(631) 878-7796 PO Box 521, Center Moriches, NY 11934
Tips and Guidelines
Back Washing:
How do you know when to backwash?
- Each filter has a pressure gauge and a particular pressure (pounds per square inch or psi) it is most effective at keeping your pool running efficiently. When the pressure reads more than 10 psi above the effective pressure then it is time to relieve the pressure by backwashing.
(Example: IF your filter runs efficiently at 20psi and it is reading 31psi then it is time to backwash)
Backwashing for DE filter:
2) turn large black valve (multi port) to
3) turn system on
4)
5) Turn system off
6) Turn multi-port back to filter
7) Turn system on
8) Replace DE by adding approximately 4 pounds of DE (4 coffee cans worth) to skimmer basket
At this point jets should be working
Algae Control & Prevention in your swimming pool:
One of the most common battles for swimming pool owners is prevention & control of Algae growth. But there are a few simple steps that can be taken to avoid the struggle with algae growth that many pool owners experience.
There are three primary components to creating the healthiest eviorment possible for your swimming pool!
Algae Prevention:
1) Circulation
2) Filtration
3) Water Balance
Circulation is a must. Make sure your swimming pool pump and motor are running properly and are in good order. You should be able to notice if your swimming pool has good circulation by a couple simple observations. First you make sure your pump is pulling a full basket of water. If you see a lot of air in the pump basket, there is a proble. Secondly, you can simply observe the circulation in the pool or feel the return lines with your hands to make sure water is returning to the pool with enough pressure to indicate good circulation.
Filtration is crucual. If the circulation in the pool is fine, the next step is to confirm that your pool is getting adequate filtration. Visually inspect your filter media to make sure there are not any holes or cracks in the filter cartridges or filter grids, or any of the equipment that hold the filter together. Once you verify that your filter is in good condition you will need to make sure that you are running the filter equipment for the proper amount of time each day. For the typical swimming pool, the filter needs to run for 8-10 hours a day.
Water Balance is the final piece to the puzzle. Once the circulation and filtration components are in good working order, the last primary issue is to balance and stablilize your swimming pool water. Always keep the proper amount of sanitizer in the pool and regularly test and adjust the alkalinity and PH as needed.
*keeping these three components for your swimming pool maintenance plan in check should prevent most occurrences of algae and set you free battle with swimming pool algae*
Plant-like organisms which grow in water. While many algae grow as a fuzz or slime without much visible structure, some is leafy. Other algae is hard and calcareous. Algae utilizes the process of photosynthesis to manufacture its own food. Algae comes in very wide variety of colors and forms making it adaptable to almost any condition.
Different types of Algae that form in swimming pools:
"Green" Algae which is the most common form of algae that found in swimming pools. Green algae can be free floating in the water or on the walls of the pool. Green algae has the ability to clog filters and may even cause surface damage if left untreated.
"Black" Algae forms is cracks and crevices in your pool and is moslty found in shady areas of the pool. Back Algae is frequently found in plaster finished or concrete pools. You will rarely find black algae in vinyl liner pools. Black algae is known for having a heavy slime layer. Normally if black algae is found in pools customers notice a high chlorine demand for their pool.
"Mustard" Algae is usually the most misdiagnosed form of algae. In most cases Mustard Algae can be mistaken for dirt or sand at the bottom of your pool. Mustard Algae has charectoristics to distinguish what it really is so it can not be mistaken for sand or dirt. Mustard Algae is slimy, can be brushed away very easily, but can return to the same place in the pool very quickly. Even though Mustard Algae is know for its high demand for Chlorine, it has been know to survive in high levels of Chloine. It is very important to remove the algae from all the equipment in your pool (ladders, underwater lights, steps, all pool accessories, and even bathing suits!).
"Green" Algae "Black" Algae "Mustard" Algae
Maintaining your water level
during the season:
The water level should be half way up the skimmer. This will allow the
skimmer able to skim leaves & debris efficiently.
If the water level is to high should I drain it?
Do not drain the pool unless the water level is flooding over the pool. However, make sure that water line is below the top of the skimmer in opening in order for it to skim smoothly.
I just opened my pool and the water level seems extremely low. Could there be a leak?
Most likely, no. If you have been draining your pool cover during the winter there is a chance that you have been draining the pool as well. After time, small holes form in the cover and you naturally draw water up through it while draining the cover of the pool. Just make sure that you add water to the pool to keep the level normal.
Can swimming pools stay empty during the winter season?
As a general rule, it is a bad idea to leave a pool empty at any time, especially in the winter. The liner can bubble and rip when there is no water in it. It is always best to keep a good amount of water in your pool at all times of the year!
