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General
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Pool Maintenance & Water Issues
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Filtration
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Pool Chemicals
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Pool Equipment
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Spa Management
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Safety Tips
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How To's
What is Winterising?
What is Winterising?
Winterising is maintaining your pool during winter when it is not being used frequently. Winterising your swimming pool is important as it can prevent future costs of getting your pool back to normal for the summer.
- Don’t simply turn the filter off and forget the pool for 3 or 4 months. This is false economy because the time, effort and money needed to get the pool water correctly adjusted next season, will be far more than the little needed to maintain it during winter.
- Thoroughly backwash the filter. If it is a cartridge filter, clean it with Pool Pro Filter Cleaner. Ensure that the skimmer basket and the hair and lint pot are free of debris. Lubricate all O-rings with Inox Non Melt Rubber Grease available from your Pool Pro Professional. There should be a strong flow of water returning to the pool when the filter is turned on.
- Adjust the total alkalinity level with Pool Pro Buffer, if the level is below 80 – 120 ppm.
- Adjust the pH to 7.2 to 7.6 by adding Pool Pro Hydrochloric Acid if the level is too high, or Pool Pro pH Increaser if it’s too low. It is a good idea to mix the chemicals with a full bucket of water before adding it to the pool. Remember to always add the acid to the water and never in amounts of more than 500ml. With Pool Pro pH Increaser and Pool Pro Hydrochloric Acid or Pool Pro Dry Acid always add the minimum amount recommended and then check again to avoid pH bounce.
- Mix 500 grams of Pool Pro Granular Chlorine and thoroughly dissolve, and dispose of any residue left in the bottom of the bucket, or 750ml of Pool Pro Liquid Chlorine with a bucket of water and add it to the pool.
- Mix 750ml – 1L of Pool Pro Black Spot Remover (which is a long life algaecide that is specifically designed for winterising) and add it to the pool. Follow the instructions on the label carefully.
- Adjust the timer to allow the filter to operate for 4 hours each day. The total water in your pool should be turned over (filtered) twice per day or once each filtration cycle.
- If the pool is equipped with a salt chlorinator, clean the cell with a Pool Pro Cell Cleaner. Adjust the control to the ½ production setting. This is dependent on the setup of the chlorinator. Always check with your Pool Pro Professional.
- Having carried out these procedures, it should only be necessary to check the chlorine level every two weeks and empty the skimmer basket if it has a build up of leaves etc.
- Check occasionally to ensure the water level is half way up the skimmer box opening and that the Pool Pro Pressure Gauge on the filter is not indicating that a backwash is required.
This simple procedure will ensure that your pool will be ready for the first warm days of next summer.
It is important to note that in warmer climates, due to unseasonable heat or extensive rain fall, winterising is not always as effective as it is in cold climates.
See your Pool Pro Professional for additional advice.
What is Solar Heating?
What is Solar Heating?
Your Pool Pro Professional can help you if you are thinking of having Solar Heating Installed. Speak to them first.
Installing solar pool heating can increase the use of your pool by up to four months. By using heating energy from the sun, the cost to heat a pool in this way is very economical. Solar heated pools are best used in conjunction with a pool blanket which assists in retaining the heat.
The type of solar system may vary; however the basic principle remains the same. Pool water is circulated through a series of tubes (the collector) usually mounted on the roof, where heat is absorbed and the heated water returns to the pool. The collector can be of either EPDM Rubber or PVC/TPR material and is usually supplied in multiple tube “strips”. The amount of heat absorbed and the ultimate increase in pool water temperature depends on several factors which should be considered when deciding on a solar heating system for your pool. They are:
- Size or area of collector and number of tubes per sq.m (square metre).
- Naturally the major influence on the effectiveness of any solar system is its exposure to the sun, therefore, the location or positioning of the collector should be installed on the northern side of the roof.
- Control system.
SIZE OF AREA
The amount of collector used in your solar system will have a major influence on the effectiveness of the system. The size of the collector is usually expressed in square metres, and as a general rule, directly relates to the surface area of the pool.
Larger systems will be needed where a higher than average water temperature, or an extended swimming season is desired.
It is imperative that your solar system is installed by a reputable and professional Solar Company.
Your Pool Pro Professional can advise you on any further information you require.
Water Balance
Water Balance
What is Water Balance for swimming pool water?
Water balance is having the correct levels of chemicals in your swimming pool water, which includes levels for pH, Total Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness. Maintaining the correct water balance of your swimming pool is very important - if the water balance is not properly maintained, this can lead to bacteria and viruses affecting swimmers and can cause infections, as well as giving a cloudy pool or algae growth.
The main sources of disrupting the water balance are people and animals swimming in the pool. Other foreign debris such as bugs, insects and leaves also contribute to altering the water balance. Don't forget, the water balance can also be altered after heavy rainfall.
It is generally recommended that you have your swimming pool water tested at least once a week, and up to 2-3 times a week during the busy summer period. Your Pool Pro Professional will also check for other levels in your pool. When testing at home chlorine, pH and alkalinity are the most important.
Helpful Tip: Water hardness and temperature also have an effect on water balance, your Pool Pro Professional will test these for you.
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR POOL WATER IN A HOT VEHICLE ALL DAY BEFORE TAKING IT TO BE TESTED - YOU WILL GET A FALSE TEST RESULT!
You can read more information about swimming pool water quality at the Better Health government website.
How much salt do I add to a salt water pool?
How much salt do I add to a salt water pool?
The amount of Pool Pro Salt needed for your salt chlorinator to produce sufficient chlorine varies, depending on the type of chlorinator. Most chlorinator models require 3500ppm - 7000ppm (0.35% - 0.7%). Our Pool Pro and Neptune chlorinators only require 3000ppm (0.3%) salt to make chlorine. The Neptune NDC Chlorinator range also suits mineral salts.
The manufacturers’ recommendations should be strictly followed to avoid damage to your chlorinator and to insure adequate chlorine production. Replacement salt is only required to replace normal consumption and loss from filter backwashing, splash-out and any overflow due to rainfall. See the Salt Calculator table below as a guide for how much salt to add to your pool.
There are many different brands of Salt Chlorinators on the market, but when you install a Pool Pro or Neptune chlorinator, you can rest assured that you are installing a high quality, reliable chlorinator that is backed up with professional advice and servicing. Contact your Pool Pro Professional who can advise you of the correct size of chlorinator for your pool.
SALT CALCULATOR*
Using 20kg bags of Pool Pro Salt
TO RAISE SALT |
10,000L |
20,000L |
40,000L |
60,000L |
0.1% or 1000ppm |
.5 Bag |
1.0 Bag |
1.9 Bags |
2.9 Bags |
0.2% or 2000ppm |
1.0 Bag |
2.0 Bags |
3.8 Bags |
5.8 Bags |
0.3% or 3000ppm |
1.5 Bags |
3.0 Bags |
5.8 Bags |
8.6 Bags |
0.4% or 4000ppm |
2.0 Bags |
4.0 Bags |
7.7 Bags |
11.5 Bags |
0.5% or 5000ppm |
2.4 Bags |
5.0 Bags |
9.6 Bags |
14.4 Bags |
0.6% or 6000ppm |
3.0 Bags |
6.0 Bags |
11.5 Bags |
17.3 Bags |
*This is a guide only. Different brands of chlorinators work on different levels of salt.
CHLORINATOR MAINTENANCE
In addition to standard Salt Chlorinators, we offer self cleaning chlorinators in both Pool Pro and Neptune brands. Although these chlorinators are almost maintenance-free, all chlorinators require cleaning periodically to remove calcium deposits which build up on the electrodes as a result of the electrolysis process. This cleaning is usually accomplished by soaking the electrodes in Pool Pro Salt Cell Cleaner. This product, unlike some available, is not Hydrochloric Acid based. Cleaning your cell with Hydrochloric Acid based cleaners decreases the life of your cell.
NB. The manufacturers’ instructions should be strictly adhered to regarding cleaning, to avoid damage to the assembly.
OTHER CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS
The requirements for chemical balance are the same for salt pools as for traditionally chlorinated pools. Total Alkalinity, pH, Calcium Hardness and Chlorine levels should be checked regularly. Pool Pro Stabiliser (isocyanuric acid) should always be added to the pool and maintained at approx 30-50ppm, to reduce chlorine loss due to UV rays.
During periods of high bather loads or very hot weather, it may be necessary to manually supplement with Pool Pro Liquid Chlorine or Pool Pro Stabilised Chlorine to maintain correct levels. Regular super chlorination or shock dosing with Pool Pro Clean and Clear should be carried out.
WARNING: When using salt chlorinators with gas or electric heaters and heat pumps, care should be taken to ensure the production of chlorine is adjusted to suit the spa or pool, as the heater's internal components can be damaged by excessive salt and/or chlorine levels. This is particularly important when operating for extended periods during heat-up. The cell is always placed after heaters.
How do I get my water tested in-store?
Apart from bringing a water sample to the pool shop, your pool professional will need to know a few things about your pool.
How to collect a water sample from your swimming pool
- When bringing in a sample of your pool water for testing, follow these tips to get the most accurate water test results:
- Collect the water sample into a clean and sanitised bottle that has a lid - you can get water sample bottles from us that are specifically for collecting pool water.
- Take the sample from elbow-deep water as far away from the pool edge as possible.
- Do not take the sample near any return jets or the skimmer box.
- Collect the sample at least 24 to 48 hours after adding pool chemicals to the water, and at least 8 hours after it has rained.
- Once you have collected your water sample, ensure the lid is on tightly. Don't let the water sample heat up in the car as heat can alter the test results.
What else will I need to tell my pool professional?
- What size is your pool? Measure width, length and depth if known.
- How much water is in your pool? See FAQ How Do I Calculate How Much Water Is In My Pool?
- What is the Interior surface? Vinyl Lined, Tiled, Pebble, Painted, Marblesheen/Concrete, Fibreglass Resin.
- What Brand and Model is your pump? What is the hp (horse power) of your pump?
- What type of filter do you have? Cartridge, Sand, or Diatomaceous Earth.
- What Brand is your filter?