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Q. My pool company does a great job each
week, but my pool seems to get so dirty before their next visit.
A. Without knowing your pool and all it's features and surroundings I will just answer this question in general. Between service visits you should only have to keep your pool's water at the proper level (middle of your skimmer's opening.)
A. First, identify what kind of debris your pool is mostly getting.
A. If you have a lot of trees or flowery plants in the area of
your pool, you may find it necessary to keep your skimmer baskets from getting full between your pool service visits. Full skimmer baskets can slow the water's circulation and may no longer skim any additional debris from the pools surface. If you are getting alot of this kind of debris it is most probably from trees or plants that are directly over the pool or deck. Most all trees and plants drop their debris straight down, so trimming your landscaping from hanging over your pool area will go a very long way in helping to keep your pool clean.
A. If your getting more dirt than leaves in your pool take a look at your landscaping. Directly around your pool you should not have any loose landscaping that's not protected from going in the pool. Your pool deck should always be higher than your landscaping and slightly slant down away from your pool. Even if your pool's deck is higher than your landscaping around the pool ask yourself if there is any potential of this landscaping flooding during rain and washing into the pool.
A. If these observations do not help you, consult an ipssa pool
professional. There is a wide range of cleaning equipment that attaches to most pools to help keep pools clean all week long.
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Q. My pool water gets so warm during the summer months, how can I keep the water cooler?
A. Keep in mind that the pool keeps
it's temperature not just from the sun and heat but also from the ground temperature that surrounds your pool. Of course a shaded pool remains the coolest even during the summer months, but trees that provide shade also provide lots of debris that become a constant chore to keep clean, both in and out of
the pool.
A. There are new water coolers on the market that work much
like a home A/C unit and they cool your pools water. You can
consult one of the IPSSA Pool Professionals if your interested in this option. Outside of installing a cooler for your pool we can only offer a temporary solution.
A. Ice is a convienent solution to those who want temporary relief. We only recommend crushed ice or bagged ice and
that you make sure you break up any larger pieces and let the ice melt before swimming. The larger the pieces the lower the surface area and the slower it will cool your pool. Also, larger pieces of ice, especially block ice, can be hazardous to someone
jumping, diving or swimming in the pool. Ice can become very
sharp as it melts and jumping, diving or swimming into it can be
as dangerous as someone throwing it at you. No matter how cool
you get your pool, the amount of time it takes your pool to
return to it's regular temperature will have a lot to do with the amount of sun, heat and ground temperature that surround your pool.
Q. I am losing alot of
water in my pool and I seem to be filling it too often?
A. Water loss is often mistaken for water leaks. During the hot Texas
summers, expect to lose 1/4" of water per day due to evaporation, and
when we experience less humidity and higher temperatures than normal
water loss can be even higher. To avoid unnecessary water loss during
warmer weather follow these guidelines:
A. Do not keep heater's running longer than needed, of course warmer
water evaporates at a higher rate.
A. Keep water features (ie. water falls or sprays) off during normal
pool operation, these fixtures increase the amount of water surface area
exposed to evaporation.
A. Keep all circulation operating properly. Uncirculated water will
remain near the surface allowing more evaporation, while the cooler
water will remain closest to the bottom of your pool.
A. Kids will be kids and more water loss will occur with big splashes or
"rocking" the pool's water as they play.
A. Higher than normal swimming loads (swimmers getting in and out of the
water) and and will cause a water loss. Be ready to replace the lost
water after a party.
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Q. I have air bubbles continually coming out of my return lines, but i don't seem to be losing water?
A. This is an indication of a
suction side plumbing problem. It is best to have this problem
checked out thoroughly. For starters, remove pump lid and check
that o-ring, lid, and o-ring seat are all in good condition,
properly lubricated and making a good seal. If there is no air
leaking at the pump basket, the leak is probably originating
between the skimmer and the plumbing going to the pump basket.
For further diagnosis you will have to contact a pool
professional qualified to detect leaks with special equipment.
Keep in mind that air getting to the pump may cause the pump to
lose it's prime and possibly run dry and over-heat.
Pool
Care
Filter
Maintenance
D.E.
Filters - backwash 1/month* or
5-7psi raise, clean 1/year
Sand Filters - backwash weekly* or 5-7psi raise
Cartridge Filters - large filters 1/year, medium filters
1/quarter, small(spa) bi-weekly
*If needed more frequently, then
filter needs to be cleaned down.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO OPEN
FILTER LID UNTIL
ALL POWER IS TURNED OFF AND
ALL PRESSURE HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM TANK.
Backwashing
Multi-port Valve turn
off motor at main power, open backwash drain valve if there is
one, turn valve to backwash position and turn motor back on,
watch sight glass until water becomes clear. Turn motor off and
move valve to rinse position, turn motor back on and watch sight
glass until water becomes clear. Turn motor off and move valve
back to filter position. Turn motor back on and relieve any air in filter. (D.E. filters MUST have D.E. replaced immediately after turning motor back on.) Note the filter's psi.
Push Pull Valve - Turn off motor at main power, open valve to backwash position and turn motor back on, watch sight glass until water becomes clear. Turn motor off and replace valve back to filter position. Turn motor back on and relieve any air in the filter. (D.E. filters MUST have D.E. replaced immediately after turning motor back on.) Note filter psi.
Valve
Positions
Filter
- Normal pool operation - Water flows from pump, through filter
and back to pool.
Backwash - Used to backwash - Water flows from the pump, through through the filter (in opposite direction as filter position,)
and out to backwash line. On D.E. filters the D.E. must be
replaced after using this position (following above directions.)
Rinse - Used to rinse plumbing before turning
back to the filter position. - Water flows same as filter position except water flows to backwash line.
Waste - Used to drain water level or vacuum heavy debris straight to the drain to avoid sending dirt to filter.
Re-circulate - Used to re-circulate water from the pump back to pool without sending water through the filter.
Closed - Used when system is drained and winterized. NEVER use this position with pump on.
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