Pool Maintenance & Water Care 

Proper upkeep of your pool with maintenance and water care will reduce the amount of chemicals needed.

The advice here is for information purposes only. We do not guarantee that any actions taken will have perfect results. We are not responsible or liable for the use of this information.

If you need assistance please call us. 

Chlorination

1. Bather load- Each swimmer entering the pool uses some of its chlorine residual. More swimmers require more chlorine, thus a higher rate of treatment.
2. Water Temperature- Higher water temperatures tend to exhaust chlorine more rapidly and encourgae algae growth, creating a greater demand for chlorine.
3. Rain and Wind- Both bring airborne contaminants into the pool and by diluting its chemical system, creates a greater demand for chlorine.
4. Sunlight- Direct sunlight accelerates the dissipation of chlorine.
5. Plants- Trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, etc. in the pool area contribute algae spores, leaves pollen, and associated wastes to put further strain on the pool's chemical balance.
   
   Chlorine compounds have a strong odour and it is possible to have a pool that smells as though it has sufficient Chlorine but in reality it could be very low or deficient in free chlorine.  The O.T.O test method does not distinguish between free and combined Chlorins and is therefore not satisfactory.

Daily:

1. Test PH level; if necessary, adjust to 7.2-7.8 

2. Test chlorine level; if necessary, add sanitizer (or adjust feeder dial) to maintain a proper level of 1.0 to 3.0 ppm.

3. Remove any floating debris with leaf skimmer.

4. Check skimmer and pump basket; clean out debris if necessary.

5. Check filter flow rate and pressure; backwash if necessary

6. Brush pool walls, vacuum bottom, if any debris present.

*To avoid cloudy water, please be sure to wait the recommended time required between each chemical addition.

Backwashing Pool Filter

A backwash should be done when you notice a low float rate returning into the pool or if the pressure is 5 psi higher than normal operation. Follow the procedure below to backwash your filter.

Weekly

1. Clean filter backwash for sand or zeobrite filters. Clean cartridge filter as needed  if necessary soak in Pool Protect Filter Cleaner.

2. Brush down pool walls, vacuum bottom, and clean pool decking as needed.

3. Clean out skimmer and pump baskets often, as it can restrict the flow if they become blocked.

4. Adjust chemicals regularly.

5. Add Algicide 15 once a week as per directions on label.

6. A buildup of unpleasant tastes and odours (frequently attritubed to too much chlorine in the water) may actually indicate the need for superchlorination to eliminate these problems. Superchlorination will also eliminate the cause of most irritation problems.

7. Superchlorination plays a vital role in preventative pool care. You should superchlorinate every week when temperatures exceed 24 degrees and also after heavey pool use and rainstorms. Superchlorinatre every second week when temperatures are below 24 degrees.

Allow superchlorinated water to recirculate through the filter for 4-6 hours then re-test, and if necessary, readjust ph.

Priming System

1. Remove the lid from the strainer basket and fill the basket with water.

2. Replace lid and tighten the clamp (If clamp is not tightened properly air will enter into the lines, making circulation very difficult.)

3. Turn on motor. (It can take anywhere from  15 seconds to 5 minutes to prime the lines, depending on the distance the filter is from the pool.)
   
   Note: Always turn the motor off before removing the lid from the basket. Empty the baksket in the skimmer and pump whenever a build up of debris occurs.

 Vacuuming Procedures

1. Vacuum with the dial valve on the filter position.

2. Connect one end of the vacuum hose to the vacuum head and pole and the other end to the vacuum plate. Place pole, vacuum head, and hose in the water and place vacuum plate end over a directional return in order to blow air out of the hose . Then place vacuum plate end in the skimmer. Be sure the basket is in the skimmer.

3. You may now begin vacuuming the pool. Move head slowly over the bottom so as not to stir up debris.

4. If the debris is particularly heavy, you may vacuum to waste by placing the dial valve on the waste position.

5.  When vacuuming, debris is building up in the filter sand. After vacuuming or when the guage reaches above normal operating pressure, the filter should be backwashed by placing the dial valve to the backwash position for 3-5  minutes. Then turn the dial valve to the filter position for normal operation. (Check filter operational manual for more detailed instructions.) 

6. It is recommended for maximum life to the dial valve to shut off pump between changing cycles.
   

Backwashing Procedure  

1. Check pump and skimmer basket, clean if necessary

2. Turn off pump, turn filter handle from filter to backwash position.

3. Turn on pump, (backwash may take upto 5 minutes) water coming out waster line will be clear at first then change cloudy, then it will come clear again.When it turns clear turn off pump.

4. Turn filter handle to rinse position. Turn on pump for 30 seconds.

5. Turn off pump and turn filter handle back to filter position

6. Turn on pump.