Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.