Your PoolIt's important to make sure you properly maintain your water in your pool. When your chemicals are not properly balanced it could result in cloud water, itchy skin or even algae growth in your pool. Testing your water on a regular base will help determine which chemicals you will need to help keep it balanced and clear.
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What is pH?
Pool pH refers to the measure of acidity in your pool water. The pH in your pool can range from 0-14. It is recommended to keep your pool between 7.2-7.8 range since is closely matches your body that sits at 7.4. Going over or under recommended levels will make your pool water acidic. You can easily test you water by bringing it into us to be tested or using at home test kit. Testing your water on a weekly basis will help you maintain your waters pH levels. Total Alkalinity also plays a role in your pH levels. Alkalinity will act as a buffer for your pH. Your alkalinity also plays a role in helping prevent staining and corrosion that can happen in your pool.
What are Chlorine Pool Pucks?
Pool pucks are used in your pool to help keep your water sanitized and help with the need of chlorination your pool on a daily basis. They dissolve story and help disperse chlorine in your pool. When using an automatic chlorinator you can control how much of the pucks are being dissolved into your pool, keep in mind that your pump needs to run for your automatic chlorinator to work. If you don’t have a chlorinator attached to your pool you can use a floating dispenser to hold your pucks in your pool. Never put the pool pucks into your skimmer as it will eat away at your pumps gaskets and your fittings. If you are using a floater for your pool make sure you remove it when swimmers are in swimming.
The Use of Calcium in Your Pool
It’s important to make sure your calcium levels are at ideal ranger for your pool (between 150-280 ppm). This is to help prevent corrosion of metal equipment and etching of plaster. If your levels are not proper you can also end up with staining in your pool. If your levels are to low add in the recommended amount of Cal-Plus to bring your levels back to ideal range in your pool.
Why Should I Stabilize My Pool
Chlorine is burnt off during the day by the sun’s ultra violet rays. When this happens your chlorine levels drop and you would need to bring these levels back to the recommended amounts daily. To prevent this from happening you can add Stabilizer to your pool to stop the sun’s ultra violet rays absorbing the chlorine. It is recommended to keep your stabilizer between 30-50 ppm.
Pool pH refers to the measure of acidity in your pool water. The pH in your pool can range from 0-14. It is recommended to keep your pool between 7.2-7.8 range since is closely matches your body that sits at 7.4. Going over or under recommended levels will make your pool water acidic. You can easily test you water by bringing it into us to be tested or using at home test kit. Testing your water on a weekly basis will help you maintain your waters pH levels. Total Alkalinity also plays a role in your pH levels. Alkalinity will act as a buffer for your pH. Your alkalinity also plays a role in helping prevent staining and corrosion that can happen in your pool.
What are Chlorine Pool Pucks?
Pool pucks are used in your pool to help keep your water sanitized and help with the need of chlorination your pool on a daily basis. They dissolve story and help disperse chlorine in your pool. When using an automatic chlorinator you can control how much of the pucks are being dissolved into your pool, keep in mind that your pump needs to run for your automatic chlorinator to work. If you don’t have a chlorinator attached to your pool you can use a floating dispenser to hold your pucks in your pool. Never put the pool pucks into your skimmer as it will eat away at your pumps gaskets and your fittings. If you are using a floater for your pool make sure you remove it when swimmers are in swimming.
The Use of Calcium in Your Pool
It’s important to make sure your calcium levels are at ideal ranger for your pool (between 150-280 ppm). This is to help prevent corrosion of metal equipment and etching of plaster. If your levels are not proper you can also end up with staining in your pool. If your levels are to low add in the recommended amount of Cal-Plus to bring your levels back to ideal range in your pool.
Why Should I Stabilize My Pool
Chlorine is burnt off during the day by the sun’s ultra violet rays. When this happens your chlorine levels drop and you would need to bring these levels back to the recommended amounts daily. To prevent this from happening you can add Stabilizer to your pool to stop the sun’s ultra violet rays absorbing the chlorine. It is recommended to keep your stabilizer between 30-50 ppm.
Opening Your Pool
When pool season has started and your ready to open your pool keep in mind these steps when your ready to open. At the start of spring you winter cover maybe covered with leaves and other things that have fallen during the fall and winter season. You will also have a large build up of extra water that has accumulated over the months. Use a submersible pump to pump off that extra water off your cover. If you have an in ground or able to use a leaf rake to remove any leaves that might be on top of the winter cover. Once this is done get someone to help you remove your cover off your pool. If you are removing it off an in ground pool start at the deep end to make it easier when you pull it off. If you have water bags you can empty the bags, but make sure you are not dumping them back into your pool. Take your winter cover and water bags, lay them out on your lawn or drive to clean up and dry before storing for the season. When you lay out your cover make sure you are not burning your lawn, they can get hot!. Make sure everything is dry before storing them for the summer season. If you have an in ground ladder you can put your ladder into the pool for the season. Make sure your ladder bumpers are in place before placing the ladder in. Secure your ladder and make sure it's in the proper place.
Now you can remove all the plugs from your return jets and start replacing your eyeball fittings. Remove all winterizing from your skimmer and put the basket back in. Make sure you put your cap back in on your filter and reconnect your pressure switch for your heater (if you have one).Fill your pump and seal it with the lid. You should be ready to go! If you have any concerns or questions make sure you consult your pool expert before going ahead to open your pool. Don't forget to grab your chemicals for your pool opening!
Now you can remove all the plugs from your return jets and start replacing your eyeball fittings. Remove all winterizing from your skimmer and put the basket back in. Make sure you put your cap back in on your filter and reconnect your pressure switch for your heater (if you have one).Fill your pump and seal it with the lid. You should be ready to go! If you have any concerns or questions make sure you consult your pool expert before going ahead to open your pool. Don't forget to grab your chemicals for your pool opening!
Your Spa
Maintaining your spa water is just as important as keeping your pool water properly balanced. With your spa you can either run Chlorine or Bromine. If you were using Lithem for your spa you can use SpaPlus for your alternative. When using Chlorine and Bromine your levels should be between 3-5 ppm. Make sure you read all containers and labels before adding in chemicals. If you are not sure consult your spa specialist. Testing your water on a regularly and keeping your water balanced will prolong the life of your spa.
pH and Alkalinity
It's important to keep your pH levels 7.2-7.6. When levels go below 7.2 you run the risk corrosion of your equipment and irritation of your skin. Your sanitizer with also dissipate more rapidly. When this happens you can add in pH Booster to bring up your pH. When your pH is too high it promotes scaling on the heat exchange, cloudy water, and reduces the effectiveness of your disinfecting agents. Using pH Reducer will bring your pH levels back to where you need it. Your alkalinity acts as pH buffer and stabilizer and should be kept between 80-150 ppm. When Alkalinity is to low it will cause you pH levels to wonder and not be proper. When this happens you need to Alka Rise to bring it back up. When you Alkalinity is to high it will cause cloudy water and scale formation in the tub, when this happens use your pH Minus.
Calcium Hardness
Just like a pool Calcium can cause havoc on your equipment and spa if not kept at the proper range. It is recommended to keep your spa between 150 ppm to 280 ppm. When levels are low your water can be to corrosive and it can cause staining to the surfaces. When Cal is to it can cause scaling on your pipes. cloudy and staining of the spa. Using Cal-Rise and Prevent II will help keep you calcium balanced and your water shining!
When it comes time to empty your tub and replace your water (about 2-3 months) add in a Whirl Pool Rinse to give your jets a good cleaning before emptying your water. Once you have added in the Rinse and emptied your tub give it good wipe down and refill it with fresh water.
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