Hi there folks, Just about one more month of extreme heat left this summer (if you happen to live in the Las Vegas area). Now is the time you really need to pay attention to the health of your water. This year has been an especially tough year for pools. The winds have introduced pollen and bacteria to the water; we almost hit an all time record for the most consecutive days over 100 degrees; and well, it’s summer, swim time! If your pool is looking funky at about this time, please allow me to offer a few suggestions to get your pool sparkling again.
First thing, clean your filter. Be sure the internal components are intact. If there are no visible signs of breakdown, then after you put the filter back together do the following test: Get a cup of tri-chlor, granular chlorine, (goes under many different names, usually used to treat black algea). Pour this down the skimmer while the system is running. If you notice the granules returning to the pool through the return ports, then the filter is not functioning as it should and you need to find the source of the problem. A common problem is a cracked manifold. (The piece inside and on the bottom on which the cartridges are placed,usually occurs in a Hayward filter) If this is the case, it needs to be replaced. I’ve talked to many homeowners who have Hayward filters and insist that they do not have a cracked or broken manifold. When I go out to inspect it I discover that there are what seem to be plastic pegs sticking out through the top part. Folks, those are internal supports for the manifold and should never be jutting out. To make matters worse, the pool owners try jamming the cartridges onto the pegs. Now they have a broken manifold and cracked cartridges! The best way to prevent something like this from occurring is to clean your cartridges on a regular basis. At a minimum they should be cleaned seasonally. That would be four times a year.
The second thing to do is balance your chemicals. Shock your water if needed.Combined chlorines or chloramines are created by insufficient oxidation of nitrogen containing impurities. When eyes burn or there is a nasty chlorine smell, this is due to high levels of urine (ammonia; and everyone knows not to mix ammonia with bleach), perspiration, skin cells and body oils. There is an insufficient amount of hypochlorous acid (HOCI) or free available chlorine (FAC). Now is when you need to super-chlorinate your pool. The high amount of FAC will burn off the chloramines and return your pool to its nice, sanitized oasis you expect it to be. The amount of chlorine needed will depend on how many gallons of water is in your pool. For a quick fix, I would add two gallons of liquid chlorine plus two pounds of tri-chlor (90% AvCl) or two gallons and three pounds calcium hypochlorite (65% AvCl) to a 25,000 gallon pool. Of course these are just general guidelines. Keep the system running until the pool is cleared up and the chlorine levels return to 3.0 ppm (parts per million) or below. I like to add an enzyme additive to the water. Natural enzymes help gobble up the oils, skin cells (yuck), and other ‘stuff’ that ends up in the water. This can be done after the super-chlorination process and as a preventative for future problems. Last words. Keep your back yard gate closed and/or locked. It is very tempting for kids to wander into a yard with a pool. Though you cannot stand guard 24/7, you can make it difficult for them to access your property. Thank you for doing your part to keep kids safe.
Until the next time, Lucy
