Forest wildfires have been a major concern across the nation this summer. Many have been astonished by the impact to air quality in our communities. You may be surprised to discover that ash and smoke from forest fires can impact your pool systems too! Here are a few important steps you can take to maintain your pool system during wildfire season.
Manage Ash In Your Filtration System
When airborne ash makes its way into your pool, it can put a strain on your filtration system. Follow these tips to keep your filtration system working properly:
- Angle your return jets downwards, this will push the clean filtered water to the bottom of the pool and allow more ash to be skimmed off the top more quickly.
- To keep water clear, consider using clarifying tablets (sand filters only), or a filter cleaning product.
- Ash may impact your filter pressure. Make sure to backwash sand filters and rinse cartridge filters if there is an 8 psi or greater increase.
Image courtesy of Pool magazine
Keep Sanitizer Levels Between 3-5 ppm
Raising your chlorine or bromine levels is a good idea if you are noticing ash in your pool. Test your pH everyday during a wildfire event to maintain appropriate bromine/chlorine levels. You will likely need to add a little more sanitizer than normal to maintain your system's target pH.
Forest fire conditions are also likely to increase phosphate levels in your water. Test your levels regularly and use a phosphate remover as needed.
Consider Additional Products to Keep Water Clear
With all the added particulate from smoke and ash, you may want to consider adding some additional products to your pool's water while wildfire conditions persist.
- Algipro is an excellent option to clear up any algae that may develop due to added phosphorus from airborne ash.
- Filter Cleaner can help maintain your filter when it's working overtime.
- IPG pH Minus can assist in quickly restoring desired ph levels to ensure your sanitizers work efficiently
RELATED ARTICLES
How to Treat and Prevent Metals and Staining
How to treat and prevent metals and staining Metals can be introduced into the water through foreign object or equipment, such as copper piping and fittings, heat exchanger, using copper sulphate and other copper-based algaecides, or source water. The presence of metals in pool water may cause staining to the liner, fiberglass, or concrete as…
Should I finance my pool purchase?
In its most formal application, contrast hydrotherapy involves alternating between immersion in hot and cold water. It’s a practice with growing popularity among athletes and health enthusiasts for its many reported benefits.
Above Ground Pool Closing Instructions
How to close your above ground pool Pool Closing Steps One week prior to closing, bring a pool water sample to the store so your pool can be properly balanced. It is natural for sitting water to become acidic on its own so balancing the water is very important prior to closing your pool One…
The Benefits of Borate to Treat Your Pool
Why Your Should Use Borate In Your Pool What is Borate? Borate prevents pH drifting, which results in calcium scaling, metal stains, cloudy water, algae, and hard pool water. When you use borate, the water will remain clear for a long period since chloramine (or combined chlorine) does not form quickly as compared to a…
How to Reduce Phosphates in Your Pool
How to Reduce Pool Phosphates What are phosphates? Phosphates are food for algae. Although they are present in all water, once they reach a certain level they can cause issues in your pool. Phosphates can consume chlorine causing a consistently low level in your pool. When you have an extremely low chlorine reading, your pool…
Spring Set-up for Pool UV Systems
How To Open Your Pool’s UV System SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS When spring arrives, it’s time to pull out your UV system and get it ready for the summer pool season. Below is a checklist that will help in getting the most out of your system. If your UV system is still installed on your pool equipment,…
How to Treat Pool Algae
How to Treat and Prevent Algae How to Treat and Prevent Algae – Spring Opening Green pools are often caused by algae growth in the water. This could take on the form of patches of green, yellow or black substances that fluffs into the water when touched or stirred. The water may have discoloration, usually…
How to Change & Clean the Filter Media
How to Clean & Change a sand filter How to Clean a Sand Filter Sand filters should be cleaned at least once per season, preferably in the fall before closing. You must clean your sand filter after encountering bouts of algae. Backwash the filter for 3-5 minutes to ensure large organic debris is out of…
How to Clean a Pool Salt Cell
How to Clean a Salt Cell Why Clean My Salt Cell? It is important to maintain a clean salt cell so chlorine can be continuously produced. Salt cells that have a lot of scale or calcium build up can not effectively produce sanitizer and often create flow issues within the pool system. You should check…
How to Treat and Prevent Cloudy or Foggy Pool Water
How to Treat and Prevent Cloudy or Foggy Water What Causes Cloudy Water? Foggy/Cloudy pools may occur due to a number of reasons. Cloudy water largely occurs because of poor water balance, lack of circulation, poor filtration or the depletion of chlorine/bromine. It can also occur due to dead algae, dirty or old filter sand,…
Pool Filter Cartridge Cleaning Instructions
How To Clean A Pool Filter Cartridge When should a cartridge element be cleaned? For swimming pools, clean the cartridge when filter canister pressure reaches 10-12 PSI above the initial system or new cartridge starting pressure. Cartridges should be rinsed at least once every 2 weeks. Cartridges should be chemically cleaned in Filter Cleaner at…
Maintenance for Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pool maintenance HELPFUL TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN MAINTAINING YOUR POOL NEW POOL OR NEW LINER CUSTOMERS:PLEASE BRING IN A WATER SAMPLE (IN THE SAMPLE BOTTLE PROVIDED) TO BUDS SPAS AND POOLS BEFORE ADDING ANY CHEMICALS AND/OR BEFORE ENTERING YOUR POOL FOR THE FIRST TIME. Pool maintenance steps 1. Test kits or strips…
Maintenance for Non-Saltwater Pools
Non-saltwater pool maintenance HELPFUL TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN MAINTAINING YOUR POOL NEW POOL OR NEW LINER CUSTOMERS:PLEASE BRING IN A WATER SAMPLE (IN THE SAMPLE BOTTLE PROVIDED) TO BUDS SPAS AND POOLS BEFORE ADDING ANY CHEMICALS AND/OR BEFORE ENTERING YOUR POOL FOR THE FIRST TIME. Filtration To maintain proper filtration the pump should…
Inground Pool Closing Instructions
Pool Closing Instructions Follow these steps to properly close your pool this year One week prior to closing, bring in a pool water sample so that your pool can be properly balanced for the winter months. 24 hours prior to closing the pool, add a dose of Fix to increase the sanitizer in your pool.…
Pool Opening Instructions
Pool Opening Instructions Follow these steps to properly open your pool this year Remove any leaves or debris from the top of your winter cover (this should not go in the pool). Remove the water off of your pool cover by either using a submersible pump or siphon method. When using a submersible pump please…
Pool Buying & Installation: The Ultimate Guide
In its most formal application, contrast hydrotherapy involves alternating between immersion in hot and cold water. It’s a practice with growing popularity among athletes and health enthusiasts for its many reported benefits.
How To Protect Your Pool During Forest Fires
A morning soak in your hot tub is the best way to start your day. Experience the benefits of stress relief, relaxation, mental clarity and more!
Extend Your Pool’s Swimming Season
Swimming season doesn’t have to be so short! There are things you can do to extend the life of your pool and maximize the swimming season.
