PC103: MAINTENANCESMART START Pool School

POOL MAINTENANCE

➤ There is more to a clear, clean pool than just adding chemicals; there are also some regular physical maintenance tasks that should be completed to keep your pool working its best all summer.

➤ Note that some of the maintenance tasks outlined here may need to be done more often than usual, depending on where you live and what kind of material gets into your pool.

➤ Take note of particular problem areas—filled baskets, plant debris at the bottom, etc.—and be vigilant about checking and cleaning these problem areas.

BRUSHING

➤ Brush the sides and bottom of the pool at least once a week with a nylon-bristle brush.

➤ Take care to get corners and areas with poor circulation; these are hotspots where algae is most likely to start growing. Brushing these areas prevents algae from adhering.

➤ Use of a Wall Whale can help take pressure off back muscles while brushing the sides of the pool.

SKIMMING & VACUUMING

➤ Skim and vacuum the pool approximately once a week. Vacuuming into the filter is acceptable for most debris; for large debris, it’s preferable to vacuum on waste (if the option is available) or to use a Leaf Trap to capture large debris like leaves.

➤ Automatic pool cleaners can take over vacuuming small debris, sometimes eliminating the task of vacuuming entirely.

➤ Please note that automatic vacuums are not designed for spring cleanups or picking up lots of or large debris. You will need to manually vacuum at these times! If your automatic vacuum isn’t keeping up with the debris in the pool, help it out by vacuuming manually.

➤ Pools that aren’t powerful enough to use existing equipment can use a garden-hose-powered vacuum to push debris into a small mesh bag.

CARE OF MAINTENANCE ITEMS

➤ After using skimmers, leaf rakes, brushes, vacuum heads, etc. be sure to rinse them with fresh water, allow them to dry, and store them out of sunlight to extend their lifespan.

➤ Repair or replace skimmers and leaf rakes with holes in them. Some units have replaceable nets that pop out of a metal frame.

➤ Follow manufacturer’s recommendations on cleaning and storing automatic vacuums. While some models are safe to leave in the pool at all times, many are not!

➤ Extensive cleaning of these items should be done at closing using Stow Away.

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

➤ Check your skimmer basket and pump basket at least once a week; clean them out if you find debris in them.

➤ If you live in an area with a lot of trees, these baskets should be inspected more often.

➤ The use of a Skim-Mor in the skimmer basket can grab some debris, preventing it from getting into the moving parts of the pump.

➤ Skim-Mors are not acceptable for use on the pump basket!

➤ Regularly check your filter pressure; clean your filter if the pressure has risen 8-10psi over the pressure it reads right after being cleaned (this is known as clean pressure.)

➤ Depending on filter type, how you clean your filter will vary. Refer to manufacturer’s directions or speak to a specialist at The Pool & Spa House for advice on how to clean your filter.

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

➤ Inspect all o-rings and gaskets once a season and replace if necessary. O-rings are usually the first to fail on equipment.

➤ Check chlorine generators regularly for scale buildup and chemically clean once a season with Cell Cleaner.

➤ Check chlorinators (chlorine feeders) regularly for good flow and replace faulty parts regularly.

COVERING V. UNCOVERING

➤ Pool covers can help reduce regular maintenance by keeping debris out of the pool. However, the use of a cover can also contribute to a “set it and forget it” mindset where the pool goes days or weeks without being uncovered.

➤ During the summer, the pool should be uncovered a minimum of 24 hours over the course of a week. This allows gases to escape that would otherwise cause damage to the cover and balancing/clarity issues in the water. The cover should also stay off at least 8 hours after applying shock treatments.

➤ During the winter, it is personal preference whether or not to cover the pool with a winter cover (solar covers are not an appropriate choice for the winter) or to leave the pool uncovered.

➤ If the pool is left uncovered, regular physical maintenance on the pool should continue as needed to maintain clarity.

➤ If the pool is covered, keep it free of debris. Plant matter can tear the cover and interfere with cover pumps on solid covers, shortening their lifespan.

YOUR POOL TOOL CHECKLIST

➤ Telescoping pole that allows you to reach all areas of the pool

➤ Nylon brush

➤ Flat skimmer net for debris on the surface

➤ Deep leaf rake (with bag) for large debris on the bottom

➤ Vacuum head appropriate for pool surface

➤ Brushed vacuum head for vinyl/fiberglass

➤ Wheeled vacuum head for plaster/gunite

➤ Vacuum hose that can reach all areas of the pool

➤ Skim-Mors for the skimmer basket

➤ Stow Away to clean pool tools before storing them

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