Blog posts - Tuggerah Pools

winterising a pool means less maintenance

What is ‘winterising a pool’ and is it worth doing?

by ccwebsites
Mar 14, 2022
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Most pools have a peak season when they get everyday use or close to it. But even in tropical Queensland, where summer lasts for about nine months of the year, pools don’t get swum in throughout the whole year. While pools are a higher maintenance job during summer, there are a few important steps to take to keep your pool clean and the water balanced during winter, too – and they’ll save you time and money when summer returns, too. These steps are called winterising a pool, and in this article, we’ll explain what it is and why it’s worth doing.

What is ‘winterising a pool’?

Winterising a pool is a process whereby you reduce chlorine levels and filtration in your pool and put a cover on during the winter months when it’s not being used frequently. This doesn’t necessarily mean winterising is a ‘one-and-done’ operation, though.

Reducing chlorination and filtration means the water balance can easily be thrown out, and this can lead to the dreaded ‘green pool’ when algae spreads throughout the pool and renders it unhealthy to swim in. For this reason, the savviest pool owners include testing the water every few weeks during winter to their pool winterising process.

Why you should winterise your pool

Winterising a pool is worth doing for a number of reasons.

1. You’ll save money on energy bills

By reducing filtration throughout winter, you’ll save money on power bills.

2. You’ll save time on maintenance when summer returns

Debris can provide a breeding ground for algae and stain your pool, so keeping it out with a pool cover makes a lot of sense.

By protecting your pool from debris like sticks and leaves that may otherwise end up in the pool when it’s raining or windy, you’ll save time and money on maintenance during both winter and summer.

3. You’ll protect your pool equipment

Pool equipment that has been off for months sometimes seizes when turned back on and requires repairing or replacement. Leaving your filter on a low setting allows it to aid in cleaning and filtration during winter, and could save you hundreds of dollars!

Lower costs, less risk of equipment damage, and a cleaner, healthier pool all year round – if you ask us (or any pool technician), winterising a pool is absolutely worth it!

How to remove pool stains

by ccwebsites
Feb 08, 2022
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At this time of year, when summer is in full swing, our pools are exposed to the elements more than ever. The cover’s off, people are swimming often, the temperature is high, and stormy weather means debris and stray metal objects frequently end up in the pool. All these factors increase the risk of pool stains, and the longer you leave them, the harder they are to get rid of. It’s up to you as owner to treat them quickly and thoroughly and preserve the sparkling-clean appearance of your pool. Our team has prepared this handy guide on how to remove pool stains to help you do that!

What causes pool stains?

Firstly, let us put your mind at ease – pool stains are not a reflection on your maintenance skills! Even the most diligently-maintained pools can acquire stains.

Now we’ve established a blame-free environment, let’s talk about what causes pool stains. Pool stains occur when debris or rusting equipment causes stubborn marks to form on the pool’s walls or floor.

There are two types of pool stains: organic and metal. Each requires a different type of treatment to remove. Organic stains come from natural matter like leaves, sticks, and dirt, and happen more often when certain types of foliage and plants are close to the pool. These stains usually have a green-brown, red-blue, or blue-green-black colour.

Metal pool stains come from metal objects that are left in the pool and rust, such as pool cleaning equipment, jewellery, or even corroding metal pipes in your water system. Metal stains usually have a green-brown-red or brown-black-purple colour.

Thankfully, almost all stains can be removed if you correctly identify the cause of the stain, use the right pool stain remover and follow the right process.

How to remove pool stains

Removing organic stains

When it comes to removing stains from your pool, chlorine is king. But you’ll need to ‘shock’ your pool, i.e. dramatically increase the chlorine balance above standard level, to combat the stains. So you’ll need to buy a shock treatment. You’ll find one at any pool store, or you can order from us to have it delivered.

Start by testing and balancing the water, then use a shock treatment according to the package instructions. We recommend doing the shock treatment at night. Then, brush the pool walls and floor, run the pump overnight, and brush again. Most stains will be a distant memory when you’ve finished!

Removing metal stains

While metal stains are harder to remove than organic ones, they can be removed with the right strategy.

First, figure out what type of metal is present in your pool water. Some home test kits can test for the metals that most commonly cause stains, like manganese, iron or copper, but you’ll get the most accurate results if you take a sample into your local pool shop.

Once you know what kind of metal is responsible, choose the metal pool stain remover that targets it. Then, simply follow the package instructions.

Got pool stains to remove but no time to do it? That’s what we’re here for. Email or call us to book a service and we’ll send an experienced pool technician out to help.

The benefits of using a pool cover year-round in Australia

by ccwebsites
Feb 03, 2022
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Pools are a great asset for a home – but they can also be expensive and time-consuming to maintain. One of the simplest ways to cut costs and reduce your maintenance load is to invest in a pool cover. But while most people only use pool covers in winter to prevent evaporation while not using the pool frequently, using one all year offers a range of extra benefits.

Here’s why you should use a pool cover year-round.

1. Pool covers prevent evaporation and reduce water usage

With a climate like Australia’s, heat and sunshine often cause pool water to evaporate quickly. This is why pool covers are a popular accessory during the cooler months, when people use their pools less.

Particularly in times of drought or in regional areas where supply is limited, preventing evaporation and using as little water to refill your pool as possible come summer is key. But pool owners who also use a pool cover in summer, the hottest and sunniest season, see the greatest reduction in water usage.

Reducing water usage isn’t the only reason to use a pool cover in summer, though.

2. Pool covers keep debris and dirt out (so you don’t have to)

Summer isn’t just the hottest and sunniest season in Australia – it’s also among the stormiest. During tropical storms, storm and rain water often ends up in pools, bringing with it mounds of leaves and debris. The result is a whole lot of extra work for you as the owner: the chemical balance is thrown off, the water is dirty and there are leaves all over the bottom.

Eventually, this can lead to every pool owner’s nightmare: the dreaded green pool (where bacteria causes green algae to develop).

Use a pool cover all year to avoid annoying and time-consuming maintenance tasks after storms.

3. Pool covers retain heat

If you like to use your pool all year round, a pool cover could actually make your swims more enjoyable. Pool covers help the water to retain heat from the sunshine, so when you swim on a cool evening, the water’s ready for you with a little natural heating.

Less water, less work and warmer swims – the case for using a pool cover year-round is clear. If you want help finding the right one for your pool or getting it installed, get in touch to speak with one of our friendly pool and spa technicians.

Four pool fencing ideas to elevate your backyard

by ccwebsites
Dec 01, 2021
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When the pool is the main attraction, it’s easy to take the other elements of a great pool area for granted. But when it comes to overall look and function, the pool fencing has a huge impact. Not only is it a legal requirement – it’s also the first thing you see when you look at the pool, which is the first thing you see when you look at the yard. In this article, we’re going to explore four pool fencing ideas to give you inspiration for when you redesign your pool or get one installed for summer.

Pool fencing ideas

Glass pool fence

If your pool is the jewel of the yard, go for a fence that let’s its beauty shine through! Glass pool fencing is popular because it’s climb-proof, impact-resistant and durable, but doesn’t impede the view of your pool’s sparkling waters and striking, landscaped surrounds. While there may be some foggy mornings and limescale buildup, investing in a quality cleaning solution will ensure glass fencing stays low-maintenance while looking sleek and sophisticated.

Just be sure to choose tough, tempered glass for your pool fence and provide a glazing certificate to pass state compliance certification – low quality glass can crack and crumble in extreme weather.

Steel pole pool fence

Steel pole fencing is having a moment. It’s an up-and-coming trend in the pool landscaping world, and it’s easy to see why. Where straight, black steel poles used to be the only option, you can now get curved, shaped and coloured poles to spice up the design while maintaining a minimalist edge.

Laser-cut screen pool fence

Want a pool fence but not keen on something off the shelf? Customise your own with laser-cut screen fencing. A laser-cut screen fence is the perfect choice for those who want to create an entirely unique look for their pool area.

You can choose almost any design and have it printed to suit the requirements under the Australian Pool Safety standards.

Hardwood posts pool fence

If you prefer a more organic, earthy look, a hardwood post fence. Australian hardwoods like Jarrah, Beech and Ironbark make attractive and durable fencing materials that blend perfectly with the rest of your yard.

There’s a perfect pool fence out there for every home. If you’d like to discuss your options with an experienced pool technician, we are here to help. Contact us on our website and one of our friendly team members will be in touch!

Pool safety certificate requirements - signage

Getting a pool safety certificate

by ccwebsites
Nov 01, 2021
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Summer is here, and as the heat and humidity ramps up, it’s time to let our hair down and cool off in the pool. Before you do, it pays to ensure your pool is compliant with state regulations and safe for you and your loved ones to enjoy. The answer here is a pool safety certificate: a certificate of compliance for your pool which shows you’ve put the right measures in place and had an inspection to prove it. So what does your pool need to get a safety certificate? Here’s a run-down of the key ingredients for a safe and compliant swimming pool.

Pool safety certificate requirements – NSW

Safety requirements vary depending on when your pool was built or installed and what type of pool it is, but in this article we will provide a pool safety checklist that applies to pools built after 2010. Use this to get your pool compliant before you book an inspection so you only have to pay for it once.

Certificate of Registration on the NSW swimming pool registry

All pool owners are responsible for registering their pool on the state registry. This can be super quick and easy to do – you can usually pay a fee to your local council to have them do it for you.

Pool fence

Fencing is one of the most important elements of pool safety because it keeps people – and animals – who can’t swim unsupervised out of harm’s way. To qualify for a pool safety certificate, pool owners must:

Have a child-resistant fence that acts as a safety barrier between the pool and any other part of the property
Keep the gate closed at all times when not entering or exiting through it
Ensure that the fence is designed, built, installed and maintained to state and national standards

CPR / DRSABCD sign

Don’t forget the signage! To get a pool safety Certificate of Compliance, you’ll need to put up CPR signage to help guide people in case of an emergency situation. The sign outlines instructions with imagery for giving someone cardio-pulmonery resuscitation (CPR) in the event of a drowning incident.

You can buy CPR signage from your local pool shop or from community medical organisations like the Australian Red Cross or Royal Surf Life Saving. Make sure it’s up-to-date, in a clearly visible position and that you can read it from 3 metres away.

Here at Tuggerah Pools, we offer pool inspections for homes and businesses in Tuggerah, Wyong, Gosford and the Central Coast area, and we’d love to help you get ready for a safe summer of swimming! Contact us today to arrange a pool safety certificate inspection or a range of other maintenance services.

How to get a pool ready for summer

by ccwebsites
Sep 30, 2021
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In a country with a climate as lovely as Australia’s, pools rarely stay covered for longer than a couple of months during winter. When the temperature starts climbing above 20 degrees, we Aussies love nothing more than a hot, sunny Saturday in the pool. That’s why we recommend preparing your pool for summer as soon as spring rolls around. To help you get your pool balanced, safe and sparkling-clean, we’re sharing a simple, five-step process of how to get a pool ready for summer.

Getting your pool for summer: four steps

Step 1: Clean the pool and filter

Once you’ve taken the cover off, you may find that the water has taken on a green tinge. We’ll deal with that soon – for now, use your leaf catcher to skim leaves and debris out of the water. Then, open the pool filter and remove the leaves from the skimmer basket. It will need to be clear to ensure it won’t get clogged with debris once you turn it on in the next stage. If the walls have stains, brush them down.

[If the pool is green, give the walls a brush down and wait until all the algae has settled at the bottom. Add some chlorine or increase the production rate on your chlorinator and run the pump for 24 hours to kick off the algae removal process. Then continue to step 2.]

Related: Fixing a green pool

Step 2: Balance the water

Now it’s time to restore balance. To balance pool chemicals, test the water – either with a test strip or by taking a sample into your local pool shop – and add the amount of each chemical recommended on the label or by your pool technician. The aim is to balance the pH, free chlorine, calcium and alkalinity levels, as well as salt for salt water pools.

Step 3: Run the pool pump

Fill your pool up to the desired level if the water has fallen. Add the recommended dosage of chlorine and turn the pump on, leaving it to run for at least 24 hours. Continue to fish out leaves with your net whenever they show up and check and clear the filter and skimmer basket throughout.

Step 4: Monitor colour and chemical balance

Before you jump back in for a swim, monitor the chemical balance and water colour for a week or two. It may take a while for the water to clear and the chemicals to balance, especially if the pool was green.

Once the water is clear again, it’s time to finish preparing your pool for summer.

Step 5: Final vacuum and scrub

Get back out there with your cleaning tools and give the walls and floor a good scrub. Put the pool vacuum in for a thorough clean. Then, add the creepy crawly and your pool is ready to go.

Great work – you’ve officially finished preparing your pool for summer! Now, go and enjoy the first swim of the season.

Too time-poor for the above? You’re not alone. We help hundreds of Aussies get more out of their pool with pool maintenance services, and we’ll prepare your pool for summer quicker than you can say “crystal clear!”. Get in touch on our website and one of our friendly technicians will call back to arrange a booking.

Swimming workouts to help you get fit in your pool

by ccwebsites
Sep 01, 2021
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We think of our pools primarily as a great source of fun and relaxation, but pools have more to offer us than that. A pool in the backyard can also double as your very own gym – all you need is some good swimming workouts! Exercising in the pool achieves all the same outcomes as a workout on land – burning fat, building and toning muscles – but is far easier on your joints.

With millions of NSW residents riding out the next month in lockdown, we’re sharing these four swimming workouts you can do to keep fit from the comfort of your pool. Bring on summer!

Our 4 favourite swimming workouts

Pool noodle exercises

These exercises are great for toning and strengthening your core and shoulders. Repeat them about 20 times each or until you’re fatigued.

Rows: Place the pool noodle on the surface of the water in front of you, with the middle in front of your chest. With your hands outstretched diagonally, push down on the noodle until it reaches your feet, then with control, raise it back up slowly.
Crunches: Wrap the noodle backwards around your torso and hold it under your armpits. Keeping your legs straight, raise them up to your chest.

Weighted ball exercises

Add a weighted ball to your swimming workouts to improve balance, muscle tone and core strength.

Weighted ball balances: Hold the ball in front of you with an outstretched arm at chest level and lift up one leg. Balance in this position for 30 seconds then swap to the other leg and arm.
Ball circles: Hold the ball in both hands in front of you. Without moving your torso, pass the ball behind you into your other hand then bring it back around to the front again. Repeat 20 times or until fatigued.

Body-only pool exercises

You don’t need anything but your body for these exercises. Whether it’s cardio or strengthening and toning work you want to do, there are plenty of exercises to add to your swimming workouts!

Water jogging: This one’s as simple as they get! Raise your heart rate and burn fat by incorporating 30-second intervals of fast jogging on the spot in the pool. Turn this simple exercise into a HIIT workout by alternating it with 30 seconds of walking forward three steps and back three steps.
Arm circles: Stretch your arms straight out to your sides. As though drawing with your fingers, draw small circles with each hand while keeping your arms straight, moving clockwises from the shoulder joint. After 30 seconds, repeat in the anti-clockwise direction.

So, what are you waiting for? Incorporate swimming workouts into your routine to boost your fitness during spring for a summer of fun, sunshine and freedom!

If your pool needs some love after a long winter, we can get it back to its sparkling-clean best in no time. Get in touch on our website or call 0408 118 727 to arrange pool maintenance services.

Getting a pool? Five questions to ask your pool builder before hiring

by ccwebsites
Aug 02, 2021
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Getting a pool is a significant investment. Done properly, it can add value to your home and provide entertainment for decades. Done badly, it does the opposite – while costing you time and money on upkeep. So, when you’re getting a pool, it’s important to get it right the first time, and this means choosing the best pool builder for the job. But with a range of experience levels, specialities, suppliers and prices to compare among pool building companies, choosing isn’t easy! Here’s a checklist for the questions you should ask to ensure you get the most out of your investment in a pool.

1. How long has your business been operating for?

Start with some basic due diligence. Find out how long they’ve been in business for under their current name. The longer, the better: some pool companies will close up shop and reopen under a new name to avoid bad word-of-mouth or financial issues. So, a longer time means the business likely has a good reputation and a base of loyal customers.

2. How much can I customise the proposed design of the pool?

You will be looking at and swimming in this pool for years to come, so being able to customise a design could come in handy. Whether it’s the shape, the landscaping or the lights, ask your pool builder where they stand on customisation.

3. What kind of warranty comes with the pool?

Warranties are the very best way to protect your investment, and for something that’ll be in your yard for a decade plus, they’re crucial! Ask your pool builder about the warranty: how long it lasts, what the claim process is, and what exactly is covered under it.

4. Can I speak with past customers?

Most companies have testimonials available on their website these days, and many are reviewed on platforms like Trustpilot or Google. But some insights you can only get by speaking with the customer personally. What was it like to work with them? Did they communicate well, work efficiently, and deliver on their guarantees? If the company has made its customers happy, they should be happy to connect you with someone to talk about their experience.

5. What’s included in the quoted price and what isn’t?

There’s a lot involved with installing a pool, and it starts long before the actual pool is built. That’s why it’s important to find out if all this is included in the quote your pool builder gives you. Some things to check for are:

Site inspection. Visiting and evaluating the physical site of the pool is essential for the pool builder to get it right. Different soils, slopes, sewer and plumbing lines, and site access points are key factors that must be considered in planning the pool’s construction and installation, so be wary of pool builders who decline to perform a site inspection.
Preparing the site where the pool will go, including soil testing and ‘overburden’ – all earthworks required to make way for the pool.

Once your pool is finished and ready to use, take the best possible care of it with regular pool services! Enquire on our website and one of our friendly pool technicians will be in touch to arrange a package that suits you.

Contactless Delivery of Pool Chemicals on Central Coast

by ccwebsites
Jul 20, 2021
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Due to the current lockdown and pool shops being closed we are happy to announce our regular deliveries of pool chemicals to be contact-free and quick. Simply give us a call on 0408 118 727 and have a chat with our main pool technician to discuss your pool chemical needs. We will then arrange for contactless delivery asap.

How a pool water feature can add value to your home

by ccwebsites
Jul 08, 2021
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Ever been to a Japanese garden, relaxation spa or luxury pool complex and felt a sense of calm wash over you? Chances are the sound of running, trickling or cascading water had plenty to do with it. Water naturally invokes feelings of tranquility, peace and relaxation in us, which is why landscapers, architects and designers choose to include water features when designing these spaces. It’s also why many savvy pool owners choose to add a water feature to their pool.

Pool water features can set a good mood, create a focal point for socialising when you’re entertaining, and enhance your yard with striking visual effects you won’t get sick of.

In this article, we are looking at the ways that a water feature can enhance your home and improve your lifestyle.

Why install a pool water feature?

Set the mood

The sound of water has been proven to positively alter our mood. Aside from a calming and relaxing effect, being surrounded by these sounds can help to declutter the mind and improve focus. With the pressures of modern life so frequently getting us busy, stressed, and burnt out, a tranquil place at home can’t be undervalued!

Enhance your yard

Just like a meal, the better a pool looks, the more we want to dive in! Enhancing your pool with a water feature makes it a multi-sensory experience, with the sight and sound of cascading, rippling or bubbling water making it more memorable all-round. Add some lights and you can carry this effect throughout the night. Fountain-style water features look especially cool at night, so they’re perfect for the frequent entertainer’s pool.

Add value to your home

Properties with attractive, well-maintained backyards and pools achieve higher sales prices because they bring the ‘wow’ factor! Plus, pool water features instantly draw potential buyers in and make your place memorable for them on a day of multiple viewings.

Interested in adding value to your home with a water feature or pool lighting? We’re here to help! Get in touch to speak with a member of our team about pool area renovations today.