Living in Far North Queensland means our pools work harder than almost anywhere else in Australia. Between the blistering 30°C+ summer days and the sudden tropical downpours, a “set and forget” approach simply doesn’t work here.
To keep your water sparkling and your equipment lasting for years, you need a routine tailored to the tropics. At Allan’s Pool Shop, we’ve refined the perfect maintenance schedule to help you stay ahead of the algae.
Daily: The 2-Minute Check
Weekly: The Consistency Phase
- Test pH and Chlorine: The intense FNQ sun eats “unstabilized” chlorine in hours. Ensure your pH is between 7.2 and 7.6. If the pH is out of balance, your chlorine won’t kill bacteria effectively.
- Check Water Levels: In the dry season, evaporation is high. In the wet season, your pool might be overflowing. Keep the water level one inch from the top of your skimmer box opening.
- Brush the Walls: Even if the pool looks clean, brushing helps dislodge “invisible” algae spores before they take root in the grout or liners.
Fortnightly: Filter Health
- Backwash or Clean Cartridge: Your filter is the “kidneys” of your pool. If you have a sand filter, backwash it. If you have a cartridge filter, take it out and give it a thorough hose-down.
- Check Salt/Mineral Levels: If you have a salt chlorinator, ensure the levels are optimal. If the salt is too low, the cell can’t produce chlorine, and you’ll find yourself with a green pool despite the pump running.
Monthly: The Professional Deep-Dive
- Professional Water Analysis: Home test kits are great for a quick check, but they often miss things like Calcium Hardness, Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer), and Phosphates. * The Allan’s Advantage: Every month, bring a water sample into our Manunda or Edmonton shops. Our computerized testing provides a precision roadmap of exactly what your pool needs, saving you money on “guesswork” chemicals.
Quarterly & Annually: Equipment Longevity
- Clean the Chlorinator Cell: Calcium buildup on the electrodes will stop chlorine production. Check the cell for white, flaky deposits and clean it with a dedicated cell cleaner.
- O-Ring Lubrication: The Cairns humidity can perish rubber seals. Every few months, lubricate your pump lid O-ring to ensure an airtight seal.
Too Busy to Keep the Schedule?
We get it—life in Cairns is busy. Whether you’re heading out to the reef for the weekend or just want to reclaim your Saturday mornings, Allan’s Pool Shop can do the heavy lifting for you.
We offer Regular Mobile Pool Servicing from Gordonvale to Port Douglas. Our expert technicians will handle the testing, cleaning, and equipment checks, so all you have to do is jump in.
[Click Here to Book a Regular Pool Service] or visit us at Manunda or Edmonton to chat with our team!
