Spring Swimming Pool Openings
Spring Pool OpeningsPool openings in the Northeast US typically range $175-$300. You can often save money by doing some of the work yourself, i.e. removing the cover, or vacuuming the pool.Here is a list of things you can do yourself to help lower the cost of opening your pool in the Spring:*Remove, clean, fold and store pool cover. *Testing water balance; adjusting calcium, Alkalinity and pH levels *Replacing stored items; ladders, auto cleaner, baskets, plugs, gauges, etc. *Inspect and test electrical service to pumps, lights, heaters, etc. Load testing. *Lube plugs, fittings, valves and o-rings. *
Seasonal Swimming Pool Check Ups
Seasonal Check Ups O-Rings...There are many items worth checking through out the season. Simple checks are as common as making sure the pump lid o-ring is properly lubricated. Products like Jack's Lube, Liberty Lube and Magic Lube can give the proper lubrication to o-rings to help maintain longer life of the o-rings. Pump Baskets...Another thing that should be checked is your pump basket for cracks, and splits. A cracked pump basket can allow debris to clog your impeller. This can cause loss of flow, that can lead to poor filtration, and other water clarity problems.
The POOL JANITOR, FAQ on pool cleaning topics
Pool Janitor FAQ
My pool has a bathtub ring...
Floating oils, dirt & waste can combine to form a scum line around the pool; this is why tile, an easily cleanable surface, is placed at water level around the perimeter of the pool. There are many tile cleanser products available which are applied with a scrubbing pad or brush and a little elbow grease. Abrasive cleaners work well, but should be avoided in vinyl lined pools, or pools using products such as Baquacil. On vinyl pools use a vinyl cleaner such as Armor All Cleaner (not conditioner), and on Baquacil treated pools, use a cleanser made without chlorine.
Cleaning the scum inside of the skimmer frequently will help to keep the tile cleaner, as scum sticks itself to clean plastic. Using enzyme products can reduce or eliminate the amount of attention to the scum line as the work to "eat" scum producing substances.
The floor of my pool is covered in leaves...
Put on your back brace, heavy leaf removal can be hard work. At this stage, vacuuming through the skimmer or using automatic pool cleaners are very ineffective methods; both will clog up too quickly. The method of choice for the pool janitor is using a leaf rake attached to a telescopic pole. Slowly push the leaf rake along the floor, scooping up leaves into the bag. Work the pool in sections, trying not to create leaf-stirring currents. It takes practice and a strong back, but it can be very effective.
Another method is the use of a Leaf Bagger, a product by Jandy Industries. Attached to a telescopic pole and a garden hose, the Leaf Bagger uses venturi action to suck leaves up into a large attached bag as you roll the unit over the leaves. It's slow going, but you won't have to stop to empty the bag too often.
Pool winterization. Tips on closing a swimming pool.
Fall Pool Closings Snowbelt1. Balance the water chemistry:Approximately 3 - 7 days prior to closing the pool, adjust your water balance within the ranges below: *pH: 7.2 - 7.6 *Alkalinity: 80 - 120 ppm *Calcium Hardness: 180 - 220 ppmThen, shock the pool with a Chlorine Shock or a Non-Chlorine Shock, at least 1lb per 10,000 gallons (follow package directions). Allow the chlorine level to return to 1.0 - 3.0 ppm before adding any winter algaecide and your pool cover. Chlorine tends to break down both algaecides and [floating] pool covers.
Expansion Joint Caulking around swimming pools
Expansion Joint CaulkingIt used to be that all pools built had the expansion joint between the perimeter coping and the pool deck caulked or filled with elastomeric sealant 30 days after the concrete was poured. This was holding up the checks to the builders, I was told, so they sort of stopped mentioning it.It is well worth mentioning. The expansion joint is an important interface between the pool and the deck. These two independent structures need to remain independent. Keeping debris out of the joint ensures that the joint is "true" and the two structures are not in contact with each other. When they do come in contact, the pool may develop a crack in the tile, which is usually an indication that the "beam" has cracked all the way through. The beam is defined as the top 6 or 8 inches of the pool wall which holds the tile & coping. Beam damage gets worse with time, eventually crumbling, requiring beam reconstruction. To avoid this costly expense, caulk those joints! Caulking also keeps out water which can freeze and expand. This can damage the coping, beam and eventually, the tile.
How to acid wash a swimming pool
Acid WashingAlso called a drain & clean, an acid wash becomes necessary if the pool has turned into the "black lagoon". This may occur if the winterizing process is not done properly, or if the pool has been stagnant for a period of time so that algae has taken over. If you notice scaly, man-phibian creatures splashing around out back, it's probably time to drain & clean.Our general rule of thumb for determining the need for an acid wash is: if you can see the bottom of the pool (the floor) then you can bring it back with chemicals, labor and filtering. If the floor is not visible, the cost of the chemicals and labor will generally be greater than the acid wash charge, and take much, much longer. Also, extensive algae blooms will stain plastered pools, making an acid wash desirable.
Pool Cleaning Equipment
Cleaning EquipmentAlong with the joy, excitement and long lost relatives that come with pool ownership there are also the maintenance challenges. There are many tools and items available to make your pool owning experience less troublesome. Even if you have an automatic cleaner, you will need the basic equipment. Telescopic pole, skim nets, pool brushes and a test kit are a must for any pool owner. The following is a glossary with descriptions of swimming pool and spa cleaning equipment.