Closing Time

Almost time to close those pools so enjoy them while you can and come back for some closing tips.

Pool Service Available in Southern MD area

I realize that everyone does not have the time to maintain their own pool. If you would like an estimate on opening, closing, or weekly maintenance please contact me at guardian@bestweb.net

Holidays and Swimming Pools

Hopefully everyone had a fun and safe holiday. Now it is time to clean up the pool area. Be sure there are no sharp or breakable objects laying around. Check your chlorine and PH levels and don't forget to backwash. Be sure your water level is correct so that your skimmers work properly.

I would love to hear from my readers so please post your questions and comments.

Balance is the key

Keeping your chemicals balanced is necessary to maintain clear and healthy pool water. For the homeowner the easiest way to balance your chemicals is to purchase a basic strip type water chemistry kit. These kits usually contain tests for chlorine or bromine level, ph level, and the alkalinity level of the pool water. This type of test kit is the easiest to use because it is as simple as dipping a test strip into the pool water and comparing the strip colors to the color chart on the bottle. They usually also contain a small pamphlet on the chemicals needed to raise or lower your chemical levels depending on what the chemical reading results.

With the cartridge style filter system the backwash procedure is not used. Instead you have to manually clean your filter grids using water and possibly a milt filter grid cleaning agent. The steps for cleaning a cartridge filter system are as follows: First turn pump off, open any air release valve on top of filter, open any drain valve on filter system allowing water to drain from filter tank. Open filter tank assembly after water has drained. Remove elements from filter tank and place in appropriate area for cleaning. Using a hose and nozzle spray filter elements off removing all debris. In some cases a mild cleaning agent must be used. If you must use a mild cleaning agent make sure you then rinse thoroughly to remove all filter cleaning agent from filter elements. Replace filter elements into filter tank, secure filter tank assembly, close any drain valves, turn filter back on. Allow filter to fill with water. When water escapes from air valve on top of filter, close air valve.

Backwashing filter equipment for DE, sand or cartridge filters. The procedures for backwashing a DE or sand filter are very similar with the exception of adding DE to the filter after backwashing and possible cleaning your recycle tank bag.

a. To start the backwash process first you must turn pump off. Place multi port valve or slide valve into backwash position. Make sure that you backwash hose is stretched out or that your recycle tank valve is in the open position. Switch pump on for approximately 2 minutes or until site glass shows clear water.

With a multi port valve system there is an additional step that does not apply to the slide valve system. On the majority of multi port valve systems there should be a rinse cycle. To initial the rinse cycle you must turn the pump off, and on the multi port selector valve change the position to the rinse setting. Turn pump back on for approximately 30 seconds. After the rinse cycle has completed turn pump off and place into filter position. Turn pump on.

With a DE filter DE must be added after the backwash cycle has been completed. The amount of DE to be added depends on the size of your filter. If a backwash recycle tank is used you must also close the tank valve before restarting the pump.

2. Manually vacuuming swimming pool. The products needed for manually vacuuming your pool are vacuum head, telescopic vacuum pole, vacuum hose that will reach the entire swimming pool area.
a. Attach vacuum head to vacuum pole and set next to skimmer or vacuum port on swimming pool. Stretch out hose to full length so that there is no twists or loops. This step will make it easier to fill the hose with water. Close valves on swimming pool pump so that only the suction valve needed for vacuuming is open. Attach hose to vacuum head and slowly feed head and hose into water making sure that hose is completely filled with water. You will know if you have done this step properly if water comes out of end of hose when done. Plug hose into vacuum port or skimmer of swimming pool. Be careful when plugging hose in that you do not pinch your fingers as the suction will be strong.

b. Starting from suction line or skimmer, push vacuum head slowly along floor of pool in a straight line overlapping approximately two inches on both the forward and reverse motions. You will find the appropriate speed according to the type of debris in your pool. Attempting to vacuum to quickly can stir up debris making it difficult to vacuum and/or clouding your water.
c. After the manually vacuuming is complete and your pool bottom clean you must first remove the hose from the suction from your vacuum port or skimmer and then remove head and hose from pool.