Total Pool Maintenance Guide

Manuals, Pool School — By admin on March 4, 2011 9:02 pm

• The Proper Water Level – This is best judged by viewing the skimmer opening on the inside of the pool wall.  Water should cover three-fourths of this opening.  Never let the water level drop below this point.  If the water level is too low, the skimmer will not be able to remove surface debris from the pool.  The skimmer may also draw air into the system and require that the pump be primed.

• The Skimmer Basket – You will find this basket in the skimmer opening on the concrete deck surface of the pool.  This must be kept free of debris and leaves.  The skimmer is also a good place to add water.  Place your garden hose directly into the skimmer basket. This will allow the water to be cleaned and chlorinated before entering the pool.

• Auto Cover – Keep your auto cover and track clear of debris, leaves and toys.  Do not open unless everything has been removed.  Spray out your tracks on each side of the pool once a month with a garden hose.

• Solar Blanket – Place on your pool with bubble side down.  Do not put the solar blanket on your pool immediately following a shock treatment.  Wait for a chlorine reading below 3.0 ppm, or, to be sure, wait until the next day.  Always cover the blanket with the white plastic sheet which came with your blanket when not on the pool.  When storing for winter, use Stow-A-Way to clean and to prevent mildew.  In case of high winds, we recommend to roll your solar blanket up and wrap bungee cords around the reel.

Remove the cover/blanket every day for at least four (4) hours. Gases form between the cover and the pool water, which quickly affects the pH balance.  Low pH removes the plasticides from a liner, which in turn causes a liner to wrinkle very quickly.

• Handrails and Ladders – The handrails and ladders are in sockets that use a ½” wrench.  There are rubber bumpers on the legs of the ladder for the protection of the liner.  These must not be removed except when closing the pool for winter.

• Pool Light – To change the pool light, turn off breakers, remove the top screw in the inner ring, which releases the light fixture.  Place the fixture on the pool deck to replace the bulb.

• Slide – Occasionally the fittings on the slide become clogged and must be cleaned.

• Water Addition – Add water through the skimmer with a garden hose.  Connect a bobby (can be purchased at your neighborhood Pools of Fun Store) to the end of the garden hose to help prevent rust and metals from entering the water.  DO NOT use soft water when filling.  Keep skimmer basket in skimmer.
• Off the Wall – Use BioGuard products to clean the liner every two weeks above the water level.   Eighty-five percent of liner problems result from not keeping the liner clean.  These cleaners also work well on your steps, ladder, handrails, and slide, and kitchen and bathroom areas.

• Liner Tucks – When or if the liner slips out of the coping, replace it by pulling the liner up and tucking it back into the bead receiver.   This is a very easy procedure and should take care of your problem.
• Sump Pit – This is a critical area for concern. Your pool is supplied with a sump-pump pit, located next to the pool’s edge.  We recommend checking for water in this pit after a rain.  If water exists in sump pit, it must be pump out.  If you do not remove this water, your liner will float and the repair is costly.

WARNING – REMEMBER TO DISCONNECT ALL POWER TO POOL BEFORE WORKING ON ANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS