POOL CLEANING AND SERVICING

Pool Cleaning and Servicing

here are five chemical levels that every pool owner needs to keep track of:

     FC – Free Chlorine – A sanitizer which keeps your pool water safe and free of germs. Chlorine must be constantly replenished. (level depends on CYA)
     PH – Acidity/Basicity – Needs to be kept in balance to prevent irritation and protect the pool equipment. (7.2 to 7.8)
     TA – Total Alkalinity – Appropriate levels help keep the pH in balance. High levels can cause pH to rise. (60 to 120ppm, sometimes higher)
     CH – Calcium Hardness – Appropriate levels help prevent plaster damage. High levels can cause calcium scaling. (220 to 350ppm, vinyl lower)
     CYA – Cyanuric Acid – Protects chlorine from sunlight and determines the required FC level. (outdoors 30 to 50ppm, SWG 70 to 80ppm, indoors 0 to 20ppm)

Here are four other chemical levels that come up frequently enough that you should at least know what they are:

     CC – Combined Chlorine – CC over 0.5ppm indicates a problem.
     Salt – Required with a SWG (Salt Water chlorine Generator), otherwise an optional enhancement.
     Borate – An optional enhancement.
     Phosphate – Doesn’t matter, despite pool store claims otherwise.

If you’re like me and think that sounds like a lot of unnecessary work, then I suggest you hire an expert who will clean, service and maintain your pool helping to keep your home looking beautiful while also extending the life of your pump.

How you can help the pool while saving money.

     Look at the water, notice the clarity and color.
     Test the chlorine level and adjust if needed.
     Test the pH and adjust if needed.
     Examine the skimmer(s) and clean if needed.
     Use a leaf rake to remove any surface debris.

Monthly

     Clean out the pump strainer basket(s).
     Brush and/or vacuum the entire pool or run pool cleaner.
     Check the filter pressure and backwash/clean the filter if needed.
     Test the TA level and adjust if needed.
     Test the CH level and adjust if needed.
     Check the water level and add water if needed.
 

Day-to-day tip

Set your pump for 3-5 hours after 10pm and before 8am – these are your off-peak hours for PGandE – check with your own utility company for off-peak times and set your pump to suit in order to save money.

Hiring anyone to carry work in your home can be daunting. Letting strangers into your home is even more scary. While many homeowners may go into detail about pricing and materials and quality of work – they rarely ask their contractor for their license details and never ask about their possible criminal background or if their staff are felons.

For your peace of mind, all pool contractors featured on 23HourBids.com have been background checked for your safety and security. Don't let anyone into your home without the 23HourBids.com seal of safety and security.

Watch this short video below to see how we protect you, your family and your belongings.