Pool Maintenance FAQ

Maintenance FAQ’s

Q) How do I remove calcium deposits from my tile?

A) Calcium deposits usually originate from grout or high calcium hardness. To remove, scrape it off the tile. Another method for removing calcium deposits is the pumice stone. Pumice is a light porous glassy lava stone that can be rubbed over a pool stain to remove it. You can get a pumice stone that can attach to your telescopic pole or a pumice stone that has a handle you can swim with.

Q) How often should I change the water in my spa?

A) It is a good idea to completely drain and refill your spa every 8 weeks. If you do not use the spa as often, you can generally go 12 weeks between water changes. Making sure that your spa has fresh water will also guard against the possibility of the heater coil corroding prematurely.

Q) Should I brush my pool regularly?

A) Brushing your pool will keep dirt from occupying the small pores and starting small organic farms. Steel bristled brushes, called algae brushes, are very effective. Remember to never use a steel brush on a vinyl lined pool. Done regularly, brushing can also reduce the time spent vacuuming. Brush from the shallow end towards the deep end in overlapping strokes. Circle the pool towards the main drain, and much of the dirt will be swept up into the filter in this manner.

Q) How do I keep debris from floating on top of my pool?

A) You should first purchase of a quality leaf rake. There are also chemical products which are used to keep surface tension high, moving small debris to the sides of the pool. Another possible problem could be skimmer. Make sure it is operating properly so that it creates a draw or "waterfall" into the skimmer basket. Also check that the water level is not so high that it is above the opening of the skimmer. Also be sure to trim some of those trees and bushes near the pool.

Q) How do I get rid of the ring around my pool?

A) Tile is placed around the perimeter of the pool because it is a surface that can be easily cleaned. There are many tile cleanser products available which are applied with a scrubbing pad or brush. Remember to never use abrasive cleaners on a vinyl pool. You can also try to frequently clean the inside of the skimmer. You can also use an enzyme product designed for use in swimming pools such as SeaKlear Enzyme Klear that eliminates oil, lotions and organics in the pool and spa.

Q) What is the best way to clean my discolored coping and deck?

A) Leaves and dirt may stain concrete. Pressure washing can remove these soils and restore original brightness to concrete and coping stones. A light acid washing on the coping stones also works very well, and algae or mildew can be lifted by scrubbing with a paste of bleaching agent.

Q) How do I clean my stained plaster?

A) Dirt, rust and other minerals can stain the finish of your plastered pool. If the stain is organic; from leaves for example, a small amount of granular chlorine added at that location and allowed to settle on the stain will usually remove it instantly. Other non-organic stains will not be removed by chlorine. Do not place chlorine tablets directly into the pool...they will stain and etch the plaster. If chlorine doesn't work, acid usually will. Draining and acid washing will remove a thin layer of plaster (and stains), exposing fresh, new looking plaster beneath. Stains can also be sanded with pumice stones or wet/dry sandpaper. A recommended stain control product should be used on a regular basis.

Q) How often do I need to test my pool water?

A) Weekly testing works for most backyard pools, but the best bet is to test your pH and chlorine levels at least twice per week. Chlorine should be fed continuously through a chemical feeding device to maintain a consistent level. It is recommended that your pool water be tested twice monthly by a swimming pool professional.

Q) Why is there a strong chlorine smell?

A) A strong chlorine smell, contrary to what may seem logical; often means chlorine needs to be added. High levels of chloramines emit a strong chlorine smell, and chloramines form when chlorine interacts with introduced contaminants, like sweat and body oil. In this scenario, chlorine needs to be added to sanitize the water and get rid of the chloramines. This should be done at least once every two weeks.

Q) Why is my pool cloudy, and how can I clear it up?

A) Several causes of a cloudy pool could be the pH is not in proper range, high amounts of calcium or the filter needs to be cleaned. Make sure all levels are within proper range and then clean the filter. If you have a sand filter, this doesn't necessarily mean to replace the sand but clean the filter with a filter cleanser. Low chlorine and poor circulation could also be contributing to cloudy water.

Q) When do I need to shock my pool?

A) Routine shock treatment is necessary to destroy water contaminates that reduce the efficiency of the disinfectant or sanitizer. Contaminates like hair spray, suntan oil, cosmetics and other organic materials react with chlorine and cause eye or skin irritations and an unpleasant chlorine odor. Most often pools are inaccurately accused of having too much chlorine when this problem is present. This should be done at least once every two weeks.

Q) How long do I have to wait to use my swimming pool after chemical treatment?

A) Generally it is safe to use your pool after chemicals have dispersed throughout the pool, usually 15 minutes to one hour. If shocking your pool, wait until the chlorine levels drops to recommended levels.

Q) Do I need to drain my pool each year?

A) No. Pools can handle cold temperatures better when partially filled with water as a buffer. A drained pool can also crack or pop out of the ground because of pressure from ground water.