With the arrival of spring and unseasonably warm temperatures, it’s very important to be vigilant with your pool’s water chemistry and filtration system. Regular maintenance is simple, inexpensive, and will help keep your pool in good working order. The two main things you’ll want focus on maintaining are water chemistry and filtration. Here are some guidelines to help you get started.
Now is the time to adjust your pool equipment time clock for summer filtration hours. For play pools, the general requirements are 6-8 hours. For diving pools, it’s 8-10 hours.
Read More: 3 Signs Your Filter Needs Repair
Be sure that your filter pressure is within the acceptable range. If you’re not sure if your filter gauge is working properly, you’ll want to replace it. Filter gauges are quite inexpensive.
Usually sand and DE filters need to be backwashed once a month. Rule of thumb: When the pressure increases 10# from the last time the filter was backwashed, it’s time to backwash again. Cleaning your filters more often than recommended can actually hinder the filtration process, so be sure to stick to the timeline called for. This is not an excuse to let them get too dirty, though! A little dirt on the filter helps trap more debris, but a neglected DE filter can lead to bigger problems. If you see filter media in your pool, it may be time to call a servicer who can help you identify and repair any problems with your filtration system.
The cartridges in your cartridge filter should be cleaned thoroughly and inspected for any damage. Soak the cartridges in a filter cleaning solution or a diluted muriatic acid bath every second time you clean them. When the plastic ends of the cartridges show cracks, replace them.
When the Total Dissolved Solids – commonly referred to as TDS – level of your pool approaches 2500 ppm, your pool needs to be drained. If your TDS level is currently approaching higher levels, take the opportunity to drain and refill it now before the summer heat arrives. This is the easiest way to reduce TDS. Another way is to drain and refill in stages, which involves reducing the water level one or two feet at a time and refilling it over a period of days or weeks.
The water in your pool should last for 3 – 5 years before it needs to be drained completely and refilled. Choosing the proper chemical treatments for your pool water will help determine just how long your pool water will last. Bright and Clear Pools can assist with your swimming pool chemical testing in Glendale with a weekly service plan to fit your pool needs.
