top of page
Want More Information
Green Pool
Algae will get in your pool whether you want it to or not. The trick is catching it early and using the best process to remove it before it spreads. If you are getting repeat algae issues over and over again then there may be some underlying problems in your methods of pool maintenance that needs to be addressed.
Chemical chart
These are your Chemistry goals when its time to test. When you walk up to the pool and make the first initial test this is what you want to find.
Testing
Test Water From home.
For the most accurate results I like to use a DPD Taylor test kit.
How to Test
-You always want to take a water sample from as deep as you can reach. 18 inches or more from the surface of the Pool. If you are using a drop kit test block, then hold the block upside down until you reach the depth then flip it right side up to be filled.
- Do not take samples off the top of the pool surface or in front of the pool return eyeball. Always follow the Test kit instructions
For the most accurate results I like to use a DPD Taylor test kit.
How to Test
-You always want to take a water sample from as deep as you can reach. 18 inches or more from the surface of the Pool. If you are using a drop kit test block, then hold the block upside down until you reach the depth then flip it right side up to be filled.
- Do not take samples off the top of the pool surface or in front of the pool return eyeball. Always follow the Test kit instructions
Add Chemical
Procedures
Each chemical Requires a certain procedure for adding to your water. If you have multiple chemicals that need to be added on your day of service then there are also orders in which you need to add them. These procedures prevents you from Canceling chemicals out, creating bad chemical reactions to pool surfaces or equipment, and prevents you from harming yourself or your swimmers.
Each chemical Requires a certain procedure for adding to your water. If you have multiple chemicals that need to be added on your day of service then there are also orders in which you need to add them. These procedures prevents you from Canceling chemicals out, creating bad chemical reactions to pool surfaces or equipment, and prevents you from harming yourself or your swimmers.
Cleaning
Make it a Breeze by following this simple guide on how to clean the pool.
Tile
- Tile line scum build up is the same as what gets built up in your bathtub. With tile soap and a brush its a quick task unless you neglect it. The scum line will grow thick and will require more elbow grease to remove. I suggest cleaning this every week.
Netting
- This May seem to be a simple task but there are some techniques to make it easier and more time Efficient. Ask your Professional how!
Manual Vacuum
- If you have no Automatic Pool cleaner you will vacuum more often. I believe vacuuming with your filtration system is better than buying a separate style of vacuum. Unless your pool is filled with a ton of debris every week. You want to vacuum before brushing so you don't stir up what sediment has settled to the floor. You May also want to adjust valves to get more suction to the manual vacuum head. Once your set up, systematically Vacuum the floor. If you have a lot of leaves to vacuum you may want to add a leaf trap before connected the vacuum to the suction port. This can Prevent a Plumbing clog underground.
Brushing
- Save the Best for last. Brush the areas of concern every week. Areas such as rough finish spots, sun shelf, steps, swim outs, benches and skimmer mouth. I like to brush the walls and floors every 2-3 weeks. When you add certain chemicals you have to brush so might as well put these categories together to save time!
Tile
- Tile line scum build up is the same as what gets built up in your bathtub. With tile soap and a brush its a quick task unless you neglect it. The scum line will grow thick and will require more elbow grease to remove. I suggest cleaning this every week.
Netting
- This May seem to be a simple task but there are some techniques to make it easier and more time Efficient. Ask your Professional how!
Manual Vacuum
- If you have no Automatic Pool cleaner you will vacuum more often. I believe vacuuming with your filtration system is better than buying a separate style of vacuum. Unless your pool is filled with a ton of debris every week. You want to vacuum before brushing so you don't stir up what sediment has settled to the floor. You May also want to adjust valves to get more suction to the manual vacuum head. Once your set up, systematically Vacuum the floor. If you have a lot of leaves to vacuum you may want to add a leaf trap before connected the vacuum to the suction port. This can Prevent a Plumbing clog underground.
Brushing
- Save the Best for last. Brush the areas of concern every week. Areas such as rough finish spots, sun shelf, steps, swim outs, benches and skimmer mouth. I like to brush the walls and floors every 2-3 weeks. When you add certain chemicals you have to brush so might as well put these categories together to save time!
Automatic Pool Cleaner
APC
Suction Side automatic pool cleaners are my favorite type of cleaner. You have to circulate and Filter your pool anyway. So might as well use a suction side cleaner. They are easy to set up and help out with the cleanliness of your pool. Keep them operation and take 1 step off from your cleaning experience.
Suction Side automatic pool cleaners are my favorite type of cleaner. You have to circulate and Filter your pool anyway. So might as well use a suction side cleaner. They are easy to set up and help out with the cleanliness of your pool. Keep them operation and take 1 step off from your cleaning experience.
Equipment
Service Your Equipment
Make sure your equipment and hydraulics are set up the way they should stay. It is important for this to happen right near the beginning of the pools life, or as soon as possible. Once the valves are set you can mark them and your PSI Gauge on the filter with whiteout. Make sure you do this in your HIGH SPEED cleaning mode. This will be your pools Clean PSI. Once you set the valves correctly you can forget them. Unless you have to adjust for vacuuming or you have a more complicated system. But the mark should indicate where the valves belong for normal operation and filtration mode.
Misuse of valves can choke a pool pump or dead head the waterflow.
Make sure your equipment and hydraulics are set up the way they should stay. It is important for this to happen right near the beginning of the pools life, or as soon as possible. Once the valves are set you can mark them and your PSI Gauge on the filter with whiteout. Make sure you do this in your HIGH SPEED cleaning mode. This will be your pools Clean PSI. Once you set the valves correctly you can forget them. Unless you have to adjust for vacuuming or you have a more complicated system. But the mark should indicate where the valves belong for normal operation and filtration mode.
Misuse of valves can choke a pool pump or dead head the waterflow.
Pool Pump
Explained
- After cleaning out the pool pump basket you need to insure the basket is not broken and is put back correctly. Not doing so could cause the impeller to get clogged and cause problems to the hydraulics.
- Check your pump lid o-ring for cracks or if its lubed. Clean the area where the o-ring sits on the lid and pump.
- Turn the pump back on and allow the system to fully prime. You may open the air release valve on your filter if you have one available. This is to insure the tank gets filled with water and utilizes your entire filtering system.
- After cleaning out the pool pump basket you need to insure the basket is not broken and is put back correctly. Not doing so could cause the impeller to get clogged and cause problems to the hydraulics.
- Check your pump lid o-ring for cracks or if its lubed. Clean the area where the o-ring sits on the lid and pump.
- Turn the pump back on and allow the system to fully prime. You may open the air release valve on your filter if you have one available. This is to insure the tank gets filled with water and utilizes your entire filtering system.
Cartridge Filter
What to expect!
Cartridge filter is one of the most common filters. They are compact and relatively easy to clean. When your hydraulics are set up from the beginning you will see the pressure gauge needle stopped at a number. That is your CLEAN PSI reading. I would mark that with whiteout as a quick reference. Cleaning your Cartridge should occur when your PSI rises 5-10lbs from Clean PSI. As cleaning cycles get closer and closer together that is an indicator that the Cartridge element is near the end of its life.
Check with your manufactures recommendations. Prematurely cleaning your cartridge element or tearing off the bands that hold the pleats together will cause the life of your filter to depreciate.
Filtration is important for the waters clarity. There are several types of filters and each have there own instructions.
Cartridge filter is one of the most common filters. They are compact and relatively easy to clean. When your hydraulics are set up from the beginning you will see the pressure gauge needle stopped at a number. That is your CLEAN PSI reading. I would mark that with whiteout as a quick reference. Cleaning your Cartridge should occur when your PSI rises 5-10lbs from Clean PSI. As cleaning cycles get closer and closer together that is an indicator that the Cartridge element is near the end of its life.
Check with your manufactures recommendations. Prematurely cleaning your cartridge element or tearing off the bands that hold the pleats together will cause the life of your filter to depreciate.
Filtration is important for the waters clarity. There are several types of filters and each have there own instructions.
D.E. Filters
Are the best!
D.E. Filters are a more complicated filtration system. They filter to the smallest micron. There is more to learn about them if you decide to take on maintenance yourself. Charge the filter with D.E. Media or any alternative and allow the filter to work.
When your hydraulics are set up from the beginning you will see the pressure gauge needle stopped at a number. That is your CLEAN PSI reading. I would mark that with whiteout as a quick reference. As the system Filters more particles out of the water the pressure will begin to rise. Once the PSI is 5-10lbs over clean PSI you will need to backwash using the back wash valve. Once complete you may reset the valve to filtration mode and add a couple of handfuls of D.E. Media back into the skimmer to coat the filter. As time goes on these Backwashing cycles will be needed more often. This is the time to dismantle the entire filter. You will need some tools and patience but I believe in you! It is worth it! Should only take about 30 minutes if done correctly.
Check with your manufacturer's recommendation for how much D.E. or alt. media to add.
D.E. Filters are a more complicated filtration system. They filter to the smallest micron. There is more to learn about them if you decide to take on maintenance yourself. Charge the filter with D.E. Media or any alternative and allow the filter to work.
When your hydraulics are set up from the beginning you will see the pressure gauge needle stopped at a number. That is your CLEAN PSI reading. I would mark that with whiteout as a quick reference. As the system Filters more particles out of the water the pressure will begin to rise. Once the PSI is 5-10lbs over clean PSI you will need to backwash using the back wash valve. Once complete you may reset the valve to filtration mode and add a couple of handfuls of D.E. Media back into the skimmer to coat the filter. As time goes on these Backwashing cycles will be needed more often. This is the time to dismantle the entire filter. You will need some tools and patience but I believe in you! It is worth it! Should only take about 30 minutes if done correctly.
Check with your manufacturer's recommendation for how much D.E. or alt. media to add.
Sand Filter
Explained
Sand Filters are the oldest type of filtration system. They are very simple to use. Mostly common on above ground pools now a days. Or maybe an old school builder uses them.
When your hydraulics are set up from the beginning you will see the pressure gauge needle stopped at a number. That is your CLEAN PSI reading. I would mark that with whiteout as a quick reference. Cleaning your Sand filter should occur when your PSI rises 5-10lbs. The water passes through the sand to get filtered. As particles build up in the filter the filters PSI will rise.
Please refer to your Manufacturer's manual for further instructions for your specific model.
Sand Filters are the oldest type of filtration system. They are very simple to use. Mostly common on above ground pools now a days. Or maybe an old school builder uses them.
When your hydraulics are set up from the beginning you will see the pressure gauge needle stopped at a number. That is your CLEAN PSI reading. I would mark that with whiteout as a quick reference. Cleaning your Sand filter should occur when your PSI rises 5-10lbs. The water passes through the sand to get filtered. As particles build up in the filter the filters PSI will rise.
Please refer to your Manufacturer's manual for further instructions for your specific model.
Chlorine Generator
Salt Systems
They are a great way to maintain chlorine disinfectant to your swimming pool. Instead of weekly shock treatments we are checking that salt is maintained every month. Simply decrease or increase to implement chlorine output. Before increasing I always like to make sure the cell is clean or the stabilizer is in range. Once they are set for maintenance they typically aren't changed to dramatically.
Need to inspect/clean cell?
- Always check the manual for manufactures recommendation.
- A common general rule that I have found is if there is build up on the blades they can be cleaned with a mixed solution of water and acid. 5 parts water and 1 part acid.
DO NOT STICK ANYTHING METALIC INTO THE CELL TO CLEAN THE BLADES
They are a great way to maintain chlorine disinfectant to your swimming pool. Instead of weekly shock treatments we are checking that salt is maintained every month. Simply decrease or increase to implement chlorine output. Before increasing I always like to make sure the cell is clean or the stabilizer is in range. Once they are set for maintenance they typically aren't changed to dramatically.
Need to inspect/clean cell?
- Always check the manual for manufactures recommendation.
- A common general rule that I have found is if there is build up on the blades they can be cleaned with a mixed solution of water and acid. 5 parts water and 1 part acid.
DO NOT STICK ANYTHING METALIC INTO THE CELL TO CLEAN THE BLADES
Learn about
Chemicals
Multiple chemicals Are needed for your swimming pool every single week. Anyone who tells you differently is selling you unsafe practices that can cause swimmer discomfort and the deterioration to your swimming pool and equipment.
Multiple chemicals Are needed for your swimming pool every single week. Anyone who tells you differently is selling you unsafe practices that can cause swimmer discomfort and the deterioration to your swimming pool and equipment.
bottom of page