Pool operation
We have listed several web-sites that we believe are helpful in explaining how pools work and how to maintain them. Apex Pool Service is not responsible for the content of these sites and does not endorse all information given.Running a pool on the Gulf coast is somewhat different than running one on more northerly areas. One of the major concerns with a pool is to stop algae from growing. Algae is a plant, and like most plants, the warmer the weather and the more sunlight they receive, the faster they grow.The long, hot humid summers we have make it more of a challenge to control algae than in many more northern places.
Examples of differences are:Chlorine levels; Most experts recommend maintaining free chlorine levels at 1.0ppm to 3.0ppm. In our experience it is better to maintain the free chlorine level at 3.0ppm to 5.0ppm during the swim season. (See links for chlorine.)
Pool pump run time; Although there are many variables to consider such as size of pool, type of filter, size of pump, etc. when determining proper run time, a general guideline is to run the pool at least 12 hours a day in the summer and 6 in winter. (We do not “close” pools as they do up north.) Don’t try to save to much on electricity, it’s cheaper than pool chemicals!Remember! In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice, in practice, there is.Click on the links below for information!
Examples of differences are:Chlorine levels; Most experts recommend maintaining free chlorine levels at 1.0ppm to 3.0ppm. In our experience it is better to maintain the free chlorine level at 3.0ppm to 5.0ppm during the swim season. (See links for chlorine.)
Pool pump run time; Although there are many variables to consider such as size of pool, type of filter, size of pump, etc. when determining proper run time, a general guideline is to run the pool at least 12 hours a day in the summer and 6 in winter. (We do not “close” pools as they do up north.) Don’t try to save to much on electricity, it’s cheaper than pool chemicals!Remember! In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice, in practice, there is.Click on the links below for information!
This site is a good place to start. It gives a good picture of a typical pool system.
This has an outstanding on-line pool school. Full of information and illustrations.
A good site comparing different filters. The only thing we disagree with is what is the "best" type of filter. The low cost and ease of maintenance of a sand filter outweigh any disadvantages it may have.
A good article about algae.
This is a nice article on how to clean your pool.
Basket Maintenance
Most swimming pools have two baskets that collect debris while the filter system is running. One basket is called the skimmer basket and the other is the pump basket. The skimmer basket sits in the pool skimmer, which is right next to the pool. The skimmer basket collects anything that is on the surface of the water as the pump is running. The pump basket sits in the pool pump itself. It collects anything that is moving through the pool plumbing, to protect the pump from being clogged.It is good practice to empty both the skimmer basket and the pump basket every week. You may also want to check on the baskets immediately after a windy day that may have caused a lot of leaves and debris to fall into the pool. When you empty the pump basket be sure to clean the o-ring that seals the pump lid to the pump. If the o-ring is dried out you will want to use a silicone lubricant to keep it from cracking. If the o-ring is in good condition, the pump will seal easily. Do not over tighten the pump lid as this will flatten out the o-ring.
Brushing
Brushing the walls of the pool is one of the most important steps in maintaining any swimming pool. Brushing should be done on a weekly basis to prevent algae from being able to take hold. While chlorine will easily kill algae spores in the water, the tiny pits and valleys of pool plaster can provide algae a safe haven in which to grow. Fiberglass pools are notorious for developing a slimy layer on the surface of the walls if they are not brushed. Regular brushing will also keep any dirt that has accumulated in the pool from staining the pool plaster or liner. Dirt that is allowed to sit untouched for long periods of time will cause discoloration to the pool surface.How to Brush a PoolWhen you are brushing a swimming pool, be sure that you cover every foot of the walls from the tile line all the way down to the pool floor. If you only brush the areas that you can see dirt you will not be removing the microscopic spores that can lead to an algae outbreak. The easiest way to ensure that you cover the whole pool is to do vertical strokes downward from the surface of the water, and overlap each stroke by a few inches.It is best to use a nylon bristle pool brush for weekly brushing. Steel brushes should only be used for removal of black algae or other specific treatments. Frequent use of a steel brush will damage the surface of the pool. If a nylon brush doesn't seem to work well enough on your pool, you should try a combination brush which has both nylon and steel bristles.
Skimming (Netting) a Swimming Pool
It is important to skim the surface of a swimming pool regularly. No one wants to have to dodge leaves while swimming. Using a net to scoop debris from the pool is fairly self explanatory, but there is one piece of advice that we can offer from our years of pool cleaning experience. Buy a decent net. Most pool owners use a flat net for their pool. This style of net is really meant for scooping up something that was dropped into the pool. You will never see a professional using this type of net because it is just not practical. If you are trying to remove all the leaves and debris from the surface of a dirty pool, you need a net that can hold it all.A good pool net is one that is more like a bag with an open end than a flat piece of mesh. These larger bag style nets will be able to collect all the debris from the pool without having to be constantly emptied.
testing pool water chemistry
Maintaining proper water chemistry is a very important part of your pool's maintenance program. The only way to ensure that the chemistry of the water is within the proper ranges is to regularly test the water. There are many types of test kits on the market. The style that has been proven to be most accurate for testing chlorine is DPD testing. There are also chemical test strips that will check for many different chemicals at once. These are made for convenience and not accuracy. As a service professional I can only truly recommend using a DPD test kit, but if you want to use test strips make sure that they are stored properly and not past their expiration date.Test the water at LEAST once a week. More often if you are experiencing problems or if you have a salt pool.It is also a good idea to take a sample into a pool store and let them check the water for you. Most pool stores do this free of charge.
Vacuuming a siwming pool
Almost all pools will collect debris on the pool floor. Even pools with automatic cleaning systems often have places that don't stay clean all the time. The best way to remove dirt and debris from the bottom of the pool is to vacuum. Manual vacuum heads are made for vacuuming pools. They attach to a pool pole and a vacuum hose, and can be guided by hand to pick up dirt from the pool floor.Connecting the Hose to the SkimmerIf your pool has an automatic cleaner that operates on suction you can use the same hose that the cleaner uses to vacuum your pool. If you have a pressure side cleaner or no cleaner at all, you will need to plug a vacuum hose into the skimmer to get suction for cleaning the pool. It is very important to remove all the air from the vacuum hose before you plug it into the skimmer. Pool pumps are made to pump water, if too much air is sucked into the pump it will lose prime and stop working. To remove air from the hose attach one end of the hose to the vacuum head with a pole attached. Sink the vac head to the bottom of the pool, then slowly push the hose straight down into the water. If it is done right, the air will come out the top of the hose while the water comes in from the bottom.Once all the air is removed, you can plug the other end of the hose into the suction port at the bottom of the skimmer (under the skimmer basket).How to Vacuum a Swimming PoolNow that all the equipment is ready to go, turn on the pump and move the vacuum across the bottom of the pool to suck up the dirt. It is important to keep the vacuum head flat on the bottom of the pool to maintain a good seal. The speed that you can move the vacuum depends on how much suction you have. Moving too quickly will cause the dirt to be kicked up into the water before it is vacuumed. With a little practice you'll get the feel for how to vacuum your pool.If there is a lot of dirt and debris in the pool you will need to be careful not to plug up your equipment. All of the leaves and other large items you vacuum are going to end up in the pump basket. The small stuff such as dirt will be trapped in the pool filter. If the suction decreases while you are cleaning the pool you may need to empty the pump basket or clean the pool filter. If there is always a lot of debris in your pool you may want to invest in an in-line leaf canister. This is an extra net that attaches to the vacuum line to keep the pump basket from clogging.When you are finished vacuuming the pool remove the hose from the skimmer, empty the pump basket and clean or backwash the filter if needed.