Swimming Pool Maintenance & Tips
Pool Chemistry
There are five chemical levels that every pool owner needs to keep track of:
FC - Free Chlorine - A sanitizer which keeps your pool water safe and free of germs. Chlorine must be constantly replenished. (level depends on CYA)
PH - Acidity/Alkalinity - Needs to be kept in balance to prevent irritation and protect the pool equipment. (7.5 to 7.8)
TA - Total Alkalinity - Appropriate levels help keep the PH in balance. High levels can cause PH to rise. (60 to 120, sometimes higher)
CH - Calcium Hardness - Appropriate levels help prevent plaster damage. High levels can cause calcium scaling. (220 to 350, vinyl lower)
CYA - Cyanuric Acid aka Stablizer - Protects chlorine from sunlight and determines the required FC level. (outdoors 30 to 50, SWG 70 to 80, indoors 0 to 20)
Here are four other chemical levels that come up frequently enough that you should at least know what they are:
CC- Combined Chlorine - CC over 0.5 indicates a problem. shocking the pool may be required.
Salt - Required with a SWG (Salt Water chlorine Generator), otherwise an optional enhancement.
Phosphate -
Test chlorine and pH at least 1 or 2 times per week. Have a comprehensive water test performed by a pool professional every 6-8 weeks at your local pool store. There is generally no charge for this test.
Operate pool equipment a minimum of 6 hours per day during winter months and for 8-10 hours per day during the summer for greatest overall benefit.
Brush the pool walls and floor a minimum of once a week.
To prevent damage to pool equipment make sure the water level never drops below the opening of the skimmer.
Lubricate backwash valve “O” rings on sand and DE filter four times a year. Lubricate pump lid “O” ring periodically with Magic Lube or equivalent product specifically designed for use with swimming pool equipment.
Test pH and add muriatic acid as indicated to maintain pH between 7.4 – 7.8. Never add more than 1 pint of acid at a time and wait at least 1 hour between treatments. Always add muriatic acid by dispersing into pool water opposite the skimmer and disperse as far away from the wall of the pool as you can safely reach. Use care not to drip acid or any chemicals on deck as it will cause deck etching and staining. Do not pour acid over steps, benches, or pool light. Make sure water is circulating.
Clean waterline tile with cleaner a minimum of once a month during peak season.
One month after initial pool start-up, add stain and scale inhibitor on a regular basis.
Always follow manufacturers instructions on product labels.
NEVER ADD WATER TO CHEMICALS – Add chemicals to water.
Always wait one (1) hour between adding different chemicals unless otherwise directed. pool care pool supplies. Call us for any questions with your pool maintenance or any swimming pool pump. 954.762.7946 Fort Lauderdale Pompano Beach Oakland Park
Filters
Sand Filters and DE Filters: For proper pool care backwash once filter pressure increases 8-10 psi above your “clean pressure” noted at start-up. make sure psi gauges are working properly. pool maintenance Cartridge Filters: Need to be taken apart and elements need to be cleaned once filter pressure increases 8-10 psi above your “clean pressure.” This cleaning should be done at least 1 time every 4 weeks.
Always stand clear of the filter during system start up.
Pump pressure caused tank expansion and trapped air in the system is potentially dangerous if the clamp is not installed or tightened correctly. Always purge the air from the filter tank.
Position pressure gauges and equipment instruction so they are visible during system operation and pool supplies maintenance and pool pump
Tank instruction labels and gauges should be positioned so that any repair person can read them easily without coming in contact with the equipment.
Periodically check with your original equipment manufacturer for updates to products.
Always us genuine original manufacturers’ replacement parts to service equipment. Never interchange parts from different manufacturers.
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