DIY Plunge Pool Maintenance: Keeping Your Oasis in Tip-Top Shape

There’s nothing like stepping into your DIY plunge pool after a long day. You installed it, you love it, and it’s your little slice of paradise. Just like your lawn, your pool isn’t set and forget - otherwise, you’re asking for cloudy water, leaves everywhere, and your beautiful oasis looking more like a headache than a haven. The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way. With the right care, keeping your plunge pool in great shape isn’t just doable—it’s downright simple. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what you need to know to keep your pool sparkling, so you can spend less time maintaining it and more time enjoying it.

Why DIY Plunge Pool Maintenance Matters

Picture this: It’s a blistering summer arvo, and you’re all set to dive into your plunge pool. You step outside, towel slung over your shoulder, only to find murky water giving you the stink eye. Frustrating? Too right. Regular maintenance doesn’t just keep your pool looking schmick; it’s the secret to safer swimming, a longer-lasting investment, and stress-free weekends with friends and family.

Quick Tip: Think of plunge pool maintenance as your secret weapon—a few minutes each week will save you stacks of cash and give you plenty more time to kick back and enjoy.

Daily and Weekly Pool Maintenance Essentials

Keeping your plunge pool in tip-top shape doesn’t have to be a full-time gig. With a quick daily tidy-up and a no-fuss weekly schedule, you’ll be ahead of the game and swimming in crystal-clear water all year round.

• If needed, give the surface a quick skim with your pool scoop to clear out leaves —especially if your pool’s near gum trees that drop leaves year round.
• Keep your pool pump running 6-8 hours a day (adjust for the season) to circulate and filter the water.

• Empty your skimmer box basket: this stops leaves and debris from breaking down, giving bacteria and algae a buffet to feast upon. It also reduces the strain a clogged skimmer box basket places on your pool pump.
• Empty the pump basket: for exactly the same reason as emptying your skimmer box basket.
• Brush the walls and vacuum the floor: keeping the walls and floor clean prevents stains and the build-up of dirt which bacteria and algae love.
• Keep an eye on your water level: lots of rain will raise your water level, dilute the chemicals in your water and introduce phosphates. A low water level will make it hard for the pump to efficiently circulate the right amount of water each day. 
  
  

Quick Tip: Keep your water level around the halfway mark of your skimmer box opening as an easy reference.

Water Chemistry Basics: Balancing pH, Alkalinity, Stabiliser and Sanitiser Levels

To make sure your DIY plunge pool runs like a dream (and your warranties stay intact), you’ll need to keep your water chemistry balanced. Relax, you don’t need to be a chemist or a 20 year pool veteran to do this.  It’s not as hard at all, and once you get the hang of it, it’s just part of the routine. During warmer months, test your water weekly. In cooler months, every two to three weeks will do the trick. 

1. pH Levels

pH measures how acidic or alkaline your pool water is, and trust me, it’s one of the most important things to get right.

Why is this important? Unbalanced pH can cause more drama than you’d expect—think itchy skin, stinging eyes, and even damage to your gel coat or pool equipment. Worse still, it can mess with your chlorine, making it less effective. Keep your pH in check, and you’re already solving half the water maintenance issues most pool owners face.

Our Recommended pH Range: 7.2–7.4

2. Total Alkalinity

Alkalinity measures the dissolved solids in your water (bicarbonates, carbonates, and hydroxides) and keeps your pH steady. Think of it as your pH’s "mood stabiliser"—steady levels are better than wild swings.

Why is this important? When alkalinity dips too low, your pH becomes unstable, which can cause issues. Too high, and you’ll start seeing cloudy water and scale building up on your pool surfaces and equipment. Scale is no joke—it shortens the lifespan of your pump and can cost you in repairs.

Our Recommended Range: 80–120 ppm

3. Calcium Hardness

This measures the amount of calcium dissolved in your pool water.

Why is this important? Too little calcium, and your water becomes corrosive, which can destabilise pH. Too much, and calcium deposits (think tooth plaque for your pool) can form on the gel coat or in your equipment. It’s better to stop calcium scaling before it starts—it’s like avoiding a dreaded trip to the dentist for a "scale and clean."

Our Recommended Range: 120–300 ppm

4. Chlorine Levels

Chlorine is your number-one defence against algae, bacteria, and other nasties. If you’ve got one of our DIY plunge pools with AquaGuard-X™ gelcoat, it’s doing part of the heavy lifting by reducing the amount of chlorine you need. But you’ll still need to keep those levels up for safe, sparkling water.

Why is this important? Without enough chlorine, warm weather and high swimmer loads (like a big pool party with the kids and their mates) can lead to algae blooms or bacteria growth. Sunlight also zaps chlorine, but using a pool blanket or stabiliser can help stop this. After a big bash, crank up your chlorinator for a couple of days to get levels back in the safe range.

Our Recommended Range: 1.5–2.5 ppm

5. Stabiliser

Stabiliser (cyanuric acid) is like sunscreen for your pool’s chlorine. It protects it from being zapped by the sun’s UV rays, especially in summer.

Why is this important? Without stabiliser, chlorine levels can fluctuate wildly with sunny days, leading to algae or bacteria. Overworking your chlorinator to compensate will burn through its cell life faster—and at $350–$500 a pop, that’s an expense worth avoiding. Prevention is better than cure, and keeping stabiliser levels steady can save you time, money, and the hassle of extra chemicals.

Our Recommended Range: 30–50 ppm

❗ Pro Tip: If you’re hosting a pool party, do yourself a favour and test your water a day or two beforehand. Bump up the chlorinator after the fun to keep everything sparkling and ready for the next swim.

Keeping the Pool Surface Clean and Clear

Fibreglass pools are low-maintenance legends, but a little TLC goes a long way in keeping them looking schmick.

• Prevent Stains: Got a minute? Give the walls a brush with a soft brush every week. Regular scrubbing keeps your pool surface looking like new, prevents stains and removes bacteria and algae.

  If budget permits, buy a robot cleaner with scrubbing brushes. The robot will do the work for you and you can leave the soft brush in the shed.

• Fibreglass-Safe Cleaners: Whatever you do, steer clear of harsh cleaners or tools like steel wool. A DIY plunge pool with a quality gelcoat won’t need special cleaning products. Your standard pool brush on the end of a pole should be all you need.

   

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Remember to avoid abrasive materials, like steel wool, on fibreglass pools. These materials can scratch the surface and promote algae growth in those tiny crevices.

Read more on which cleaner to buy Robot Pool Cleaner vs. Suction Pool Cleaners

Managing Your Plunge Pool’s Filtration System

Your pool’s filtration system is the unsung hero of clean, clear water. It works overtime so you don’t have to, but a bit of regular love will keep it running like a dream.

Filter Cleaning Schedule

If you’re using a cartridge filter, keep an eye on your filter pressure gauge. When its time for a clean (usually fortnightly in the swimming season), the filter element needs more than a hose off. It is essential to clean right into each mesh fold. Otherwise, you are only cleaning 20% of the filter. If you are heating your pool, soak the filter element overnight in an antibacterial filter cleaning solution. Got a sand filter? Backwash it every 4 weeks to flush out the gunk and keep it working at its best.

Filtration Time

During summer, run your filter for 8 hours a day to keep the water sparkling. In cooler months, you can dial it back to around 6 hours a day.

Why it Matters: Neglect your filter, and your water can turn cloudy faster than you can say “pool party.” Clogged filters make your pump work harder, shortening its lifespan and costing you in repairs.

Cartridge versus Media Pool Filters - Which Is Best?

Seasonal Maintenance Tips: Keeping Up with Weather Changes

Your pool care routine will change depending on the season. Don’t stress—it’s easy to adapt.

Summer Maintenance

Summer’s all about lazy arvos by the pool, but that extra use (and the scorching sun) can put your plunge pool's filtration and chemical balance to the test.

• Always Run Your Filtration When The Pool Is Being Used: Swimmings bring body fats, oils, sunburn cream, dirt, mud and debris into your plunge pool. It’s best to let your filtration take care of this in the moment rather than letting it settle to the bottom.
• Watch Water Levels: Evaporation is no joke in the Aussie summer. Keep an eye on levels so your pump doesn’t run dry. You will lose more water in evaporation from your pool on a 35-degree day with a lot of wind compared to a 40-degree day with no wind. 

Winter Care

 Winter maintenance is still a must to keep your plunge pool in top shape.

• Winterise Your Pool: If your pool is closed for winter, add algaecide and pop on a cover to keep out leaves and debris.
• Test Your Water Every Two Weeks: Your water chemistry will fluctuate during winter. Don’t pull the cover on, walk away and come back in mid-spring for a look.
• Vacuum Your Pool Every Week: Leaves break down and leech tannins if left in a pool for weeks on end. Tannins stain your pool. 

The Rewards of DIY Plunge Pool Care

Taking care of your plunge pool isn’t just about ticking maintenance boxes—it’s about maintaining your backyard haven. Every minute you spend skimming, balancing chemicals, or tweaking the pump is time invested in creating a beautiful, stress-free retreat for you and your family.

The best part? The more consistent you are, the easier it gets. You’ll spend less time dealing with issues and more time marvelling at how good your pool looks. So, roll up your sleeves, stick to the basics, and dive into the satisfaction that comes with a pool that’s always ready for a splash.

Discover the Whitsunday Plunge Pool!

If you’re thinking about adding a high-quality plunge pool to your backyard. Check out our Whitsunday plunge pool, with its compact yet stylish design, the Whitsunday is perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance, DIY-friendly option that transforms any space into a personal retreat.

Explore the Whitsunday plunge pool today and take the first step toward creating the ultimate backyard retreat! Learn more here.

Happy swimming!