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Frequently Asked Questions
Question: My pool smells like
chlorine. Is my chlorine level too high?
Answer: A number of times
customers come into the store with concerns about the smell of chlorine in the
pool. In most cases the water is out of balance. This smell is
actually not chlorine, but chloramines. Normally the smell is created by 2
things. Improper pH (pH being the concentration of hydrogen ions in
water), or the chlorine demand has not been met in your pool. Shocking the
pool will reduce the combined chlorine (chloramines). Chlorine is designed
to perform in a pH environment of 7.4 to 7.6. The proper pH in your
swimming pool should be maintained at all times. Please consult your pool
professionals to make adjustments to these parameters. It is recommended
that your pool water should be professionally tested once a month. Approximately
1 pint of water should be brought to your pool company that was retrieved during
circulation, away from the returns of the pool from 18" below the surface
of the water.
Question: The water burns my
eyes. What's wrong?
Answer: This question
would be answered in the same fashion as the above question. pH not being
between 7.4 to 7.6, or a chloramine problem. Again, you should have your
pool water tested for corrective measures.
Question: Is it really
important to "shock" my pool once a week?
Answer:
Yes. Shocking the pool
should be done routinely, normally once a week. Normal shock rate is
one pound of granular chlorine per ten thousand gallons of pool water.
Shocking the pool removes contaminants such perspiration, deodorants and other
organic contaminants.
Question: How often do I need
to backwash my filter?
Answer: Backwashing your
filter is a very important part of your pool maintenance. Every filter
requires different intervals of backwashing. Sand filters should be
backwashed once a week. Diatomaceous earth filters should be backwashed
when clean operating pressure raises above 10 pounds normal clean
pressure. Cartridge filters should be cleaned at least once a month.
These are under normal pool water conditions and normal swimming loads.
Every pool has it's own personality and requires different maintenance
routines.
Question: How long should my
filter run?
Answer: There are many
different types of pool filters on the market today. The efficiency of
your filter may differ from others. Basic rule for filtration is:
Filter should be run during daylight hours a minimum of 8 hours a day. As
water temperatures increase throughout the pool season, circulation should
increase. Also, water clarity, bather load, makeup water and rain fall
also factor in how long your filter should run. For ease of filtration
maintenance, it is recommended that a time clock be installed which will
automatically turn the filter on and off at the proper times.
Question: Is there any
advantage to opening my pool early?
Answer: Swim seasons vary
in different regions. Normal swim season in our area is approximately 21
weeks. Pools are normally winterized in September or October.
Professionally winterized pools are properly balanced and winter grade chemicals
are added. These chemicals have a pool life of approximately 60 to 90 days
depending on how warm our winter months are. It is recommended that
additional chemicals be added as needed. As we progress into the warmer
spring months, the requirement for additional chemicals are increased to
eliminate the shock of removing your cover to start your pool and finding a
green swamp. Opening your pool early in the spring will help you save in
not only the time consumed in clearing your pool, but also in the cost of the
chemicals that will be used to treat the pool. We recommend that openings
be done in April, because at that time filtration costs are less and water
temperatures are lower therefore requiring less sanitizers.
Question: I have difficulty
in maintaining proper pH in my pool, what is the problem?
Answer: As was mentioned
with previous questions, it is very critical to maintain a proper pH in your
pool. Problems with improper pH would be, eye and skin irritation,
corrosive conditions, scale forming, water clarity, or excessive use of
sanitizers. Many factors change the condition of your pool water, however
the most critical factor to maintain proper pH is "alkalinity."
Total alkalinkity should be kept at 125-150PPM to prevent what is called pH
bounce. Testing for this normally done by pool professionals. It is
recommended that you bring a water sample to your local pool dealer for this
testing. They can advise you of what is needed to properly balance your
water. | 