How to Care for Your Fibreglass Pool: Essential Tips for Long-Lasting Enjoyment

At last! It’s been a long day of work, but it’s over now. Productive days like these are the best time to slip into your fibreglass pool afterwards and soak in the cool water. Especially when it’s been waiting for you, when the water is crystal clear and ready for relaxation. After all, that’s what’s so great about fibreglass, right? The gelcoat surface avoids all the constant drama with cloudy water. But most people don’t realise the pool still needs attention. Not heavy maintenance like a usual pool, but consistent, effortless care to prevent any damage before it starts. So in this guide on how to care for your fibreglass pool, we’ll show you the best way to keep water balanced and clean, while preventing strain on your equipment. In fact, follow these steps and your pool will stay flawless for over 25 years, so let’s go.

Why Fibreglass Pools Require Specific Care

We know fibreglass pools are built differently, but most people assume they never need to maintain their pool afterwards. The truth is, the gelcoat finish makes pool care low-maintenance, but it still needs protection. Small oversights like excessive scrubbing, mis-calculated pH levels, or imbalanced calcium can ruin your surface. When you apply a maintenance schedule, your fibreglass can last 25 years or more without damage. So you’re saving money compared to solutions like plaster or vinyl. To keep that new look the surface still needs protection, so here are some essentials:

Maintenance cost & resurfacing snapshot (Australia)

Key Components of a Fibreglass Pool

Firstly, the shell is finished with a gelcoat surface. This provides a non-porous, durable surface.

There’s also the filtration system, which is the pump, filter, and skimmer. This keeps your water constantly moving, which catches debris before it sinks or stains.

Many people use optional heaters. They add comfort, but they also need regular checks to prevent scale or buildup.

Checking these once a year catches small issues before they become expensive problems. 

Initial Setup for New Owners

When filling your fibreglass pool for the first time, use municipal water that’s balanced and low in metals. Avoid well water, as it often carries iron or copper which stains the surface. When the pool is full, test your chemistry and make necessary adjustments. This step sets you up for years of easy maintenance.

Daily and Weekly Routines for Fibreglass Pool Maintenance 

The secret to fibreglass maintenance is just repetition. Putting aside literally an hour of your week will prevent damage and costs. Here’s what you need to do:

Monitoring Water Levels and Skimming

Check the waterline daily and keep it at the midpoint of your skimmer. If the level is too low, the pump will strain. And if it’s too high, any debris that might be in your pool won’t be cleared as it should be. Skim out any leaves, insects, or pollen each day and use a fine-mesh skimmer to do so. Empty the skimmer 2-3 times a week so the filtration doesn’t slow down or use more energy than is required.

Brushing and Basic Cleaning

Brush your walls, steps, and floor with a nylon brush 2-3 times weekly. This clears away any film before algae builds up. Don’t use a metal brush, or it will scratch and damage the gelcoat. Many people do this automatically. Tools like the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max combine dual brushes and 8,500 GPH suction to do this for you. The MicroMesh filter finds particles as small as 3 microns, which does a better job with little to no manual effort.

Running the Filtration System

In warmer months, aim to run the pump 8-12 hours daily. Backwash sand filters weekly, or clean cartridge filters when the pressure rises. Emptying your pump basket weekly is an easy step to prevent circulation issues later on.

Balancing Water Chemistry in Your Fibreglass Pool

Maintaining balanced water chemistry is a public health matter, not just an aesthetic one. Government bodies like NSW Health provide strict guidelines to ensure swimming safety. For residential fibreglass pools, adhering to these official standards is the best way to protect your family and your investment.

Despite clean surfaces and optimal pump usage, the health of your pool still relies on chemistry. Fibreglass doesn’t need harsh chemical shocks, but it does need balance to protect its finish.

Why Balance Matters and Testing Frequency

Poor chemistry maintenance can fade the gelcoat, which makes it less effective at fighting algae, and can even cause itchy skin. Test your water two to three times per week. Ideal chemistry levels are:

When your pool stays within these thresholds, your fibreglass will be protected and prevent any damage.

Step-by-Step Adjustment Process

1. Test your water and note imbalances.
2. Slowly add in your chemicals.
3. Leave the system to circulate for 4-6 hours.
4. If needed, retest and fine tune any imbalances.
5. Make sure you check that your products are safe to use with fibreglass to avoid residue.

Additives and Prevention Tips

Algaecides can keep your water clean during heat waves, and clarifiers restore your water if it goes cloudy. After storms or heavy use, be sure to always shock the pool to reset your sanitation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Fibreglass Pools

While fibreglass pools are famously durable, their gelcoat finish is not indestructible. Protecting your investment often comes down to avoiding a few common but costly mistakes. Here are the critical points to remember.

Using the Wrong Cleaning Tools

The number one rule for a fibreglass surface is: no harsh abrasives. Never use steel wool, metal brushes, or aggressive scouring pads. These will permanently scratch and damage the gelcoat, creating areas where algae and dirt can hide. Always use a nylon brush and soft-headed cleaning attachments.

Filling with Untested Well Water

Avoid filling your pool with well water (bore water) unless it has been professionally tested and treated. Well water in many parts of Australia can be high in metals like iron, copper, or manganese. These metals can oxidize when they interact with chlorine, causing severe, hard-to-remove stains on your beautiful gelcoat surface. Always opt for municipal water when possible.

Using Abrasive or Unsafe Chemicals

Not all pool chemicals are suitable for fibreglass. Avoid using harsh, granular chemicals (like some forms of calcium hypochlorite) by dumping them directly into the pool where they can settle and bleach the surface. Always pre-dissolve granular chemicals in a bucket of water before adding them. Similarly, household cleaners should never be used.

Draining the Pool Improperly

This is perhaps the most critical mistake an owner can make. Never drain your fibreglass pool without consulting a professional. The groundwater pressure from the surrounding earth can cause an empty fibreglass shell to bulge, crack, or even pop out of the ground. This is an extremely expensive problem to fix. If the pool must be drained, it requires professional bracing.

Seasonal Care Strategies for Your Fibreglass Pool

Maintenance methods change every season. Each season needs something different, and missing a step can ruin months of care.

Spring and Summer Peak Maintenance

When reopening, you should deep clean your pool and then shock it. For the first few days of reopening, run the filter constantly to restore cleanliness. During peak season, test the chemistry levels more often and brush more regularly, since heat and more people using the pool speeds up algae growth. Covering your pool also reduces evaporation and chemical loss.

Autumn Preparation

During Autumn, you’ll notice more leaves and bugs falling into your pool. So skim the pool more frequently and add algaecide once a month. You should also reduce pump runtime as the temperature drops, but don’t stop using it.

Winter Closing Steps

1. Deep clean your pool and balance all chemistry levels.
2. Lower the water below skimmers if freezing is expected to avoid damage.
3. Add antifreeze to your lines.
4. Cover the pool securely with air pillows to absorb any ice pressure.

For ongoing ease, many owners are using the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max, which allows app control and 5-in-1 water monitoring. With up to 10 hours of cordless runtime, it can even handle off-season spot cleans which saves you doing cold-morning cleans yourself.

Regional Notes for Australia

Humid summers mean algae can appear quickly. Consistency is a must or build-ups can become tough to remove very quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long does a fibreglass pool last?

A: A well-maintained fibreglass pool shell can last for 30 years or more. The gelcoat finish, which is the interior surface you see and feel, typically has a lifespan of 15-25 years before it may need resurfacing, depending heavily on water chemistry and sun exposure.

Q: How often should you shock a fibreglass pool in Australia?

A: The frequency depends on usage and climate. During the peak summer swimming season in places like Queensland or NSW, shocking your pool every 1-2 weeks is a good practice. You should also shock the pool after heavy usage (like a pool party), a significant rainstorm, or if you notice any signs of algae growth.

Q: Can you tile a fibreglass pool?

A: Yes, you can, but it requires a specialized process. Standard tiles and grout are not suitable because a fibreglass shell has slight flex. Tiling is typically limited to the waterline or for decorative mosaics, using special flexible adhesives and grout applied by a professional experienced with fibreglass pools.

Q: How do you clean the fibreglass pool waterline?

A: The waterline often accumulates a ring of oils, sunscreen, and dirt. To clean it, use a soft sponge or cloth with a cleaner specifically designed for fibreglass pool surfaces. Never use abrasive scouring pads or household cleaners, as they can permanently scratch the gelcoat. For prevention, some advanced robotic pool cleaners can also scrub the waterline, helping to keep this buildup from forming.

Conclusion

As you can see, the legendary low-maintenance of a fibreglass pool is unlocked with a simple, consistent routine. It’s not about endless chores, but about small, regular actions that protect your investment and guarantee crystal-clear water whenever you’re ready for a swim.

The goal is always to spend more time enjoying your pool than cleaning it. While a steady routine is effective, smart technology like robotic cleaners can elevate that freedom to the next level, turning daily and weekly tasks into a hands-off experience.

To continue your journey toward effortless pool ownership, we invite you to explore more expert guides on our blog. Or, if you're ready to see what modern maintenance looks like, discover the full Aiper family of products designed to give you a flawless pool with none of the fuss.