FAQ

Is my pool leaking? And how much is evaporation? 
While your pool is off, set a bucket on the top step and fill it with water, the same level as the pool. Check it by the end of the day. If they both loose about the same amount of water you probably don’t have a leak.

If my pool is leaking how much water can I loose daily before it becomes a concern? 
Leaks less than ½” per day are difficult to detect. We repair pools loosing more than this per day but make sure water does not go below bottom of skimmer. This can cause pump to loose prime.

My pump will not prime, what should I do? 
First, check level of pool, it should be at the center of tile line. Next check trap doors on skimmer (weirs). They should be moving freely. Clean pump and skimmer baskets. Inspect and lube “O” ring on pump lid. It should not have any cracks and should be free from debris. Add water to pump and snug down lid. Do not over tighten lid, lid wrenches are to remove lids not to tighten them.

When and how much D.E. should I add to my D.E. Filter? 
D.E. should be added to D.E. Filter after every backwash. The amount of D.E. depends upon the size of the filter. The rule of thumb is 1 lb. per 10 square feet of filtering area. Example: 60 sq. ft. D.E. filter = 6 lbs. of D.E.

How often should I backwash? 
Once a month or if the pressure increases 5 lbs. over clean operating pressure.

What is clean operating pressure? 
It is relative to your system but it is the pressure that the pool operates at when the filter is clean and all baskets are clean. Note: configuration of valves can change filter pressure reading.

Why is my pool only running at half the normal pressure? 
Check pump and skimmer baskets. If you have broken or missing baskets, working parts of pump may be clogged or pipes may be plugged.

Are the more expensive chemicals usually the best? 
In most cases yes. Read the labels, many chemicals are full of inert materials. I prefer high concentration products. They take up less space and have less inert materials.

My chemicals check out perfect but I have algae growing in my pool. What can I do? 
First check stabilizer or conditioner levels. A high concentration of stabilizer will cause chlorine to lock-up in your pool. We recommend shocking pool once a week during swimming season. Algae can become resistant to low levels of chlorine. Shocking pool can kill resistant strains of algae. Brush algae off walls, suspended algae is more vulnerable to chlorine.

How many gallons is my pool? 
For rectangular pools, average length X average width X average depth X 7.5 = gallons.

How long does the average plaster job last? 
About 10 years, or until it starts leaking or is too rough on your feet.

I check chlorine and PH regularly. My water looks good so why do I need to check other chemicals?
Chlorine and proper PH balance is only a small part of the equation. Alkalinity, water hardness and many of the other additives that make up water chemistry protect the pool from staining and costly damage. See chemical and pricing section of weekly maintenance information on this web site.

How long should I run my pool? 
If your pool was built in the last 15 years, you probably have adequate size pump and filter. Assuming this, you should run your pump 4-6 hours per day in the winter; 6-8 hours per day in the spring and late fall; 8-10 hours in the summer and early fall. We recommend running pool pump during daylight hours and always run your pump in freezing weather.

What should I do to winterize my pool? 
Balance chemicals; Disassemble clean D.E. and cartridge filters; Replace broken or brittle baskets; Have freeze guards checked and repair leaks in pool and equipment.

Do I need to do anything to my pool during the winter? 
Most problems to pools happen during the fall and winter months. If you are proficient at balancing your pools chemistry, I suggest checking it every other week. Check baskets daily if you have trees or yard debris. Maintain proper water level.

My pool motor makes a loud noise.
It could be plugged with debris or motor bearings may be going out. Motor bearings in many cases get louder in cold weather.

How often should I have my filter serviced? 
Twice a year, we have found it costs more in electricity and damage to filtering parts when done only once a year.