The short answer
Maintaining a prefab pool means a weekly pH and chlorine check, emptying the skimmer baskets, backwashing the filter when pressure rises, and two seasonal jobs: opening in spring and closing in autumn. The pool is not emptied in winter.
Every week
- Test pH and chlorine with a simple kit.
- Empty the skimmer and pre-filter baskets.
- Check the pressure on the filter gauge.
- Let the robot clean the floor or run the vacuum.
With automatic dosing, the check comes down to a glance at the readings.
pH and chlorine
pH should be roughly 7.2 to 7.6. There chlorine works properly, the water does not sting the eyes and the membrane does not wear. Free chlorine is kept at low, steady levels. Too much chlorine does not make the water «cleaner», it just fades the membrane and irritates the skin.
Filter
When the gauge pressure rises noticeably above normal, backwash: water runs backwards through the filter and carries the dirt away. Sand or glass is replaced every few years.
Closing in autumn
A membrane pool is not emptied in winter. The water supports the membrane and walls.
- Clean the pool thoroughly and balance pH and chlorine.
- Lower the level below the skimmers and inlets.
- Drain exposed pipework and the pump, especially in frosty areas.
- Add winterising chemical and fit the winter cover.
Opening in spring
Remove the cover, clean, raise the level, check the equipment and balance the water. If the water is green, do not panic: shock chlorination and a few days of filtering clear it. If you like, we do the opening and closing for you.
From our experienceThe most common mistake we see is adding more chlorine when the water goes cloudy, without testing pH first. Test first, then correct.
