Pool Opening Checklist: Getting Your Pool Ready for a Cape Town Summer

Winter in the Western Cape is hard on pools. Leaves, rain and months of low pump time leave the water dull, unbalanced and sometimes green. Before the first hot weekend arrives, give the pool a proper opening routine so it stays clear all summer.

1. Clear the debris first

• Scoop out leaves with a leaf net before they sink and start staining the floor.
• Empty the skimmer basket and the pump basket.
• Brush the walls, steps and waterline to loosen any algae that started over winter.

2. Check the water level and equipment

The water should sit roughly halfway up the skimmer opening. Too low and the pump can suck air; too high and the skimmer won't work. Check the pump for leaks, make sure the lid seals properly and backwash and rinse the filter according to your filter's instructions.

3. Test, then balance

Use a test kit or strips and adjust in this order:

1. Total alkalinity: aim for about 80–120 ppm. It stabilises pH.
2. pH: keep it between 7.2 and 7.6. Chlorine works poorly when pH runs high.
3. Chlorine: aim for a free chlorine level of about 1–3 ppm for normal swimming.

If the water is cloudy or slightly green, shock-dose with a granular chlorine such as HTH Granular Chlorine, following the dosage on the pack for your pool's volume. Dose in the evening, because sunlight breaks chlorine down quickly.

4. Run the pump properly

In summer, most residential pools need the pump running about 6–8 hours a day so all the water passes through the filter. After shock-dosing, run it longer until the water clears.

5. Settle into a weekly rhythm

• Test pH and chlorine once a week, more often after heavy use or rain.
• Skim, empty baskets and brush the walls.
• Top up chlorine little and often rather than in big, irregular doses.

Stock up

We stock MAXCHLOR GOLD Chlorine, HTH Granular Chlorine and Salvatex Household Gloves for safe handling. Order from maxproducts.co.za and have it delivered in Cape Town.

🛒 Shop this article

Products mentioned in this guide

Available now from our sister company Max Products at maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes and delivered in Cape Town.

MAXCHLOR GOLD ChlorineShop now →HTH Granular ChlorineShop now →Salvatex Household GlovesShop now →

Visit maxproducts.co.za →