POOL MAINTENANCE

How to Maintain a Fibreglass Pool: The Complete Guide

One of the biggest advantages of a fibreglass pool is how easy it is to maintain compared to concrete. But easy does not mean zero effort. Getting the basics right will keep your pool looking good, extend the life of the gelcoat surface and save you money on repairs down the track. Here is a straightforward guide to fibreglass pool maintenance.

Water Chemistry: The Most Important Thing You Can Control

If you only do one thing for your fibreglass pool, keep the water chemistry balanced. Poor water chemistry is the number one cause of premature gelcoat damage, staining and osmosis blistering. Here are the key levels to monitor:

• pH: 7.2 to 7.6: This is the sweet spot. Low pH (acidic water) attacks the gelcoat surface and accelerates fading. High pH reduces chlorine effectiveness and can cause scale buildup.
• Free chlorine: 1 to 3 ppm: Enough to sanitise the water without being harsh on the gelcoat. Consistently high chlorine levels will degrade the surface faster.
• Total alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm: Alkalinity acts as a buffer for pH. If alkalinity is out of range, your pH will be unstable and harder to control.
• Calcium hardness: 200 to 400 ppm: Too low and the water becomes aggressive, pulling minerals from the pool surface. Too high and you get calcium scale deposits.
• Cyanuric acid (stabiliser): 30 to 50 ppm: Protects chlorine from UV breakdown. Without it, you will burn through chlorine much faster in the Queensland sun.

Test your water at least once a week during summer and fortnightly in winter. A basic test kit or test strips from your local pool shop will do the job. Get a full water test done at a pool shop every month or two for a more accurate picture.

Regular Cleaning

Fibreglass pools are easier to keep clean than concrete because the smooth gelcoat surface resists algae. But you still need a basic cleaning routine:

• Skim the surface daily: Remove leaves, bugs and debris before they sink and decompose. A simple leaf skimmer is all you need.
• Brush the walls and floor weekly: Use a soft-bristle brush or a brush designed for fibreglass pools. Never use a stainless steel or abrasive brush — it will scratch the gelcoat.
• Vacuum or run a robotic cleaner weekly: This picks up fine sediment that settles on the pool floor. Robotic cleaners work well on fibreglass and do the job with minimal effort.
• Clean the waterline: A buildup of oils, sunscreen and grime along the waterline is normal. Wipe it down regularly with a soft cloth and a fibreglass-safe pool surface cleaner. Avoid household cleaners or anything abrasive.

Filtration and Circulation

Your pool pump and filter do the heavy lifting when it comes to keeping the water clear. Run your pump for at least 8 hours a day in summer and 4 to 6 hours in winter. The goal is to turn over the entire pool volume at least once every 24 hours.

Clean or backwash your filter regularly — a dirty filter reduces flow rate and makes everything else less effective. If you have a cartridge filter, rinse it with a hose every few weeks and replace the cartridge annually or as needed. Sand filters should be backwashed when the pressure gauge reads 8 to 10 psi above the clean baseline.

Empty your skimmer basket and pump basket weekly. A blocked basket restricts flow and puts extra strain on the pump.

Stain Prevention

Fibreglass pools can develop stains from metals in the water (particularly iron and copper), organic material and poor water chemistry. Prevention is far easier than removal:

• Use a metal sequestrant if your water supply has high metal content — this is common in bore water areas
• Remove leaves and organic debris promptly — tannins from leaves can cause brown staining if left sitting on the surface
• Keep pH and chlorine in range — out-of-balance water is the main driver of staining and discolouration
• Address stains early while they are still fresh — the longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove without professional help

Things to Avoid With a Fibreglass Pool

Fibreglass pools are tough, but there are a few things that can damage the gelcoat surface:

• Abrasive brushes or tools — never use stainless steel brushes, scouring pads or abrasive cleaners on the gelcoat. Stick to soft-bristle brushes.
• Dropping chemicals directly into the pool — never dump granular chlorine or acid directly onto the pool surface. Pre-dissolve chemicals in a bucket of water first, or add them through the skimmer with the pump running.
• Draining the pool unnecessarily — an empty fibreglass pool can be damaged by ground pressure and hydrostatic uplift. Never drain a fibreglass pool without professional guidance.
• Ignoring water chemistry — this is worth repeating. Imbalanced water is the fastest way to degrade a gelcoat surface. Test regularly and adjust promptly.

When to Call a Professional

Basic maintenance is straightforward, but some issues need professional attention. If you notice any of the following, it is worth getting your pool assessed:

• Blisters or bubbles forming under the surface — this could be osmosis
• Cracks in the gelcoat or structural cracks in the shell
• The surface feels rough, chalky or abrasive — signs it may need resurfacing
• Persistent staining that does not respond to treatment
• Water loss that could indicate a leak

BRE Fibreglass handles fibreglass pool repairs and resurfacing across the Gold Coast and South East Queensland. If your pool needs more than just maintenance, send through a few photos and we will give you an honest assessment.