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| CHEMICAL
SAFETY |
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Store
your pool chemicals out of direct sunlight to prevent
breakdown by UV rays. Scale and corrosive conditions occur
when pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and dissolved
solids are out of balance. Frequent testing can help prevent
these problems before they get out of hand. Store pool
chemicals out of the reach of children in sealed containers.
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| CHLORINE
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To
maintain the proper level of residual chlorine when bather
load is heavy, shock your pool once a week with a 3 to
5 times higher than normal dose of chlorine. Chlorine
is broken down by the sun's ultraviolet rays. Using cyanuric
acid to stabilize the chlorine in your pool at the beginning
of the swim season will help you maximize your chlorine's
efficiency all summer long. Filters remove suspended particles
from pool water, but don't control bacteria or algae.
Maintain a residual chlorine level of 1.0-3.0 ppm (parts
per million) to kill bacteria and/or algae present in
the water. |
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| PH
LEVEL |
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The
ideal pH for pool water is 7.5. A pH range of 7.4-7.6
is considered acceptable. Maintaining an alkalinity range
from 80-120 ppm will help minimize changes in pH, which
can result in scaling and corrosion. |
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| QUALITY
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To
ensure accurate readings, replace test kit reagents annually.
To ensure the highest water quality, test your pool's
pH and free chlorine levels daily, adding chemicals as
needed. Proper chemical usage is important for maintaining
a healthy pool. Be sure to follow the chemical manufacturer's
instructions closely regarding proper dosage for your
size pool. Add an algaecide and chlorine to your pool
before covering it for the winter. It will ensure that
the water is clear and algae-free when you reopen it the
following season. |
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| DEBRIS
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When
preparing to open your pool for the season, clean all
leaves and other debris off the cover before removing
it. By emptying your skimmer baskets frequently, you'll
help minimize the amount of leaves that end up on the
bottom of your pool. When cleaning the surface of your
pool with a leaf net, work your way around the sides first,
then clean from the middle of the pool to the sides. Be
sure to empty your leaf net occasionally when cleaning
your pool's surface. Otherwise, the net's contents may
accidentally end up back in the pool. Keep the trees and
shrubs around your pool trimmed back to minimize the amount
of leaves and debris that end up in the pool. |
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| WATER
CLARITY |
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When
opening your pool at the beginning of the season, run
your filter around the clock until the water is completely
clear. If your pool water appears green or has an unpleasant
odor, the problem is probably caused by algae. Test for
proper chlorine level, and consult a pool professional
if the problem persists. Keeping your filter, pump, lint
trap and skimmer baskets clean and in proper working condition
will help ensure that your pool water stays sparkling
clear. Pool inlets should be adjusted so the surface water
is moving in a circular direction. Make a habit of checking
and emptying skimmer and pump baskets regularly. |
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| ENERGY
CONSERVATION |
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To
conserve energy, run your pool's filtration system only
during off-peak hours. When leaving for vacation for more
than a week, turn off the pool heater, including the pilot
light. If you use your pool only on weekends, reduce your
heater thermostats settings by eight to ten degrees during
the week. Use fencing, hedges or other landscaping, or
cabanas to shelter your pool from prevailing winds. According
to the National Swimming Pool Institute and the American
Red Cross, the most healthful swimming temperature is
78 degrees. Reducing your heater thermostat to maintain
a 78 degree or lower temperature will also help conserve
energy. When reopening your pool for a new season, make
sure your pump and filter are working properly before
adding chemicals to the water. If your pool heater is
more than five years old, chances are a new high efficiency
gas heater such as the MiniMax could quickly pay for itself
in utility bill savings. To obtain maximum filtration
and energy efficiency, backwash or clean your filter regularly,
as required. |
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| CLEANERS
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An
automatic pool cleaner will dramatically reduce the time
spent on weekly maintenance. If you fill your pool with
well water, you'll need to add a metal remover. |
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| FILTERS
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When
cleaning cartridge filters, soak them in a cleaning solution
for 24 hours, then hose them off before reinstalling.
D.E. filters should be disassembled and cleaned at least
once per season. Is your sand filter 3-5 years old? If
so, ask your pool professional if it's time to replace
the sand. If your filter pressure gauge indicates that
pressure has dropped below the normal reading for a clean
filter, check to see if you have a clogged pump or skimmer
basket. Cleaning your sand or D.E. filters when you close
your pool for the season will ensure that they are ready
for action when you open your pool the following summer.
To obtain maximum filtration and energy efficiency, backwash
or clean your filter regularly, as required. |
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| GASKETS,
O-RINGS, & RUBBER FITTINGS |
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If
your pool has a deck-mounted junction box, check the condition
of the gaskets regularly--and replace as needed--to make
sure the box cannot be penetrated by water. When closing
your pool for the season, coat all accessible o-rings,
rubber fittings, and gaskets with a silicone O-ring lube
to keep them from drying out. |
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| HEATERS
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To
maintain your heater's heating efficiency, follow a regular
program of preventive maintenance, including annual inspection
and de-liming of the heat exchanger when necessary. |
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| LIGHTING |
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The
addition of fiber optic or automated color changing lighting
can dramatically enhance your nighttime pool enjoyment.
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| PUMPS
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Turn
the pool pump off before operating the multiport valve.
If your pump starts running louder or making unusual noises,
shut it off and contact your pool professional. If your
pump motor hums but will not start, turn off the power
and check to see if the impeller is clogged with debris.
Make a habit of checking and emptying skimmer and pump
baskets regularly. |
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| SKIMMERS
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To
prevent your skimmer basket from tipping over when the
pump switches on or off, place a small weight or rock
in the bottom (the weight must be larger than the suction
pipe below the basket). Check to make sure the skimmer
weir is in place and is moving freely. Make a habit of
checking and emptying skimmer and pump baskets regularly. |
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| WATER
LEVELS |
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Maintain
your pool water level halfway up the skimmer box opening.
Normally, a pool should lose no more than 1/4 inch of
water per day. If you notice a greater loss, suspect a
leak. Loose tiles or cracks in the pool deck may be an
indication of a leaking pool. Cracks and gaps in the bond
beam may be an indication that your pool is leaking. If
you notice water-saturated soils in the area around the
pool, pool pumps or plumbing, your pool may be leaking.
If you see bubbles in the return water when the pool's
pump is running, it's likely there's a leak in the suction
side of the filtration system. |
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| BACK
TO TOP |
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