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 be operating 24/7.
- If your pump is on a timer, you should make sure that it runs during the hottest hours of the day.
- Dirty filters can cause foaming, cloudiness, and poor circulation.
- Use Filter Cleaner at least once a season OR after treating for algae
- If you have a cartridge filter, please remember to rinse the filter off periodically through the season and/or when pressure gets too high.
- Do not use a pressure washer as it could damage the fibers.
- If you have a sand filter, the media should be changed every 3-5 years and possibly sooner if it has not been chemically cleaned each season.
- If you have a cartridge filter, please remember to rinse the filter off periodically through the season and/or when pressure gets too high.
Sanitizer, Shock and Stabilizer
Sanitizer
- When using a…
- Chlorinator: Add 1-2 Aqua Foot or Maxi Pucks
- Adjusting the dial on the chlorinator as needed to keep a reading of 1-3ppm.
- Brominator: Fill the feeder half full with Brominating Tablets.
- Adjusting the dial on the brominator as needed to keep a reading of 1-3ppm.
- Chlorinator: Add 1-2 Aqua Foot or Maxi Pucks
- Always check your sanitizer level and adjust depending on use, weather conditions, etc.
Shocking
- Shocking and oxidizing eliminates bather wastes such as perspiration, body oils, and cosmetics that tend to cloud the water and use up free chlorine.
- Shocking and oxidizing will help eliminate these wastes.
- In addition to your weekly routine, a shock or oxidizer should be added after heavy use (ex. a party) or after heavy rainfall.
- Remember to remove all toys, automatic vacuums etc from the pool before shocking and leave your solar blanket off for at least 8 hours after shocking.
Stabilizer
- Stabilizer is an important chemical that needs to be added to all pools to prevent sanitizer loss due to the sun.
- Stabilizer is also added to ensure that the liner is protected, and that the liner warranty remains valid.
- Stabilizer Plus pucks should be added to ensure levels remain in range of 30-60ppm
Water Testing
- Test kits or strips can help you monitor your pool water on a weekly, or as needed basis.
- We recommend visiting our water lab for a more comprehensive water test at least once a month to maintain proper water balance.
- Monthly tests are required to ensure that the warranties on your pool equipment and pool liner remain valid.
- If any problems occur (ex. algae or cloudy water), or if you question the balance of your water, bring a water sample in for testing.
Adding Chemicals
- Before adding chemicals to your pool water, the pump needs to be running.
- To avoid cloudy water, please be sure to wait for the recommended time required between each chemical addition.
- Follow water testing printout to ensure proper dosing of chemicals.
Weekly Maintenance for Clear Water
- Treat the pool weekly, even if it is not getting regular use.
- Example weekly treatment: Zap, Algi Pro 40 and Meta Stain Prevent.
- Keep the pool circulating 24/7.
- Bring a water sample into Bud’s Spas and Pools once a month.
Tips and Tricks
- Do not leave the solar blanket on your pool for an extended period of time, as it facilitates a warm environment that algae thrives in.
- The best time to put on the solar blanket is at night and for a maximum of 12 hours. The solar blanket is meant to prevent heat loss, it will not heat the pool.
- Over time o-rings tend to break down and as a result can cause an improper seal with your pump, heaters, etc.
- Apply silicone lubricant to o-rings at the beginning and end of every pool season to prevent this from happening (or as needed through the season).
- Using something other than a silicone-based lubricant (ex. Vaseline) can lead to o-rings breaking down faster.
Things you Should be Doing on a Regular Basis
- Brush down the walls and floor once a week and before vacuuming to stir up any debris or algae that may be hiding.
- Clean out your skimmer and pump baskets often, as it can restrict the flow and use up sanitizer if there is a lot debris gathering in the baskets.
- Suction side automatic vacuums are a great way to keep your water clean, but they should not be used for any longer than 6 hours. The water at the surface is not circulating when the vacuum is in use.
- Bring a water test once a month to Bud’s Spas and Pools or whenever you are having problems with your pool water.
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…
Treating Phosphates in Swim Spas
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.
Treating Foaming in a Swim Spa
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.
Swim Spa Filter Cartridge Cleaning
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.
