Getting a Pool Liner Replaced

April 25th, 2013 Posted in Pool Repairs
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Nobody likes having a leaky pool, and when your pool liner is damaged or needs replacing, it’s important that the pool repairs are handled immediately. Pool service professionals will be trained and know how to handle pool liner replacement.

The pool needs to be drained, and any decorations, lights, or other fixtures need to be removed. After the vinyl liner is removed, generally it gets cut into smaller pieces for portability, and so that they can be stored more easily for recycling.

The walls and floor of the pool should be examined for any signs of rest or discoloration. If the pool exterior has a sand floor, spotting signs of leaks is easy – just look for any discolored sand, or muddy spots. If concrete is used instead, it should be inspected for cracks, corrosion or other damage. Cracks can be fixed by being filled and smoothed.

A new liner is carried and put into place, but it should not be dragged across the surface of the pool’s bottom before being dropped into place. The skimmer holes are closed, and a vacuum is used that draws the liner down and creates a tight fit. Once a the liner is sealed, holes are cut for the drain. Now the pool can be filled – once several inches of water are in the shallow end of the pool, the liner’s vacuum is removed and the liner is resealed around the vacuum hole where the hose was used. The pool is filled with water from available garden hoses, and the skimmer holes are unblocked so that water can get in and allow the pumping system to be used again.

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Converting a Pool From Chlorine to Saltwater

April 25th, 2013 Posted in Pool Maintenance
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Saltwater pools are generally thought of as a chlorine alternative for swimming pools.  However, despite what people might think, saltwater pools don’t operate completely free of chlorine. Converting a pool from using chlorine to primarily using salt is a complicated process, and should involve the service of a licensed, experienced pool service professional.

A chlorine generator is added to the pool’s plumbing, which uses salt added into the water. This allows an amount of chlorine to keep the water clean, and means you don’t have to add any chemicals yourself. The amount of salt that’s added depends on how large or deep your pool is and how many gallons it holds.

As water runs through the chlorine generator and back into the return, it is also wired into the circuit operating the pool pump, so that both generator and pump operate at the same time. This allows salty water to run through the piping, where the salt molecules in the form of sodium chlorine are separated into both sodium and chlorine. The chemical process purifies the pool water, and after sanitizing, the chlorine and sodium are combined back together in the form of salt to start the process all over again.

Chlorine generators are normally self-cleaning, and most modern machines and systems have lights and other indicators to tell you when to change or adjust the salt levels. You can test the salt levels in your pool periodically by using test strips, which you can buy at most pool supply stores. Keeping the chlorine system running and operating is a generally painless process. If you have any other questions or if you’re thinking about converting your own pool, contact a professional pool cleaner or cleaning service for more information.

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Keeping Your Pool’s Chlorine Levels Chemically Balanced

April 25th, 2013 Posted in Pool Maintenance
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Most swimming pools used today use a combination of chemicals like chlorine, algaecide,  and more to keep the water clean, clear and safe to swim in. Knowing the right combination of chemicals to use and when to use them is key to keeping your pool cared for.

Chlorine comes in a number of applications, including tablets, bottled form, and powder. A common ingredient in tablet or stick form is called Trichlor, compared to the ingredient of the powder, Dichlor (which contains sodium). Chlorine sticks are commonly used, because of being slow to dissolve after application over a number of days. Powdered chlorine also works well, but be aware that certain types of chlorine need to be dissolved in a bucket of water first. Another chemical found in chlorine tablets is cyanuric acid, but you should be careful about how much acid is in the product. Chlorine can become ineffective if too much acid is present in the water.

One method for adding chlorine to your pool involve chlorine feeders, which float on the surface of the pool and apply the chemical gradually over time. Once the feeder is adjusted correctly, it can last for a week at least. Don’t ever dump chlorine tablets into the pool or leave them floating in the water, as this will create a high concentration of chemicals that might damage your pool’s pump or circulation system.

The final step to handling your pool’s chlorine level involve the occasional “shock treatment,” which get rid of any lingering chlorine molecules that have bound themselves to unwanted chemicals, such as ammonia. Shock your pool once a week in order to keep the chlorine levels at peak efficiency.

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3 Quick Pool Cleaning Tips

April 25th, 2013 Posted in Pool Maintenance
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Maintaining and keeping your pool clean isn’t a difficult job, but it requires you to be diligent and follow up in making sure that the cleaning is working – or that the professional pool cleaning service keeps the pool clean for you, since it’s usually better to be able to just enjoy your pool instead of having to maintain it yourself. A pool cleaning service will keep the pool clean, take care of any necessary maintenance and see that the pool’s chemical balance is checked and refreshed. But there are still some small things you can do to keep your pool sparkling.

1) Check your pool chemistry several times each week. Any adjustments should be made right away. If any chemicals need to be added, it should be done in the evening hours to prevent the sun from affecting them or the water. They’ll also have all night to do their work without being disturbed.

2) Check that the pool water’s pH level is below 8.0 at a minimum, and 7.5 if possible so that any chlorine that’s been added will work at peak effectiveness. The alkaline levels should be from 80 to 140 ppm (parts per million) in your pool. Keeping a steady, regular chemical balance will keep the water clean, bright and beautiful.

3) To keep your pool’s water circulated and as clean as possible, run the pump and circulation system from 10 to 12 hours a day in the summertime, and 4 to 8 hours in the winter. Running the pump this much means that the skimmers need to be as clean as possible, so remove any leaves, pine needles and other debris regularly, at least once a day.

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