DIY Orlando Pool Repair and Care ~ Step 9: Adjust Pool Chemistry

July 9, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

Take your written test results from Step 2: Test Water and enter them into the Water Balance Calculator. If you do not know the volume of your pool, you will need to calculate that.  By following the link, you will find a calculator to help you with that too.

Follow the simple instructions for the Water Balance Calculator and get a thorough water analysis and prescription. The prescription will give a detailed list of which chemicals need to be added to balance your pool water including the amount you need to add specifically for your pool. Add the prescribed chemicals.

You should always add the chemicals last after all of the other maintenance has been completed.

You are finished!  Great job cleaning your pool yourself.

Back to Step 8: Clean Filter

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DIY Orlando Pool Repair and Care ~ Step 8: Clean Filter

July 9, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

Proper filtration will take care of cloudy water and rapid algae growth. The more filtration the better, especially when the water gets warm.

For a screened-in pool under 20,000 gallons you will need to run your filter at least 8 to 10 hours a day. For larger pools, unscreened pools or pools with frequent and multiple users, 12 to 14 hours per day is recommended.

Most filter manufacturers recommend cleaning your filter using the pressure dirt loading method. To do this, clean the filter and record the pressure gauge reading when the pump is on and water is at optimal flow. When your filter gauge reads 8–10 PSI above the clean pressure reading, you will need to clean your filter. For Example: You clean your filter and record a pressure reading of 15 PSI, check your pressure weekly and when your gauge reads 23 PSI you need to clean your filter. This dirt loading method actually polishes your water giving you a sparkling pool.

Instructions for Cleaning Cartridge Filters:

  1. Turn pump off.
  2. Unscrew filter lid.
  3. Pull out filter element and use a hose to spray the debris off element.
  4. Reinsert filter element, being careful of auto air relief tube running through the middle of the tank.
  5. Clean and lubricate filter lid o-ring.
  6. Screw on lid.
  7. Turn on pump.
  8. Record pressure reading.

Instructions for D.E. & Sand Filters:

  1. Turn off pump.
  2. Push down and turn multi-port valve to backwash or pull up plunger on push/pull valves.
  3. Roll out blue discharge hose.
  4. Turn on pump and run until water is clear (approximately one minute).
  5. Turn off pump.
  6. Push down and turn multi-port valve to rinse or push plunger back down.
  7. Turn on pump for about 30 seconds.
  8. Repeat Steps 4 – 7 three or four times.
  9. FOR DE FILTERS ONLY, with multi-port valve in rinse position and skimmer on ¾ to full power, add 1 lb of DE per 5 sq. ft. of filter area into the skimmer (examine label on DE tank for square footage). Let pump run for one minute to pull DE through the pump and into filter tank.
  10. Turn off pump.
  11. Push down and turn multi-port valve to filter.
  12. Turn on pump.
  13. Record the pressure gauge reading when water is at optimal flow.

Note for DE Filters: At least once a year you will need to take the tank apart, clean it out and degrease filter grids. This service usually takes about an hour for a professional.  If you have never done it before schedule a service call with Professional Poolcare by calling 407-492-POOL (7665). We will take care of it for you or walk you through it so you can handle it yourself in the future.

On to Step 9: Adjust Chemistry
Back to Step 7: Empty Pump Basket

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DIY Orlando Pool Repair and Care ~ Step 7: Empty Pump Basket

July 9, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

Steps to Empty Pump Basket:

  1. Turn pump off at the timer.
  2. Unscrew the clear lid on the pump.
  3. Empty the pump basket and be sure not to let leaves and debris fall into the pump trap when removing the basket.
  4. Clear any debris from bottom of the trap to avoid clogging the impeller.
  5. Make sure the pump lid o-ring is clean and lubricated with an o-ring lubricant.
  6. Re-insert basket and lock into place.
  7. Screw on the clear lid (not too tight).
  8. Turn the pump on.

The pump should prime up within three to four minutes. Watch the water flowing into the pump trap. You should see the trap filling up with water as the flow returns to normal.

If you do not see any water movement you will need to turn pump off, unscrew lid, add water to the trap, check o-ring for cracks and dirt, reseal the lid and turn pump back on.

On to Step 8: Clean Filter
Back to Step 6: Skim Surface

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DIY Orlando Pool Repair and Care ~ Step 6: Skim Surface

July 9, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

Skim the pool water surface using a net. As you make your way around the pool, move the net from the wall out to the center of the pool and back in overlapping rows. Ensure that the water is always traveling into the mouth of the net.

I recommend using a leaf rake net because it holds much more debris than a flat skim net. It also keeps the debris from falling back into the pool.

On to Step 7: Empty Pump Basket
Back to Step 5: Brush Walls

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DIY Orlando Pool Repair and Care ~ Step 5: Brush Walls

July 9, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

Attach the pool brush to the pole and brush the walls, steps, and areas that are hard to reach for the auto vacuum. Brush all areas where there is visible algae growing.

You should brush the walls in a vertical motion from the tile line down and across the floor toward the main drain.

Use a tile brush and tile soap to clean areas on the tile at the waterline. Moving the brush from side to side at the tile line as you make your way around the pool is the easiest way to clean the tile.

On to Step 6: Skim Surface
Back to Step 4: Vacuum

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DIY Orlando Pool Repair and Care ~ Step 4: Vacuum

July 9, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

If you have an automatic vacuum with a leaf bag or container, turn off the pump and empty the bag or container. If you don’t have an automatic vacuum it is highly recommend that you get one (click here for vacuum recommendations). This will cut your pool care chores to a bare minimum and keep your pool looking clean for those surprise guests.

Never vacuum piles of leaves that may clog lines. Use a Leaf Rake to remove the majority of leaves first.

To manually vacuum the pool:

  1. Remove the skimmer lid and basket.
  2. Turn pool pump on and skimmer valve on full or ¾ power.
  3. Attach the vacuum head to the pole.
  4. Examine both ends of the vacuum hose (one end should swivel and one end is stationary); attach the swivel end of the vacuum hose to the vacuum head.
  5. Extend pole and put the attached vacuum head with attached hose in the bottom of the pool (keep a hold of the pole and the rest of the hose).
  6. Starting at the vacuum head, you will need to feed the hose into the water to fill the middle of the hose up with water.
  7. Insert remaining, stationary end of the hose into the skimmer and begin vacuuming.
  8. After you are finished vacuuming re-insert skimmer basket and lid.

Note: If you need to drain water or if there is heavy debris in your pool now would be a good time to vacuum to waste. This will help keep your filter clean by pumping the debris out of your waste line (if one is plumbed) and keeping it out of your filter.

On to Step 5: Brush Walls
Back to Step 3: Empty Skimmer

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DIY Orlando Pool Repair and Care ~ Step 3: Empty Skimmer

July 9, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

Near the perimeter of your pool you should have one or perhaps two (typically white) skimmer lids. Lift the lid, pull out the skimmer basket and empty. If your pool is screened in, usually checking this once a week is sufficient. If your pool is not screened in you will need to check and empty the basket more frequently. Leave the basket out if you will be vacuuming.

Just a note of caution when emptying baskets: I have found frogs, lizards and snakes in skimmer baskets (alive and dead). Be certain to look into the basket before reaching in with your hand. It is also best to place basket debris far away from your pool or it will blow right back in you pool.

On to Step 4: Vacuum
Back to Step 2: Test Water

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DIY Orlando Pool Repair and Care ~ Step 2: Test Water

July 9, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

With internet access and test strips, you can now perform swimming pool water tests at home in seconds. This eliminates the need to take a water sample into your neighborhood pool store. Test strips easily test every aspect of your pool’s chemistry. I recommend AquaChek 6 to give you a full spectrum of chemical readings.

Pool chemistry does not need to be an exact science and the test strips will offer sufficient readings.

Tests to Perform:
Weekly: Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine and pH
Monthly: Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness and Cyanuric Acid
The AquaCheck 6 test strips can test for all of these readings in 15 seconds.
Please write down your readings and save them for Step 9.

Regardless of which brand you use, please read the test strip or test kit manufacturer’s directions and follow them explicitly. Take note of the correct depth to dip the strip or take the sample, the time to immerse and wait for the reaction and whether or not shaking the water off the strip is recommended. Failure to follow directions can result in inaccurate results. Watch this Water Testing Instructional Video to see how easy using a test strip can be. (video coming soon)

It is important to note that many liquid testing reagents, test strips and chlorine tablets have a limited shelf life. Keep them out of the sun in a cool dry place. Both the test strips and chlorine tablets have a shelf life of about two years and should have an expiration date on the packaging. Liquid test kit reagents have a shorter shelf life of three to six months and typically do not have a printed expiration date. You may want to note the date of purchase with a permanent marker to give yourself a guideline.

On to Step 3: Empty Skimmer
Back to Step 1: Add Water

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DIY Orlando Pool Repair and Care ~ Step 1: Add Water

July 9, 2009 — PeteThePoolGuy

One of the most important things in maintaining your pool is keeping the water at the proper level. 

For most pools the correct water level is at the middle of the tile.

Find the skimmer opening (somewhere along the tile line) and ensure the water is at least half way up the opening. Improper water level can cause your pump to run erratically or not at all. If you will be cleaning your D.E. Filter, add an extra two to three inches of water for the backwash cycle.

I recommend attending to this step first because you can turn on your hose to add water and your pool will be filling while you move on to cleaning or other maintenance tasks.  If you plan to add water while you are in your home, remember to turn on a timer or alarm.  Once inside, it is easy to forget that your pool is filling.

On to Step 2: Test Water

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