What a deep clean covers
A deep clean is the whole routine of a weekly service done in one go, with extra time spent on the parts that build up when nobody has been looking after the pool. We start by testing the water so we know what state it is in, then work from the surface down.
- Skimming leaves, insects and floating debris off the surface
- Emptying and rinsing the weir basket and the pump basket
- Brushing the walls, steps, benches and the waterline
- Vacuuming the floor, including leaves and silt in the deep end
- Backwashing and rinsing the filter, and checking the filter pressure
- Testing and balancing chlorine, pH and alkalinity
- A look over the pump, filter, cleaner and chlorinator, with anything worrying reported to you
When a once-off clean makes sense
The start of summer is the obvious time for one. Over winter a pool is used less and looked at less, and by September there is often a layer of leaves and silt on the bottom, a dirty tile line and a filter full of winter debris. One proper clean, with the water balanced for the warmer months ahead, sets the pool up for the season.
Property is another. A clean pool matters in listing photos and at a show day, and a new tenant or buyer should not inherit someone else's neglect. A clean before a transfer or a new lease, or in the week you move in, means everyone starts with a pool in a known state.
Then there are events: a birthday party, a year-end braai, visitors from overseas. Book a few days ahead if you can, so the water has time to settle and the chlorine level has come down to a comfortable swimming reading before the day.
Cloudy water after a clean
It is normal for water to look slightly hazy straight after a deep clean. Brushing and vacuuming lift fine silt into the water, and the filter needs a few cycles to catch it. Leave the pump running and the water will usually clear over the next day or so.
If it stays cloudy for longer, the cause is usually the filter — sand that has clumped together or is simply worn out, so water channels through without being filtered. We will tell you on the day if the filter pressure or backwash suggests that. A sand change is the fix, and it is a separate job with its own fixed price.
The tile line: hard water and calcium
Municipal water across Centurion and Pretoria is hard, and as pool water evaporates the dissolved calcium stays behind. Over months it builds up as a grey-white crust along the tiles at the waterline, often with dirt and sunscreen stuck to it. Normal brushing does not shift it once it has hardened.
Waterline tile descaling is available as an add-on to a clean, at R800. If the scale has spread across the whole pool surface, or there are stains in the plaster, an acid wash is the thorough answer — see our acid wash page for how that works and when to do it.
What an automatic cleaner can and cannot do
An automatic or robotic pool cleaner is a great help between cleans, but it does not replace one. Suction cleaners like the Kreepy Krauly move across the floor using the pump's suction, so they only work while the pump runs and they depend on a clean filter and empty baskets. Robotic cleaners carry their own motor and filter bag and climb walls, but they still need their bag emptied and they do not brush the waterline or balance the water.
When we do a deep clean, we check your cleaner too: hoses that have split or shortened, worn feet and diaphragms, and whether it is actually reaching the deep end and the steps. A cleaner that has been going round in the same corner for a month is often the reason a pool looks neglected even though "the machine is in". Replacement cleaners, hoses and spares are in the Pool Cleaners department of our shop.
Keeping it clean after we leave
A deep clean resets the pool; keeping it that way is a matter of a few habits. Run the pump long enough each day for the whole volume of water to pass through the filter, empty the baskets after windy days and storms, and test the water at least weekly in summer. A simple test kit costs little and tells you when something is drifting before it becomes a problem.
If you would rather not do that, a weekly maintenance plan takes it off your hands. Starting with a once-off clean is a good way to see how we work before deciding. There is no obligation either way.
Choosing the right size
The price depends on how many litres the pool holds, because a bigger pool takes longer to vacuum and brush and holds more water to balance. Family pools in Centurion and Pretoria commonly hold somewhere between 30,000 and 60,000 litres.
To estimate yours, multiply length by width by average depth in metres, then by 1,000 to get litres. A rectangular pool of 8 by 4 metres with an average depth of 1.4 metres holds about 44,800 litres — a medium clean. For a kidney or free-form pool, use the longest length and the average width and you will be close enough. If you are unsure, send us a photo and we will tell you.
How it works
Book
WhatsApp 081 577 5051 with your suburb, a photo and a preferred date. We confirm the size and price.
Clean
Skim, empty baskets, brush, vacuum and backwash — the whole pool, top to bottom.
Balance
Water tested and corrected so it is safe and comfortable to swim.
Report
You hear about anything we noticed on the equipment, so there are no surprises later.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a once-off pool clean?
R1,200 for a pool up to 30,000 litres, R1,500 for 30,000–50,000 litres, and R1,800 for larger pools. Tile line descaling can be added for R800.
How long does a once-off pool clean take?
Most take a few hours on site. A pool with a thick layer of leaves and silt takes longer, because the vacuum has to be emptied and the filter backwashed more than once.
Why is my pool cloudy after cleaning?
Brushing and vacuuming stir up fine particles. Keep the pump running and it usually clears within a day or so. If it does not, the filter sand is often worn out.
Can you clean a green pool with a once-off clean?
A green pool needs a recovery treatment that kills and removes the algae. It is a separate service with its own fixed price by pool size.
Do I need to be home?
Only for access to the pool and the pump. You can arrange access through the gate or the estate, and we message you when we are done.
How soon can we swim after the clean?
Usually once the chlorine reading has come down to a normal swimming level, which we tell you on the day. If we needed a heavy dose, it may be the next day.