Get matched with top above ground pool installation pros in Fairview, MT

The life expectancy of a gunite pool is about 100 years or more with proper care. Clean your pool at least once a week and plan to resurface it every five to seven years. For winter, close down the gunite pool but don’t drain it. And you can increase your gunite pool’s longevity by repairing any damage and addressing any issues as soon as you notice them.

Yes, you will need to shock your pool with high levels of chlorine or bromine when you first fill it to kill off bacteria and pathogens. You’ll need to wait for the chlorine concentration to come back down to a safe level before swimming. After that, you can test and maintain the chlorine and other levels as normal. The only exception to this is if you get pool water delivered by a professional. In that case, the water might come pretreated, so you might not need to shock it.

You can use a plunge pool any time of the year, including winter. Be sure to install a pool heater if you plan to take a dip in the plunge pool when temperatures are low to avoid risk of hypothermia. You will also want to add a sturdy pool cover to protect the pool from snow, sleet, and rain during the winter months.

In combination with adequate filtering and water chemical balance, vacuuming will keep your pool from being overrun with algae. If your pool is experiencing algae growth, the same combination will get rid of it with a bit of patience. Heavy algae growth may require the use of an algaecide, and in some cases, you’ll want to vacuum the pool 24 to 48 hours after using algaecide to remove dead algae debris.