PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

Proper testing and care insure years of pool pleasure, although neglect can cause serious problems and needless expense. Algae, stains, and scaling can be prevented. The constant control of chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and hardness are essential to the prevention of bacteria, scale, and corrosion. Your pool will differ from your neighbor’s pool. Differences in size, water temperature and usage make each pool unique. Do not compare your pool to your neighbor’s.

Run Filter: 8 -10 daylight hours each day (May through September)
4-6 nighttime hours each day (October through April)

The filter should be run a minimum of 8 hours a day during daylight hours in the summer. For most pumps, this will allow one good turnover of the water. Insufficient filter operation is one of the most common causes of cloudy water. The filter media should be chemically cleaned every 6-8 weeks.

Brushing Pool: 3 times per day first 14 days
Once per week thereafter and after storms
Brush tile at least once a week.

Brushing is essential, even for pools that have an automatic cleaner. Without brushing, air pockets form on the walls and bottom and promote algae growth. Brushing also clears debris and the early stages of algae growth from these air pockets and cleans off the surface to allow the sanitizer access to any organic growth that may be present on the walls. Brush to the deep end of the pool toward the main drain.

Test Chlorine/pH: 2-3 times per week (home test)
Once a week in winter

Water Analysis: Pool water should be completely tested by a pool store / professional for all balancing parameters every 4 to 6 weeks during the swimming season. Be sure to ask the pool store to test for metals in the water and salt levels if you have a salt generator system.

Shock Pool (Superchlorination): Every 2 weeks during summer. (May – Sept)
Once a week if you have a heavy bather load. Superchlorinate pool immediately after a heavy rain, unless you have a salt or sanitizing system. Only superchlorinate with heavy rain or heavy use.

Clean Filter: Cartridge - +10 lbs. above clean psi or every 2 weeks
DE - +10 lbs. above clean psi or every 8 weeks

Special Note: Always remove all dirt and debris from all pool surfaces before you shock the water to prevent staining. Remember to also clean out skimmer baskets, ADR canister, filter baskets, etc., on a regular basis.

Energy-Saving Pool Tips
Provided by Pentair Water Pool and Spa

To support your efforts to make your pool and spa as economical and eco-friendly as possible, below are some changes you can make that can help conserve energy and water while reducing your operating costs.

Heating & Heat Loss

Reduce heat loss by using a pool cover. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, savings of 50%-70% are possible.
Fencing, hedges, landscaping and cabanas that shelter your pool from prevailing winds will further reduce heat loss.
If you use your pool only on weekends, reduce your heater or heat pump thermostats settings by eight to ten degrees during the week.
When leaving for vacation for more than a week, unless freezing conditions are expected, turn off the pool heater or heat pump.
According to the National Swimming Pool Institute and the American Red Cross, the most healthful swimming temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Reducing your heater or heat pump thermostat to maintain a 78 degrees Fahrenheit or lower temperature will also help conserve energy.

Circulation

For good water maintenance, circulate water through filter only once per day. Additional cycles are generally unnecessary and waste energy.
Keep intake grates clear of debris. Clogged drains require the pump to work harder.
To obtain maximum filtration and energy efficiency, clean your filter regularly, as required.
If you have a variable speed pump, run the filter pump longer at lower speed/flow for energy savings and you make sanitation chemicals more effective when circulation intervals are extended. This improves water quality with less total chemical consumption.

What do I need to know about the plaster finish?

Plaster is not intended to be a slick finish. It is designed to provide you with a non-slip, long lasting pool interior.
A plaster finish is not perfect or flawless. You will be able to see some indications of its "hand troweled" workmanship. The plaster mix normally has some small speck of other colors.
An underwater light will magnify the trowel marks and cast shadow, giving the bottom a "wavy" appearance, This is a normal effect on all plastered pools.
It is normal for some small "check cracks" to appear in the plaster surface. These do not represent any deterioration in the integrity of the plaster nor will they cause any water leakage.
Your plaster surface may naturally have some "streaks" or "blotches," A perfect, uniform all white surface cannot be obtained with plaster. It is also normal for some mild discoloration to appear in parts of the pool as it ages. A mild acid wash of the plaster surface will generally remove most discoloration and stains that may build up over time. Please contact Swimcraft Pools for more details.
Never drain your pool without professional supervision. The drying effect of air and sun can cause extensive damage to the plaster. Likewise, your pool is subject to extensive damage due to "floating" any time your pool is drained.