Ask The Expert

POOL TIPS

1. In the spring and periodically during the summer, make sure you clean the water line on your vinyl liner with a special vinyl liner cleaner. This keeps the liner supple and helps protect it from fading.


2. Test your pool water frequently (daily or weekly depending on usage) using either test strips or a test kit.


3. Bring a sample of your water to the store and we will test it for FREE with our state of the art, water testing equipment


4. It is very important to keep your pool water at the required standards not only for health reasons but did you know that improper water chemistry can damage your liner, your piping, your heater, etc.?


5. When adding chemicals to your pool be sure you follow the instructions from your pool expert. Sometimes chemicals need to be added in a certain order to bring about the desired result. Some chemicals should NEVER be combined together as they can be dangerous. When we test your water we will give you a customized print out for your pool and exact instructions on what to add and when. This will bring about the best results in the shortest period of time with the minimum amount of cost.


6. We recommend you run your filtration system 24 hours a day. There is significant wear and tear on your motor turning it on and off or using a timer. Additionally, filtration and pump specifications state that every drop of water in your pool should be filtered 3 times a day. If you use a timer, you will not be able to achieve that goal.


7. The bacteria in your pool builds up a immunity to your regular chlorine level in the pool. Shock your pool  weekly with either liquid chlorine or granular chlorine. A regular shock treatment keeps water free of algae, bacteria, and any other organic material that may have entered your pool. Unless you give your pool  a super dose of chlorine (2/3 times its normal chlorine level) algae and bacteria will start to take over the pool. DO NOT WAIT til the water gets cloudy or the pool turns green as this will cost you a lot more in time, chemicals and $ to fix.


8. Use a long-handled leaf skimmer to get leaves, insects, and any other debris floating on the surface of the pool out of the pool before it sinks to the bottom. Once particles sink to the bottom of the pool they can stain your liner and may be difficult to get out.


9. Pump Maintenance — if you detect water around your pump that usually means a seal in the pump is leaking. If you do not take care of it immediately it will affect the bearings in the motor and eventually will end the life of the motor.


10. Backwashing your filter — filter should be backwashed at least once a week depending on use. This recycles the sand bed in the tank giving you a new clean cycle of filtration. Backwashing times vary from 2-3 minutes depending on the size of the pool and how dirty the filter is. A common sign that you need to backwash your filter is low water pressure from your pool jets.


11. Click here for Expert Advice from BioGuard.
    
    
12. Click here for a Troubleshooting guide for pumps, filters, heaters and cleaners
    

Hot Tub Tips | Pool Tips