Winter Pool Maintenance Checklist: Say Goodbye to Stains this Off-Seas

Just because your pool isn’t getting daily laps doesn’t mean it should turn into a spotted petri dish. Winter is perfect for showing your pool some love, especially when preventing odd stains and nasty calcium build-up. A little effort now means you won’t be scrubbing mysterious brown marks or battling metal stains when summer rolls around. Your future self, warm, relaxed, and floating on an inflatable flamingo, will thank you.

Here’s your stain-busting winter pool maintenance checklist — with expert tips and must-have products to keep your pool surfaces spotless.

1. Check and balance water chemistry (your first defence against stains)

Stains love unbalanced water. If your pH is off or the calcium level is creeping up, you could end up with:

- Brown or black metal stains
- Rust spots from oxidised iron or copper
- Scale build-up along the waterline
- Dull, cloudy water

Check your pool every 2–4 weeks and aim for:

- pH: 7.2–7.6
- Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm
- Sanitiser: As per your system
2. Run your equipment (even when you would rather be hibernating)

Run your pump for at least 4–6 hours a day. Good circulation prevents metals from settling and keeps chemicals evenly distributed. It also helps avoid dead spots where stains love to set up camp. If you are unsure on what you need to do, let us service your pool for you.

3. Tackle stains head-on with the right products

Winter is the perfect time to treat existing stains before they become permanent residents.

Our top stain-fighting heroes:

- Focus Stain Remover – Perfect for treating copper, iron, or manganese stains.
- Lo-Chlor Multi Stain Remover – Ideal for fibreglass and vinyl-lined pools.
- Lo-Chlor Metal Solution – Locks metals in solution to prevent future staining.
- Focus Aquashield 3 – Winter’s MVP. Keeps calcium and metals in solution, preventing build-up on pool surfaces and salt cells.

4. Clean regularly (don’t let debris become a stain starter)

Leaves, dirt, and debris left to soak can break down and leave tannin stains or feed algae. Skim weekly, brush the walls, and vacuum as needed. If you use a cover, lift it occasionally to check for trapped nasties.

5. Use a phosphate remover

Phosphates = algae food. Algae = stains. You get the picture. Use a monthly phosphate remover to starve algae before it even thinks about blooming.

6. Check water levels & inspect equipment

A dropping water level can expose surfaces to staining and scaling. Keep the skimmer box levels up midway, and check your filter, chlorinator, and other gear for leaks or wear.

Do you need tailored stain treatment advice?

Our expert team is ready to help you remove stains and keep your pool crystal clear all winter long.