Biggest Swimming Pool Mistakes To Avoid
March 08/2020 We’ve all made mistakes in the past, we are only human, but let’s debunk the top reasons why our pool ends up a mess and causing us headaches. Summer should be fun and taking care of a pool should be easy, let us show you how!
Mistake 1 – Shock During the Day
It is very important to shock your swimming pool only at night, once the sun has gone down. If you are adding shock any other time throughout the day, you are not reaping the benefits from it and are actually just throwing money down the drain. Swimming pool shock is not sunlight stabilized, meaning if it is added during the day, the sun will burn off all of the shock prior to it having any time to circulate through the water. Swimming pool shock should be added once per week, in the evening after the sun has gone down to help eliminate the dead and decaying bacteria that the chlorine has killed, but left stagnant in the pool. Without shocking the pool on a regular basis, your water can be hazy and filled with odors.
Mistake 2 – Using auto cleaner for algae
Although it sounds like the perfect way to clean up algae from your swimming pool floor, auto cleaners are not designed to handle a slimy mess. Although auto cleaners will pick up some of the algae on the bottom of the floor, it will not remove all of it. Manually vacuuming the pool to waste is the best way to get rid of any debris and algae in the bottom of the pool. Once the algae has been cleaned up and all of your chemical levels are back in balance, you can then continue using your auto cleaner for any small debris that may enter the pool, such as dirt and leaves. If your chemical levels are consistently kept in the correct levels, algae will never be an issue you have to contend with. Prevention is key!
Mistake 3 – Not maintaining proper pH and Alkalinity levels
If your pH or Alkalinity levels are not in the correct range, make sure to add the correct product on a regular basis until it is in the proper range. Incorrect pH can do a lot of damage not only to your pool structure itself (pool lining/surface) but also the pump seals, heaters, and other equipment. The pH level in your pool may change after a rain or even after adding some additional make-up water in the pool. It is important to always test and keep pH as close to 7.5 as possible. If your pH level is in the proper range and your alkalinity is slightly still out of range, that is okay. pH is far more critical to maintain than alkalinity is. pH and alkalinity usually follow each other, so if one is low the other will usually be as well. Only add small amounts of pH increase or decrease, as it is slow to react with the water. If too much is added at once, your pH could end up too far on the opposite spectrum, causing you to add additional product to re-correct the issue.
*Reminder – You cannot simply look at the water or smell it and know what the pH level is in your pool – ALWAYS TEST!
Call Aqua Palace Today (712) 329-4180!
Want more information? Contact us Aqua Palace is family owned and operated, offering above ground and in ground pools, hot tubs, spas and saunas specializing in pool design, installation and repair to local (Omaha and Council Bluffs) and long distance residents (within the US). We are the only Marquis dealer in the Omaha Metro Area with the largest showroom east of the continental divide. Not located in Omaha? No worries, check out our online store for pool and spa chemicals, supplies and accessories.
It is very important to shock your swimming pool only at night, once the sun has gone down. If you are adding shock any other time throughout the day, you are not reaping the benefits from it and are actually just throwing money down the drain. Swimming pool shock is not sunlight stabilized, meaning if it is added during the day, the sun will burn off all of the shock prior to it having any time to circulate through the water. Swimming pool shock should be added once per week, in the evening after the sun has gone down to help eliminate the dead and decaying bacteria that the chlorine has killed, but left stagnant in the pool. Without shocking the pool on a regular basis, your water can be hazy and filled with odors.
Mistake 2 – Using auto cleaner for algae
Although it sounds like the perfect way to clean up algae from your swimming pool floor, auto cleaners are not designed to handle a slimy mess. Although auto cleaners will pick up some of the algae on the bottom of the floor, it will not remove all of it. Manually vacuuming the pool to waste is the best way to get rid of any debris and algae in the bottom of the pool. Once the algae has been cleaned up and all of your chemical levels are back in balance, you can then continue using your auto cleaner for any small debris that may enter the pool, such as dirt and leaves. If your chemical levels are consistently kept in the correct levels, algae will never be an issue you have to contend with. Prevention is key!
Mistake 3 – Not maintaining proper pH and Alkalinity levels
If your pH or Alkalinity levels are not in the correct range, make sure to add the correct product on a regular basis until it is in the proper range. Incorrect pH can do a lot of damage not only to your pool structure itself (pool lining/surface) but also the pump seals, heaters, and other equipment. The pH level in your pool may change after a rain or even after adding some additional make-up water in the pool. It is important to always test and keep pH as close to 7.5 as possible. If your pH level is in the proper range and your alkalinity is slightly still out of range, that is okay. pH is far more critical to maintain than alkalinity is. pH and alkalinity usually follow each other, so if one is low the other will usually be as well. Only add small amounts of pH increase or decrease, as it is slow to react with the water. If too much is added at once, your pH could end up too far on the opposite spectrum, causing you to add additional product to re-correct the issue.
*Reminder – You cannot simply look at the water or smell it and know what the pH level is in your pool – ALWAYS TEST!
Call Aqua Palace Today (712) 329-4180!
Want more information? Contact us Aqua Palace is family owned and operated, offering above ground and in ground pools, hot tubs, spas and saunas specializing in pool design, installation and repair to local (Omaha and Council Bluffs) and long distance residents (within the US). We are the only Marquis dealer in the Omaha Metro Area with the largest showroom east of the continental divide. Not located in Omaha? No worries, check out our online store for pool and spa chemicals, supplies and accessories.
Biggest Swimming Pool Mistakes To Avoid
March 15/2020 We’ve all made mistakes in the past, we are only human, but let’s debunk the top reasons why our pool ends up a mess and causing us headaches. Summer should be fun and taking care of a pool should be easy, let us show you how!
Mistake 4 – Don’t Over Backwash
More is always better right? Not in the case of keeping your pool the cleanest! Your sand filter system works best when it is able to gather debris and build up the pressure before backwashing it. It is important to know at the start of each spring what your normal pressure is on your swimming pool filter (normally ranges between 10-15 lbs, but will vary between year to year). Once your pressure has increased 5-7 lbs over your normal level, it is time to backwash. This usually occurs once per week under normal circumstances. Make sure your pressure gauge is working properly – if there is water in it or it does not move, it is time to replace it.
Do Not:
It seems like the most logical place to add your pool shock in order for it to dissolve the quickest and get pushed throughout the pool faster, however it is not. Pouring shock down your pool skimmer can quickly deteriorate your pump, pump seals, pool hoses, salt systems and heaters as it is far too concentrated. The best way to distribute your pool shock is to go around the perimeter of the pool and spread a little bit of the bag around the entire pool surface. This will allow for the quickest and most even distribution. Remember to shock your pool once per week and only shock the pool at night!
More is always better right? Not in the case of keeping your pool the cleanest! Your sand filter system works best when it is able to gather debris and build up the pressure before backwashing it. It is important to know at the start of each spring what your normal pressure is on your swimming pool filter (normally ranges between 10-15 lbs, but will vary between year to year). Once your pressure has increased 5-7 lbs over your normal level, it is time to backwash. This usually occurs once per week under normal circumstances. Make sure your pressure gauge is working properly – if there is water in it or it does not move, it is time to replace it.
Do Not:
- Backwash after each time you vacuum the pool, unless pressure has increased 5-7 lbs.
- Backwash for any other reason other than your pressure has increased 5-7 lbs over your normal limit.
It seems like the most logical place to add your pool shock in order for it to dissolve the quickest and get pushed throughout the pool faster, however it is not. Pouring shock down your pool skimmer can quickly deteriorate your pump, pump seals, pool hoses, salt systems and heaters as it is far too concentrated. The best way to distribute your pool shock is to go around the perimeter of the pool and spread a little bit of the bag around the entire pool surface. This will allow for the quickest and most even distribution. Remember to shock your pool once per week and only shock the pool at night!
Mistake 6 – Do NOT use Bleach
We all try to save money in any area that we can these days, however using bleach in your pool instead of traditional pool chlorine is a big no-no. In the long run, it will not save you more money as you will have to purchase other products to fix some of the issues bleach can cause. Adding bleach to the pool will do the following:
Simple question – Would you let your kids swim in the washing machine? Then why would you put bleach in your pool!?
There are several different methods available for sanitizing your pool with chlorine properly. Read our blog on “How to properly add chlorine to your pool” for more tips!
Call Aqua Palace Today (712) 329-4180!
Want more information? Contact us. Aqua Palace is family owned and operated, offering above ground and in-ground pools, hot tubs, spas and saunas specializing in pool design, installation and repair to local (Omaha and Council Bluffs) and long distance residents (within the US). We are the only Marquis dealer in the Omaha Metro Area with the largest showroom east of the continental divide. Not located in Omaha? No worries, check out our online store for pool and spa chemicals, supplies and accessories.
We all try to save money in any area that we can these days, however using bleach in your pool instead of traditional pool chlorine is a big no-no. In the long run, it will not save you more money as you will have to purchase other products to fix some of the issues bleach can cause. Adding bleach to the pool will do the following:
- Burn children's eyes
- Add additional soap and detergents from the inert ingredients to your pool water
- Cause your pH to shift
- Water will become cloudy and foamy
- Algae can still grow
Simple question – Would you let your kids swim in the washing machine? Then why would you put bleach in your pool!?
There are several different methods available for sanitizing your pool with chlorine properly. Read our blog on “How to properly add chlorine to your pool” for more tips!
Call Aqua Palace Today (712) 329-4180!
Want more information? Contact us. Aqua Palace is family owned and operated, offering above ground and in-ground pools, hot tubs, spas and saunas specializing in pool design, installation and repair to local (Omaha and Council Bluffs) and long distance residents (within the US). We are the only Marquis dealer in the Omaha Metro Area with the largest showroom east of the continental divide. Not located in Omaha? No worries, check out our online store for pool and spa chemicals, supplies and accessories.
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