Swimming Pools

Facts about above Ground Swimming Pools.              WINTERIZING YOUR SWIMMING POOL Swimming Pools are easy to take care of. The chemicals and filter systems make pool maintenance a breeze. Ask about pool care when you stop in. Above ground swimming pools do not have to be drained for the winter. Simply drain enough water out to the level of the return, disconnect your hoses, add winter chemicals, add a floatation device (inner tube), cover if you prefer and you're done. In the Spring, simply reconnect your hoses, add water, treat with chemicals and you are ready to swim. Please call for more details... Above ground swimming pools Will last through a Copper Country winter. With proper winterizing techniques, your pool should last you 25 years or more. The amount of snow we get here has no bearing on this matter. Please call for details. Maintaining Chlorinated Pools (for brominated pools, please call or email me): Twice a week: Test the chlorine residual and the pH. The total and free chlorine residual should be 1 - 3ppm, and there should be no difference in the two readings. If the total chlorine residual is higher than the free chlorine residual, then chloramines are present and the pool should be shocked (see below). The pH should be maintained at 7.4 - 7.6. Empty the skimmer baskets as needed. Clean the tile or pool water line with Pool Surface Cleaner. Skim leaves, insects, and other floating debris from the pool. Once weekly: Brush and vacuum the pool surface. If the pool is residential, use one bag of Crystal Clear Multi-Shock™ per 10,000 gallons. Swimmers can re-enter the water 15 minutes after applying Crystal Clear Multi-Shock. Add a maintenance algaecide dose of Algae Terminator, Multipurpose Algaecide 60, or Algae Preventative, according to label instructions. Additional shock may be needed after a rain storm, heavy use, or exceptionally hot weather. If the pool is commercial and heavily used, shock with Breakout, Breakout 60 or Breakout 35, according to label instructions. Every two weeks: For residential pools, use Breakout, Breakout 60 or Breakout 35 to shock, according to label instructions. Monthly: Perform a complete water analysis and follow recommendations for adjustments. Every six weeks, as needed: Backwash the filter. Keep chlorinating tablets or sticks replenished in your automatic feeder, floater, or skimmer basket to ensure consistent sanitation. Chloramines or Combined Chlorine Waste products and other substances from rain, fertilizers, pesticides, and even swimmers, add nitrogen to the water. This nitrogen forms a chemical bond with free chlorine, forming chloramines -- also called 'combined chlorine'. The 'combined chlorine' molecules don't disinfect as well as free chlorine, and have a strong offensive "chlorine" odor. To measure combined chlorine, test the total chlorine and the free chlorine. If the total chlorine residual is higher than the free chlorine residual, combined chlorine is present. The combined chlorine equals the total chlorine in ppm, minus the free chlorine in ppm ( TC - FC = CC). If combined chlorine is present, it is necessary to break the nitrogen and chlorine bond with an oxidizer. To eliminate combined chlorine, add one pound of Breakout per 10,000 gallons for each ppm combined chlorine, plus one pound per 10,000 gallons of water. The extra amount ensures that the breakpoint is reached and also boosts the free chlorine residual. Pools with vinyl or other bleachable surfaces should use Breakout 35. Use one pound per 6,000 gallons for each ppm combined chlorine plus one pound per 6,000 gallons. Regular maintenance, including periodic shocking, will help prevent the accumulation of chloramines. Crystal Clear Multi-Shock is an ideal choice for residential pools. Add one pound per 12,000 gallons weekly. Swimming may resume 15 minutes after application. Breakout, Breakout 60, and Breakout 35 can also be used, either weekly or every other week. For residential pools apply one pound of Breakout or Breakout 60 per 10,000 gallons every other week, or one pound per 20,000 gallons weekly. Add one pound of Breakout 35 per 6,000 gallons every other week or one pound per 12,000 gallons weekly. For commercial or heavily used pools, use one pound of Breakout or Breakout 60 per 10,000 gallons weekly or one pound of Breakout 35 per 6,000 gallons weekly. Do not swim until the chlorine residual returns to 1 - 3ppm.