Pool Maintenance in Wilmington, NC
POOL MAINTENANCE
It is a known fact that a swimming pool provides the perfect entertainment and the ultimate relaxation area right in your own backyard. Swimming is a fun activity and you can have a full-body workout at any time of the day, but in order for you to enjoy your pool for years to come, you will need to maintain it. Pool maintenance is important if you would like to have a safe and clean swimming pool.
MAINTAINING YOUR POOL
Pool Circulation
Pool water circulation is one of the most crucial things that you will need to check. If you have the proper water circulation, this will help prevent algae and other harmful microbes from building up in your pool. Algae growth is common during the summer or on hot weather. It is also essential to clean the skimmers and baskets and remove any debris to avoid clogging and to make sure that water is properly circulating.
During the summer, make sure that you are running your pump and filter for at least 8 to 12 hours a day and during the winter season, make sure that you are running your pump and filter for at least 4 to 6 hours a day in order to achieve the best water circulation. Angle your jets diagonally and set them at the 7 o’clock or 8 o’clock position for the best results.
How To Clean A Cartridge Filter
Basically, there are three types of filters that are used in a swimming pool, but we will look into cleaning cartridge filters and sand filters. It would take at least 30 minutes to clean your cartridge filter. The first thing that you will need to do is to check the pressure gauge. This will tell you if your cartridge filter needs cleaning. Now, If the gauge shows a reading of 8 up to 12 psi then you will need to clean your cartridge filter.
Make sure that the filtration system is turned off before you start removing the cartridge filter. This will also avoid water contamination as well as filter damage. The next thing that you will need to do is to make sure that the automatic setting of your filtration system is turned off completely during the entire cleaning process.
The first step that you need to do is to remove the trapped air from the filter by slowly turning the air relief valve. Once you have confirmed that the air is completely removed, start removing the tension clamps. You might find that the locking mechanism may be different from other cartridge filters. What you can do is follow the instruction manual included in the package of the unit to avoid damage to the tension clamps.
After removing the tension clamps, set them aside. Check the cartridge filter and look for visible damages such as cracks or tears. If the filter has severe damages, you will need to replace it with a new one. If there are slight cracks or tears or no damage at all, then you can start the cleaning process. Keep in mind that the performance of your cartridge filter will not be efficient in filtering dirt and debris if it is completely damaged.
Always use a pressurized water hose to clean the cartridge filter. This will push dirt and debris away from the cartridge. Start by working your way from the top and gradually moving to the bottom. Always make sure to clean the space between the pleats when cleaning the cartridge. In fact, you can use a cartridge cleaning tool to effectively clean the cartridge.
Cartridge filters are usually filled up with oils, sunblock, and other chemicals in the water. What you can do is soak the cartridge elements in a filter cleaner for a few minutes and you can also use dishwashing detergent to effectively remove oil and other substances. You will have to make sure that you rinse the cartridge filter properly after soaking and before reinstalling the cartridge filter.
After cleaning the cartridge filter, apply a silicone-based lubricant to the O-ring before you install the filter. This is essential to help extend the lifespan of the O-ring. The next thing that you will need to do is to install the cartridge filter and make sure it is in place. Secure the tank lid. Once everything is secure, turn on the filtration system and keep the air valve open. This will release the excess air in the tank.
Check the pressure gauge and it should show a reading of 10 to 15 psi and if you do not see any reading, turn off the filtration system and remove the tank lid and re-align the filter and make sure it fits properly. Check the pressure gauge again.
How To Clean A Sand Filter
A lot of homeowners prefer sand filters for their inground pool system. Sand filters are affordable and easy to maintain. Again check the pressure gauge and a normal reading should show 10 to 15 psi. If it shows a reading of 20 to 25 psi, you will need to backwash your sand filter. Backwashing is a cleaning technique that reverses the flow of water back to the sand filter through a hose to eliminate debris.
To start the backwashing procedure, turn off the pump power completely. The next thing that you will need to do is to check the valve. You might see different valve options such as rinse, waste, flush, recirculate, closed, and backwash. Turn the lever and select the backwash setting. Turn the power back on and run the pump for at least 2 up to 3 minutes and then turn the power off. The next thing that you will need to do is to make sure that the loose sand will settle first then choose the rinse setting. Switch the power back on and let it run for approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
Turn the power off and set the lever to the waste setting. This will help you reduce the amount of water in the pool so you can clean and vacuum the pool floor. You can use the waste setting if you do not want the water recirculating back to the pool. The flush setting can be used to drain the water from the pool. It is essential to make sure that you clean the pump basket to avoid debris or dirt from clogging the basket.
Brushing
Brushing your pool helps remove algae growth and pollen buildup. Make sure that brush the hard-to-reach areas when you are brushing your pool especially the walls, steps, and ladders.
Vacuuming
You can invest in an automatic pool cleaner or you can also manually vacuum your pool. Make sure to vacuum your pool once or twice a week.
Skimming
Skimming is simply cleaning the surface of the pool and skimming is an easier process as compared to vacuuming. You simply need to clean the top of the pool so debris will not reach the pool floor. Skimming will also avoid large debris from clogging your pool filters. Make sure to skim your pool regularly.
Water Chemistry
Water chemistry, specifically the pH levels and alkalinity is essential to maintain your pool water at optimum levels in order to achieve balanced water chemistry. The normal pH level of your water should show a reading of 7.2 up to 7.6, water alkalinity should show a reading of 100 to 150 ppm, and chlorine should show a reading of at least 1.0 to 3.0 ppm. In terms of other water chemicals, Biguanide should show a reading of 30 to 50 ppm, and Cyanuric acid must be approximately 25 up to 50 ppm.