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5 Keys To Good Pool Care no comments
There are 5 Keys to simple swimming pool care. Circulation, Filtration, Cleaning, Water Testing, and Water Chemistry. When you follow all 5 keys, your pool will not only look good, it will also feel good, be more economical to operate, and the pool and its equipment will last longer. Here’s a brief synopsis of the 5 keys.
Key 1 – Circulation
Good circulation in your pool means much more than filtering water – it’s getting all of the water in the pool moving & through the filter. Circulation is more than filter or pump turnover; its removing dead spots – you know those areas where algae always seems to grow or where dirt & debris always seems to accumulate. The better the water is circulating, the better the filtration, the cleaner the pool. In fact it typically takes up to FOUR turnovers to get all of the water completely filtered.
Dead spots are corners of rectangular pools, areas directly adjacent to skimmer(s) & return fittings, behind ladders, and often times the entire lower half of a pool! This especially true if the return jets are turned UP so that you can see the water rippling on the surface. In aboveground round & oval pools that have the return jet turned to the side to create a whirlpool, the center of the pool will get little or no circulation, sort of like the eye of a hurricane, and a “pillar” of cloud will form.
The easiest way to get better circulation is to use the pool as often as possible.
Key 2 – Filtration
Now that the water is circulating properly, good filtration removes dirt, debris & even certain large bacteria & algae. Sand filters remove the largest particles, Cartridge filters remove smaller particles & DE filters remove the smallest. Filter your water for 8 to 12 hours every day from opening to closing. Use a timer so that you don’t forget and save money. By the way, for the best filtration, be sure to chemically clean your filter about twice each season to remove accumulations of greases, oils & other swimmer and environmental waste that clog your pool filter & that routine backwashing & rinsing will NOT remove.
Chemically clean the filter 2 times each season so that the filter runs more efficiently.
Key 3 – Cleaning
Most swimming pools have at least one area with little or no circulation. This is where algae and bacteria can begin to grow. These areas produce the “stuff” that contributes to cloudy or green water and higher than normal chlorine or sanitizer usage. At least once a week, the walls and floor should be brushed and vacuumed to remove debris that the filter misses. Brushing is a must, even if you use an automatic pool cleaner or retain a weekly service. It’s like taking care of your teeth – you know that you should brush & floss, but…Oh, and don’t forget to clean that water line regularly to break up bio-film build up.
Vacuum the pool once or twice each week. Be sure to brush the walls to break up any algae that may not be seen, but is forming. Brush & clean the waterline to break up any bio-film that is forming.
Key 4 – Testing
Test your pool water at least 2 times per week & bring in a 1 quart water sample for a complete computerized test & analysis 3 times per season for best results. Testing keeps you up to date on what’s going on with your pool water. Don’t rely solely on how the water looks. In fact most of the SERIOUS water problems that we see (skin rashes, colored hair, pool surface etching, etc.) occur when the water is “crystal clear” about the middle of the swimming season. Make pH, total alkalinity & calcium hardness adjustments promptly. You’ll protect the filter system, the pool surfaces, get better chlorine & sanitizer efficiency and virtually eliminate red eyes & dry skin.
Use a good quality test kit or test strips. Take a water sample to reputable local dealer for periodic testing as well. Ask them to test for metals that might be present that could lead to staining of the pool surface.
Key 5 – Water Chemistry
Last but not least it’s water chemistry. Pool water chemistry IS easy – just 4 simple steps:
1. Maintain a constant level of sanitizer in the pool. Slow dissolving chlorine sticks or tablets; proper level of biguanide (Soft Swim); bromine; salt level.
2. Shock the pool weekly or at a minimum every 2 weeks (biguanides shock every 3 to 4 weeks). Shocking oxidizes unfilterable wastes & breaks up chloramines that lead to cloudy water, algae, smelly pools & red eyes.
3. Add algicide weekly or at least every 2 weeks to prevent algae growth. A good quality algicide (concentrates sold in quart sizes) backs up the chlorine or sanitizer in case it is exhausted due to heavy bather load or heavy rain.
4. Maintain good water balance. Without good water balance, the sanitizer doesn’t work properly or efficiently. The water can become cloudy (high pH) or aggressive (low pH – water is often times really clear). You’ll also protect your friends & family who use your pool.
The 5 Keys typically take about ONE hour or less to accomplish each week. Yes, that’s it! Just 1 hour. Now you can enjoy your pool more & actually work less. In the long run, you’ll also spend less time & money.