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 Frequently Asked Questions Spa Water Chemistry
Swimming Pool Water Chemistry
Soft Swim Pool Questions
General cleaning and maintenance Questions: Swimming Pools
General cleaning and maintenance Questions: Spas Common Pool Operating Instructions:
Spa Water Chemistry How often should I change my spa water? The more you use the spa, the more often you’ll change the water. Commercial Spas are often changed weekly or twice weekly. Water in Residential Spas is typically changed 3 times a year. The more frequent users may change the water monthly. The less frequent users may change the water just once per year. You should time your spa water changes to avoid cold weather conditions. How often should I be cleaning my spa filter cartridges? Frequency of cleaning depends on the amount of use the spa gets but typically, a spa filter would be cleaned every 6-8 weeks. Try to time it away from the worst weather in the winter. Also, having a spare set of filters works well also. How often should I be chemically cleaning my spa filter cartridges? You should use a chemical filter cleaner every time you clean your filters. What are the appropriate ranges for my chlorine and bromine levels? Chlorine 2.0 ppm to 6.0 ppm Bromine 4.0 ppm to 10.0 ppm How often should I check my pH, chlorine/bromine levels? This depends on the type of use and the volatility of the chemical balance. When the spa is first filled with fresh water, it may need to be adjusted more often then when it is a month old and the water balance is more stable. Commercial Spas need daily or more frequent testing. Typically Residential Spas are tested daily when first filled but weekly after balancing is achieved. Why do I have a white colored chalky substance coating the inside of my spa shell? Too high of a pH causes calcium carbonate scale to fall out of solution. You also need to be checking and adjusting Total Alkalinity also. This material gets cleaned off with a solution of acid. A visit to a store would be appropriate to get specific instructions and consulation. What is the flaky yellowish-white substance that came out of my “jets” after I drained and refilled? Bacteria that grows on the inside of the pipes. Run jets on HI for 3 - 10 minute cycles to dislodge most of the build-up before draining and refilling. There may still be some material that breaks free but it should be minimal. There is a chemical available called Spa Flush that will help so. It’s available at our stores. Swimming Pool Water Chemistry Running water backwards though the filter which washes out the dirty. When should I backwash and for how long? A minimum of weekly is recommended. Technically if the filter pressure increases 5-10 psi above the ‘clean’ pressure, it should be backwashed. This typically happens after vacuuming or during periods of ‘cleaning up the pool.’ If the pressure doesn’t increase in a week, backwash anyway. Temporarily raising the level of oxidizer or sanitizer in the water to kill bacteria that has built up a resistance to a normal level of sanitizer. How often should I be "Shocking the Pool?" Typically, the recommendation is weekly. Less frequently used pools take less frequent shocking. How can I tell if a stain is algae or a metals base stain? Place a chlorine tablet in a nylon sock for a few seconds on a stain, if it changes the stain, it is algae. Place some Dry Acid in a nylon sock and place it on a stain for a few seconds. If it changes the stain, it is mineral. Soft Swim Pool Questions A type of bacteria. Why can’t I hold a shock level? There is the presence of bacteria in the pool consuming the shock. How often should I chemically clean my filter? You should use a chemical filter cleaner every time you clean your filters. Typically, there is bacteria in the water. General cleaning and maintenance Questions: Swimming Pools How often should I brush or vacuum my pool? Vacuum when it is dirty. Brush the walls weekly is the best answer. How long should I circulate my pool for during the day and evening? This is a very difficult question to answer. The correct answer is however long it takes to keep the pool water clear and clean. This is typically 12-16 hours per day. How does algae begin to grow and how can I prevent it? You prevent algae by keeping Santizer in the water and shocking regularly. The use of algaecide in the pool will also help. When should I change my sand (filter)? Most of the time, there is no requirement for any regular changing of the sand. On Chlorine Pools, changing the sand every 10 years would be fine. On Soft Swim treated Pools, change the sand every 3 years. Why cant I hold a chlorine level and my pool is crystal clear? Typically there is some type of demand on the sanitizer that is hidden. Bacteria in the light niche, in the plumbing lines, under the ladder treads. Tips on Patching a Pool Liner
General cleaning and maintenance Questions: Spas How often should I be cleaning my spa filter cartridges? Frequency of cleaning depends on the amount of use the spa gets but typically, a spa filter would be cleaned every 6-8 weeks. Try to time it away from the worst weather in the winter. Also, having a spare set of filters works well also. First, deteremine how your filter comes apart. On older spas, the filter may be in a separate container and valves may need to be turned off. Newer spas, the filter is accessed typically from inside the spa. Turn power off to spa when removing filters as some debris may be sucked into the pump when filter is removed. A chemical Filter Cleaner is used on the Spa filter. Follow manufacturer’s instructions. Having a second filter for rotating the use of the Filter Elements significantly extends the life of the Filters. Common Pool Operating Instructions:
How do I Backwash a Sand Filter?
How do I use Sand Filter Cleaners? Two of the most common filter cleaners used for sand filters would be the GLB Filter Rinse and the GLB Filter Cleanse. Filter Rinse
Filter Cleanse
How do I Clean my Pump Basket?
How do I DRAIN my Swimming Pool? To Drain SOME water from pool. (Up to 12”)
To Drain Pool Completely WARNING: Be sure to be present whenever draining pool to avoid floating the pool out of the ground. If you have ground water present under the pool, it must be removed before draining. If you have a fiberglass pool, you should walk around on the shallow end of the pool and the transition slope during the draining to make sure that the pool does not feel like you are standing on a “waterbed”. If you have any doubt about draining the pool, don’t until you seek Professional Assistance. Generally draining the pool between December and June is more risky than between July and November.
General Water Chemistry: Acid / Alkaline balance of the pool. |