The four seasonal phases
Each phase has a distinct dosing and filtration profile:
- Spring (Sep–Oct): open, balance water, ramp filtration to 8 h/day
- Peak summer (Nov–Mar): 8–10 h filtration, weekly chemical check, watch for January algae bloom
- Autumn (Apr–May): reduce to 6 h filtration, drop stabiliser, prep for close or winter-mode
- Winter (Jun–Aug): 3–4 h filtration on minimum dosing, or full close-down with a cover
Why January is its own peak
Schools go back, the festive heat continues, owners drop weekly attention while life resumes. Result: a measurable bloom of green-pool recovery calls in mid–late January every year. The fix is to lock in the maintenance routine from 5 January regardless of how busy the diary gets.
Should you close down for winter?
In Cape Town and Durban: rarely. Mild winters mean continuous reduced filtration is cheaper and cleaner. In Joburg and Pretoria with morning frost: closing saves R600–R1,200 in winter electricity and protects exposed pipework. Use a quality cover and a stabiliser/algaecide pre-treatment.
Spring open is when most owners get burned
A pool that was 'left to its own devices' from June to September almost always opens green. Recovery costs R3,000–R7,500 in chemicals and time. The cheap insurance is a R4,000 winter cover plus a 2 h/day filtration cycle from June through August.