6. Keep an Eye on Water Levels

With rain and cooler temperatures, water levels can rise or drop. Aim to keep your pool halfway up the skimmer box. Too low, and you risk air getting into the pump. Too high, and it can flood the skimmer.

7. Consider a Winter Valet Service

Want to skip the hassle altogether? Poolcare offers one-off winter prep visits and ongoing winter valet services to keep your pool ticking over while you focus on other things.

What Not to Do

• ❌ Don’t drain your pool – it can damage the structure or liner

• ❌ Don’t ignore your pool all winter – you’ll pay for it in spring

• ❌ Don’t add too much chlorine – it can damage pool covers and equipment

Final Thoughts

Winterising your pool isn’t about shutting it down — it’s about protecting your investment through the colder months so you can dive back in with confidence come summer.

If you're not sure where to start or need help getting your pool winter-ready, give us a call or drop in and see us.

📍 Visit us at 54A Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui
📞 Call (07) 575 8471
🌐 www.poolcareltd.nz