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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
1) Question:
I have been having algae problems in my swimming pool and someone suggested that I add an algaecide to the water. Well, I did that, but I still have algae. Why isn’t it working? Answer: Whenever you add any chemicals to your swimming pool, you must be careful to read the directions, and add the appropriate amount – which is not too much chemical, and not too little chemical either. This logic applies to algaecides as it applies to any pool chemical. If you added too little algaecide, you will not be able to kill the algae. If you added too much algaecide, you will not only be ineffective, but it will be a waste of money and could cause foaming of the pool water and staining to your swimming pool. If you read and followed the dosing instructions carefully that came with the algaecide you purchased, and the algae is still present, there are other things you may want to try. Since algae is a plant that grows in the sunlight, it is suggested that algaecides be added to the pool water on the morning of a sunny day for better results. Because algae is essentially feeding off of the sunlight, it will be more likely for the algae to absorb the algaecide at this time. Another suggestion is to give your swimming pool a good brushing at least once a day. Brushing the algae blooms away from the sides of the swimming pool, makes the algae weaker against the added algaecide.
2) Question: How long do I need to wait before anyone uses my swimming pool after a chemical treatment? Answer:
As with any chemical treatment, it is always recommended to read all directions carefully every time you use them. Depending on the chemical treatment, some chemical manufacturers may write in the directions exactly how long they suggest you wait before using the pool, after adding their treatment. In most cases, swimmers and bathers can re-enter the swimming pool after he chemicals have been completely dispersed throughout the pool’s water. Generally, this process takes about thirty to sixty minutes. The exception to this rule is superchlorination (or “shocking” the pool water). Swimmers and bathers must wait for the chlorine levels to drop back down to the recommended levels before re-entering the swimming pool. When superchlorination is necessary, it is a good idea to do this at night when you know that nobody is likely to enter the pool. By morning, the chlorine levels should have dropped to where they need to be, allowing swimmers to enter comfortably. 3) Question: I have pink slimy-like stuff in my pool. Someone told me that it’s algae. I had never heard of pink algae. I thought algae only came in green. What is this pink stuff and how do I get rid of it? Answer:
First, algae can come in other colors besides green. There are also yellow and black algae that can be found growing in swimming pools. The pink stuff you are referring to is actually a bacteria, and not an algae at all, therefore using an algaecide will not effectively treat this problem. There are products specifically designed to get rid of this pink bacteria by assisting the chlorine in your pool’s water. Begin getting rid of your pink bacteria problem by superchlorinating (or “shocking) your swimming pool. Turn the pool filter off and disinfect it with a special filter cleaner and allow it to soak for a few hours or overnight. Backwash the filter. While the filter is soaking, it is suggested that you take all the pool equipment you use to maintain your pool (such as hoses, nets, brushes, etc) and soak them as well in the superchlorinated water until the chlorine levels drop to their recommended level. Since it is a bacteria you are dealing with, any pool equipment, toys and accessories will need to be disinfected as well to avoid the problem from reoccurring. 4) Question:
I just recently installed a new pool, and I’m determined to attempt to do as much of the pool maintenance myself as I can, but I’m not sure how much hose I should buy? Is there are rule to follow when determining the best length of hose for a pool? Answer:
Many pool owners get nervous that they will not order a long enough pool hose for their pool, and end up ordering too much, which can be a waste of money as well as make storage that much more difficult. The “rule to follow” that you asked about is to begin at the skimmer and measure the distance to the furthest point in the pool that the vacuum or automatic cleaner must get to. Then, add 6 feet to that measurement. Many cleaners and vacuums on the market come in a kit with their own hoses. If the length of the hose that comes with the cleaner is shorter than what you calculated you need, you can buy three foot extension hose pieces. If the hose supplied is longer than you need, it is recommended that you shorten it by removing sections of hose so that you have he appropriate length for your specific pool. Doing so will make it easier to clean your pool without a tangly mess of pool hose, and it will make storage more successful. 5) Question:
My dog loves to swim, and he has so much fun swimming in our pool. I know he likes to cool off, and I want to allow him that, but I have heard that dogs shouldn’t be allowed in swimming pool. Is this true, and why? Answer:
It is best to bring your dog to the beach or let him play in a portable pool filled with hose water because a chlorinated swimming pool is not the best place for a dog. One reason is that the chlorine can dry out a dog’s skin, making it irritated. Another reason is that it’s hard to explain to a dog not to drink the water in the swimming pool while he is swimming around in there. By drinking overly-chlorinated water, your dog could hurt his esophagus. If you must let your dog in the swimming pool, there are two things to make sure you follow through with. First, keep the chlorine or bromine sanitizing levels low (about 3.0 ppm). Also, invest in a safety cover that goes on whenever you are not present. It will be hard to teach a dog not to go into a swimming pool unsupervised, and if the dog goes into the pool without anybody around to help him out, you could have a tragic accident. 6) Question:
My blond-headed sons spend most of the summer in the swimming pool and end up with green hair. Am I adding too much chlorine to my pool water? Answer:
Actually, it’s not the chlorine itself that turns swimmers’ hair green. It is the corrosion of metals that can happen in a swimming pool that stains hair as well as other things in the swimming pool. To try to prevent corrosion of metals in your pool, check regularly with a test kit to make sure that the water is balanced. When the pH level is too low, corrosion happens. In the meantime, there are shampoos on the market made especially for “swimmers’ hair”. Any shampoo containing the chelating agent ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) should remove the dissolved metals from the hair shaft. To protect the hair from turning green, some frequent swimmers have adopted the practice of massaging a conditioner into their hair and protecting it with a swim cap. Hair not only keeps from becoming green, but it will be soft too. 7) Question:
All pool temperatures to me seem so different. Is there a temperature a swimming pool should be or is it just a matter of preference? Answer:
At a certain point, a pool’s temperature can be a matter of preference. If you ask the American Red Cross, they will recommend 78 degrees Fahrenheit as the ideal temperature for competition swimming pool where people are swimming as a major cardiovascular exercise. For people who are using their swimming pool for light swimming, relaxation or playing, 78 degrees will probably feel too cold. Also, very young people and elderly people are more sensitive to the cold, and may not feel that this is a comfortable temperature for them to enjoy being in. Therefore, most pool owners try to keep their swimming pool between 82 and 84 degrees. If you want to raise the temperature of your swimming pool to a comfortable temperature and get more use out of your pool, you may want to consider adding a solar pool cover and/or a solar pool heater. 8) Question:
I’m confused as to how often I should test my pool water. Can you please give me an outline that I can easily remember for what to test and when? Answer:
How often you test your water depends on what it is that you are testing for. Well maintained pool water should only need to be tested once a week to make sure that the chemicals needed are at their appropriate levels. The only exceptions to the weekly testing rule are for Chlorine, pH, and Total Alkalinity. Chlorine levels must be tested daily, while pH levels must be tested twice weekly, and Total Alkalinity only needs to be tested twice a month if everything else tests fine and no major changes need to be made to the pool water. Remember, test kit reagents have an expiration date, so to get the most accurate readings from your test kit, make sure you restock your reagent supply each spring, be cautious not to accidentally expose reagents to each other, and never dump tested water with reagents back into the pool water. 9) Question:
Lately, my pool water has been cloudy and no matter what chemical I add to the water, it isn’t getting any better. What are some possible causes of this cloudy water problem, and what should I do? Answer:
First of all, adding more chemicals may actually do more harm than good. The more chemicals you add, the more Total Dissolved Solids are floating around in your pool water (TDSs are anything that is not water, in your pool water. This is not just chemicals you have added, but also environmental pollutants, and oils and lotions carried in by bathers). The higher the TDS level, the more chance of the water clouding, so you may actually be making your water cloudy. Bring a sample of your pool water to a local pool supply or maintenance professional to have it tested for TDS. If it’s too high, you will need to drain half of the pool water are dilute the other half by refilling it with fresh water. Other possible causes for cloudy water are poor filtration or an improper water balance. Check to make sure your filter is clear of debris, free of damage and operating properly. If your filtration is on a timer, make sure the timer is operating properly. Check your water balance. Improperly balanced water an cause more problems than just cloudy water, so it is something you want to stay on top of. 10) Question:
How do I get rid of the stains in my swimming pool? Answer:
The answer to this depends on a couple of variables. First, you must determine what caused the stains to your swimming pool. If you do not figure out what caused the pool stains, you may waste a lot of time and money attempting to get rid of the stains in a way that will not solve your problem. And, even if you are able to remove the stains from your pool, it may be done in vain when the stains reappear if the cause of the stains is not remedied. One probable cause is unbalanced water could be causing your pool to be stained. Test your pool water’s balance first. Unbalanced water could cause metals to corrode and stain pool surfaces. Check all pool equipment for corrosion. Check to make sure all pool systems and parts are intact and functioning properly. You will also need to remove a stain in a way that will not damage the pool. Brushes and chemicals made for gunite pools are much different than what you might purchase for a vinyl-lined swimming pool. If you have determined the cause of the stains to your pool, and have attempted to take the stains out accordingly, and you still have staining, you may decide your pool needs an acid wash. 11) Question:
How long should I run my pool pump and filter for each day? Answer:
The recommended time to run a pool pump and filter for the average size residential swimming pool is about 8 hours, not including the time that the swimming pool is being used. Some pool owners choose to run the pump for the 8 hours on an intermittent schedule, rather than for 8 full consecutive hours, feeling that there are then more times during the day that the water has a chance to circulate, rather than leaving 16 consecutive hours each day that the water is not circulated. This is more easily done if you install a timer to run the pool pump and filter. With an emphasis being made on energy efficiency today, many pool owners are checking their water more often and studying for themselves the minimum amount of time they need to run their pool’s pump and filter without any negative effects on the pool water. Every pool is different, from the debris that falls into one pool compared to another, the debris carried in by the swimmers of one pool compared to another, and how much direct sunlight one pool receives compared to other pools. I suggest you begin with running the pool pump and filer for the suggested 8 hours, monitor your pool water and adjust with running the pump and filter either more or less time according to your swimming pool’s needs. 12) Question:
How often should I change the sand in my sand filter? Answer:
It is recommended that about every 8 – 10 years a pool owner or maintenance professional should replace the sand in a sand filter. However, there are some exceptions to the rule. If you lie in a warm climate where you use your swimming pool for all year or the majority of the year, you will need to replace the sand in probably half that time. If you own a pool that gets more frequent use than the average pool, where swimmers are carrying in debris, oils and lotions, you will need to replace the sand in the sand filter a bit sooner than 8 years. The way you can generally tell that the sand in your sand filter needs replacing is if you find yourself running the filter for more than the usual number of hours for your pool, and the water isn’t getting any less cloudy, or if you find that you are needing to backwash the filter more frequently than usual with not much better results. 13) Question:
How often does a swimming pool need vacuuming? Answer:
The general rule for how often you should vacuum your swimming pool is about once a week. Although all pools are different, collect more or less debris and have more or less swimmers and bathers. It all depends. You may notice that your pool needs to be vacuumed slightly more or less than a week. The less people you have swimming in the pool (and stirring up and sediment at the bottom for the skimmer to collect), the more frequently you will find you need to vacuum your swimming pool. A manual pool vacuuming is good, however there are many automatic pool cleaners on the market today that can do the job for you. Some automatic pool cleaners even come with remote controls so you can have a spotless pool from the comfort of your deck lounge chair. 14) Question:
Can you give me a list of some energy-efficient tips for my outdoor swimming pool? Answer:
There are many different things you can do to save energy, and eventually money, when operating an outdoor swimming pool. As technology advances, more energy-efficient pool parts, accessories and equipment will be made available to the consumer. For now, here is a short list of things you can do now to make operating your swimming pool more efficient: • Solar pool covers will prevent evaporation as well as maintain a comfortable water temperature without using additional energy. • If considering a heating system for your pool, choose a solar heating system. They are able to provide your swimming pool with 100% of the pool’s heating needs.
• If you are replacing an old pool pump or motor, or planning a new pool design, purchase an energy-efficient pump at the minimum size required for your pool.
• Operate the pump at the minimum required time during the day that your pool needs without impacting the water condition. For average-sized residential swimming pools, many pool owners have found that they can get by with operating their pump for only six hours, compared to the previously recommended time of 8 hours. However, all pools are different, and if your pool water appears cloudy, you may need to operate the pump at a schedule closer to 8 hours.
• Purchase a timer for your pool to make sure that you are not running your pump for longer than you need to because you forgot to manually turn it off.
• Clean your intake grates of debris often. Clogged intake grates require your pump to work harder.
15) Question:
My pool water is getting a strong chlorine odor. I assume I have been adding too much chlorine? Answer:
Actually, a strong chlorine odor indicates that you do not have enough “free chlorine”. Free chlorine refers to the good chlorine in your swimming pool that is able to sanitize and kill microorganisms. The other type of chlorine in your pool is not-so-good, and it is called “combined chlorine”. Combined chlorine is not able to sanitize your pool effectively. Combined chlorine is what you are smelling when you describe a strong chlorine odor. Test your chlorine levels. It is probably time to shock the pool water. Shocking your pool will get rid of that strong chlorine odor. |
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