| Home
CONTACT ME
Homes
For Sale
Free Online Market Valuation
Free Home Tips
Free Brochures
Meet
Steven Porter
Home Services
Centre
Local
Community
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
eMail
Us
|
Home owner tips:
Good Pool Keeping
Pool maintenance requires less
work than lawn care, Less time than kitchen chores and is
more rewarding than any other homework. Household members of
a pool-owning home celebrate opening day, enjoy months of
at-home pleasure and grieve a little at the end of the
season.
Spring Cleaning:
Although many pool owners employ a service to open their
pools for the season, the do-it-yourself program promotes a
better understanding of how your pool works and an
opportunity to open the pool on your own schedule. Even if
you do opt for the "maid" to do the spring cleaning, a
review of the procedure will help you understand the
mechanics of your pool. The more you know, the easier you'll
fine routine maintenance.
Uncover:
Before you pull off your pool's winter blanket, remove the
leaves, dirt or other debris (and water, if you have a solid
cover). You are working to prevent debris from falling into
the pool water when you remove the cover.
Since you will want to clean your pool cover before storing
it for the summer season, removing debris while it is still
in place gives you a head start.
A portable pump can help you get rid of standing water on
the cover. A plastic pail with a rope tied to the handle
makes a handy bailing device.
Add Water
Begin adding water while you are cleaning the cover. It will
save time as well as raise the cover a bit, making it easier
to clean.
Clean Cover
You will need to clean the cover more thoroughly after you
remove it. Consider using your driveway to spread out the
cover. A pool cover spread over your lawn for just a few
hours of sunshine can build up heat enough to damage your
grass.
Inspect
Check your equipment. Inspect the system by checking and
cleaning all plumbing and associated equipment and replace
any parts that look suspect. Filter O-rings and gaskets
should be replaced if they appear worn. If you have
underwater lights, start the season with fresh bulbs.
Filter
Clean and backwash your pool's filter. Once the water has
reached the proper level (mid-skimmer), restart the filter
and check for leaks.
Double Shock
Over the winter the chlorine in your pool worked hard --
defending the water against algae and bacteria that
developed when and dirt got under your pool cover.
Jump-start your swimming season with a double-shock of the
water. Use twice the dose of a regular treatment.
Season-Long Poolkeeping:
Regular maintenance and checking your pool's operation is a
simple routine that also ensures safety and peak
performance.
Daily tasks take only a few minutes. Skipping them can
result in problems that will eat into your leisure time.
Daily
Test water chemistry. Keep chlorine between 1.0-3.0 PPM
(parts per million) and pH in a range of 7.2-7.8. To raise
the pH level, add a pH plus adjuster; to lower the level,
add a, pH minus adjuster to the pool's water.
Run the filter about 12 hours a day. But if pool water
appears cloudy, run the filter continuously until the water
is clear and sparkling.
Use a skimmer net to remove leaves or any other debris that
may float on the pool surface.
Weekly
Vacuum manually at least once a week; brush down the
sidewalls every other week. If you have an automatic
cleaner, run it for eight to twelve hours at least two or
three times during the week. Cleaning helps lower then
chance of an algae outbreak in the water.
Shock your pool once a week following label directions.
Clean the skimmer and pump baskets as often as you can,
especially when nearby trees are shedding seed pods and
leaves. Always check the skimmer and baskets following a
windy day or a rainstorm.
Monitor the pressure gauge. It's time to backwash whenever
the pressure is 5 to 8 psi (pounds per square inch) about
the normal level.
Backwash for one to two minutes until the backwash water is
clear, then switch to rinse for one minute. This rinses the
filter sand and eliminates any residue left on the media
that would otherwise be carried back into the pool when the
filter cycle is restarted.
If you have a DE (diatomaceous earth) or cartridge filter,
cleaning is also important. Watch the pressure gauge and
clean by following the manufacturer's directions.
Monthly
Clean pool walls regularly to remove any scum ring that may
have formed at the waterline. To simplify this task, use
Tile and Vinyl Cleaner every three to four weeks.
Time spent in regular maintenance is a good investment. It
prevents problems, which could be costly in money and
efforts as well as your time.
Closing Time
Pool owners everywhere say this is the saddest time. Sunbelt
families with to off-season maintenance routines while
northerners winterize.
Mild Climate Closing
There's no ice and snow, but there's less interest in a dip
in the pool in many sunbelt areas, as the days grow short.
These mild-climate pools really never stop operating and
owners continue to maintain their pools. But with less use,
there are fewer chores.
When you swim less, filter less often and use your pool
cover faithfully. Operating the filter for four to eight
hours once a week generally will suffice.
Shock the system. When filtration goes down, free available
chlorine needs to go up. Shock-treat to increase the FAC
level to 4-5 PPM, then continue treating about once a month
to maintain that level.
Monitor pH to keep within the range of 7.2-7.8. Correct it
with pH plus or pH minus as needed.
Cover up. Your pool cover keeps your water cleaner and helps
conserve chlorine (fewer shock treatments needed).
No heat. Continue regular cleaning of skimmers and the
strainer basket. If you don't use a pool cover, vacuum and
brush as well.
Snow Belt Closing
Where the snow flies, the pool must be protected. The better
you prepare for its hibernation the happier you'll be when
you wake up the pool next spring.
Don't drain. Although you will lower the water level, don't
drain the pool. You will save the expense of replacing water
and chemicals, and you'll also protect your pool from
pressure on pool walls as the ground water freezes and
expands during the winter months.
Fall Cleaning. Your final cleaning of the season should be
your best work. Leave the water crystal clear for a happy
opening next spring.
Check pH. Bring it to the 7.2-7.8 range.
Add a winterizing dose of granular chlorine. This dose is
usually around 6ozs per 1,000 gallons for 30ppm if the pool
is uncovered. If your pool is covered, 15ppm will do. Allow
chlorine to dissolve and circulate throughout the pool and
filter system. If you've experienced any algae, add
Algaecide.
Lower water level 1 to 2 feet below the skimmers to prevent
them from freezing when the temperature drops.
Protect your equipment to prevent damage from freezing. The
most effective way to protect pumps is to remove them and
store them where they won't freeze. (This includes the pump
on your automatic cleaner.) Any pump that remains outside
must be drained completely (check manufacturer's
directions).
Drain the pool filter, valves and liners to gauges. Refer to
manufacturers' instructions for help with each piece of
equipment.
Protect lines and skimmers. Use an air compressor (or vacuum
cleaner with blow settings) to dry out the lines. Add
environmentally friendly antifreeze approved for use in
swimming pools. Do not use automotive antifreeze. The
antifreeze solution you put in your lines this fall will
circulate through your pool next spring. Use the right
stuff!!
Shut off. The valve on a gas heater at both ends of the
lines unless your model requires leaving a pilot light on.
Again check your owner's manual.
Cover the pool. A tight-fitting cover keeps your pool free
of damaging debris and also prevents algae from growing,
which needs sunlight to thrive. Use a safety covers on your
winter closed pool is an added security feature.
The respite from pool keeping never can go too fast.
May your spring be early |
This Week's Free
eNewsletter
FREE:
"HomeAlert" Get New Listings
by E-mail
Free, Subscribe to
HomesResource News Newsletter
Relocation
Services
Refer family or
friends to Steven
Realtors, refer your clients here
Free, Essential,
Selling, Tips
Free,
"Careful Moving" Checklist
Free, Home Buyers
Guide
Free, Home Sellers
Guide
For "Sale By Owner"
centre
Putting on a Better Garage sale
Free
Vacation Checklist
Just For Fun
|
