How to Keep Your Swimming Pool Crystal Clear

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Having a swimming pool in your backyard can be a fun way to keep cool during the hot summer months. But maintaining a pool is also hard work, particularly if you want to keep the water crystal clear all season long. If you neglect your pool at all, the water can turn cloudy, hazy and even green in a hurry. But it just takes a few key steps practiced regularly to keep your pool clear and sparkling so it’s always ready for family and friends to enjoy.

Blue water splash. Clear and pure.

Maintain Chemical Levels

Maintaining proper chemical levels in your pool is the most important step in keeping the water crystal clear. The key levels to monitor are the chlorine and pH. Chlorine is used to kill germs and bacteria in pool water, so it plays an important role in keeping the water clear. The pool’s pH level, which measures how acidic or alkaline the water is, influences how effective the chlorine is in keeping the water clean. Use a water testing kit to measure the chlorine and pH levels approximately twice a week – the chlorine should measure between 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million, while the pH level should read between 7.2 and 7.6. If the level chlorine level is low, replenish your chlorine supply. If your pool’s pH is too high, you need to add acid to the water to help lower it. Muriatic acid and sodium bisuphate are the most common acids used to lower pool water pH. If your pool’s pH is too low, add an alkali like sodium carbonate to reduce the acidity.

Administer Shock and Algaecide Weekly

Even if you maintain proper chlorine and pH levels in your pool, the water may need a little boost to keep it clear and sparkling. Once a week, you should shock or super-chlorinate your pool to kill any lingering bacteria or algae that may be growing. Shock treatments are available at your pool supply store; make sure to read the package instructions carefully to know how much shock to add to the water since it varies based on the size of the pool. If you’ve noticed algae growing on the walls of your pool, you should also treat the water with an algaecide, a product designed specifically to kill algae. Algae can turn your pool water green, yellow or cloudy, so it’s important to prevent the growth.

Backwash

Your pool filter plays a key role in keeping the water crystal clear since it removes dirt and microscopic debris from the water to keep it clean. If you want your filter to remain working properly, however, you must clean it regularly too. This process is called backwashing and involves the water flowing through the system in the opposite direction to clean out the filter. If your water starts to look cloudy, it’s time to backwash your filter. You can avoid cloudiness, however, by making note of your pool’s normal pressure gauge reading and backwashing whenever the pressure is 5 to 7 pounds per square inch above the normal reading.

Skim Regularly

To keep your pool water clear and sparkling, you must remove organic materials like leaves, insects and other debris. While your filter will remove smaller particles, large items may not make it into the system. If they’re left to sit in the water, they can break down and leave the pool dirty and cloudy. Make a habit of skimming the pool regularly to remove larger debris. Depending on the landscape that surrounds your pool, once or twice a day may be sufficient.

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Make A Skimming and Scrubbing A Part Of Life

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Skimming the leaves and debris off of the surface of the water is a no-brainer, but it bears repeating. For a truly pristine pool, skimming should be done daily.

If you have a bit of money to spend, consider buying a robot vacuum that will clean the bottom of the pool for you.

In addition to skimming, you need to scrub the sides of the pool to prevent algae build-up. Thankfully, that doesn’t need to be done quite as often. You can get away with scrubbing once every other week. Just look for any growths and go at them with a scrub brush to keep your siding looking fresh and clean.

For those particularly stubborn spots that won’t go away with any amount of elbow grease? Repurpose an old sock. Fill it with chlorine and let it sit on top of the spot for a few hours before scrubbing once more. The chlorine will eat away at the algae and you’ll finally have a use for those socks without pairs. It’s a win-win.

Think about the pool’s filter as your pool’s kidneys

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Just as your kidneys are constantly working to remove impurities from your body, your pool’s filter is responsible for removing impurities from the water – think dirt, leaves, and even small toys.

Most of the time, the pool can be cleaned by turning off the filter, removing the filter cap located on the pool deck, lifting out the filter basket, and removing any debris before replacing everything. It’s best to clean out your filter basket at least once a week.

Once a month you’ll also want to clean out the pipes utilized by your filter system, which you can do by backwashing. To do so, simply set your filter to “backwash,” remove the leaf basket and clean it out. Then turn on your pump and let it run until the waste pipe ejects clear water.

A final note on turning the filter on and off: Doing so too often can cause the filter’s mechanics to crack. Set your filter on a timer and allow it to run for at least six hours a day.

Signs of a Dirty Pool

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We know that the weather in Orlando can make it difficult to resist jumping into your residential pool, even when the quality of the water is questionable. However, it’s essential to ensure that your pool’s water is clean and safe before getting in. Look for these signs in your residential pool before you dive in:

Cloudy Water
Cloudy pool water can be indicative of poor maintenance and environmental pollution. Failing to properly cover your pool can allow rainwater carrying contaminants from areas around the pool to seep into the water, causing your pool’s water to become murky. Cloudy pool water can also signify a high concentration of chemicals. Chlorine, water sanitizers, and a high pH level can all cause pool water to become cloudy. Call Fratelli Pool Service immediately if your pool water is cloudy, and definitely don’t take the risk of jumping in.

Algae
This point should be fairly obvious, but it’s a point that is worth reiterating: don’t go in your pool if you notice that algae is growing in it. Most people don’t know that algae grows in varieties that can be toxic and, in some cases, fatal. Some varieties of algae produce what’s known as cyanobacteria; in plain English, this is the green, slimy layer of algae that you’ll commonly see on the surfaces of lakes. It has a foul and off-putting smell to it, and it can be toxic to both humans and animals. It’s worth noting that not all algae varieties are visible, so you should always be on the lookout for any unfamiliar smells emitted by your pool.

Red Eyes After Swimming
Are your eyes itchy and red after a session in the pool? Red eyes after swimming can be a sign that your pool water is in desperate need of a thorough cleaning. Dirt, sweat, oil, and other human-originating contaminants can cause your water to become irritating to the eyes, even if you’re fairly meticulous about regulating the chemicals in your pool.

Call Fratelli Pool Service if it’s your case. We specialize in pool maintenance and we are happy to help you with any pool-related questions you might have.

Tennis Ball To Remove Oils

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The more people who use your pool, the more likely that oil will build-up. Sweat, sunscream, cosmetics and sebum (the skin´s natural oils) can turn your pool into an oil slick. This easy pool hack just requires that you throw three to five tennis balls into your  skimmer and the felt of the tennis ball will absorb a fair amount of the oils found on the surface of your pool´s water.

How to prepare your pool for huricane season

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Hurricane season takes place June 1 through November 30.

There are many myths regarding throwing outdoor furniture inside pools and even draining a swimming pool before a hurricane. Both of these actions can be dangerous and detrimental to a swimming pool. Below are some tips from FSPA to help you become better prepared for a storm.

  1. Do not drain your pool before a storm. Keeping sufficient water levels in your pool provides the important weight to hold sides and bottom in place.
  2. Before and after the storm it is recommended to super chlorinate pool water.
  3. It is important that all electric power be turned off at the circuit breakers before a storm hits. Any exposed electrical equipment such as motors for the pumps should be tightly covered with plastic wrap. If flooding is expected, disconnect and remove.
  4. Storms can cause ripped lanai screens which can be expensive to replace. This can possibly be avoided if you provide a “vent” for wind to escape through. Screen panels may be removed on either side of the pool area.
  5. Remove any loose objects such as chairs, tables, pool equipment and even toys. These items can become weapons in high wind storms. Do not throw your furniture in the pool, or anything else for that matter. If you cannot store items inside a building, carefully place items in the pool, this is not recommended.
  6. After the storm use a “pool rake” or other net/skimming device to remove small debris from inside the pool. Do not use your regular pool vacuum equipment or pool pumps as they are likely to clog the plumbing.
  7. Before touching any electrical equipment after the storm, be sure that everything is dry. Check circuit breakers to be sure they are off before attempting to reconnect electrical equipment such as pump motors. Inspect wiring for proper connections. If electric motors have been exposed to water, they should be checked by a professional.
  8. Be sure clocks, timers, etc. have been properly reset and balance the water chemistry. Keep a close eye on your operating systems for a few days to ensure everything is in working order.

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How to Identify and Remove Pool Stains

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Stains are one of the most irritating detriments to their investment that a pool owner can endure. To address this problem, the source of the stain must be identified, and the appropriate solution introduced as soon as possible.

Pool stains generally fall into two categories:

  • Metal or rust-based: Metals can accidentally be introduced into pools from well water or corrosion from copper pipes.
  • Organic: Leaves, berries, and other organic debris can also leave stains if allowed to settle on pool surfaces.

The best way to distinguish metal from organic stains is by color. Different color combinations provide good indicators of exactly what substance is causing a given stain:

pool-stains

Green and Brown Stains

These stains are most likely organic stains caused by leaves or other plant matter.

Red and Blue Stains

These stains are more than likely from brightly colored berries; check the area around the pool for the offending bush.

Blue, Green and Black Stains

When a stain is a mixture of dark blue, green and black, and there is no evidence of organic matter, it is likely to have been caused by copper.

Green, Brown and Red Stains

This combination indicates iron as the culprit.

Brown, Black and Purple Stains

This dark color combination is caused by manganese.

Once you’ve got a good idea of the cause of a stain, it’s time to test the theory and confirm the source of the problem. If an organic stain is suspected, try applying a small amount of chlorine directly to it. An organic stain will come away easily.

Metal stains, on the other hand, react best to ascorbic acid, which is vitamin C, most often found in citrus fruits. The best method is to apply some ascorbic acid powder to the stain, and see if it is removed or lightens.

How To Get Rid of Pool Stains

For Organic Pool Stains

Organic stains are best addressed by super chlorinating the water, then brushing. First, test the water to ensure the balances of pH and alkalinity – pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6, while alkalinity should be between 100 and 150 ppm (parts per million). Use can use test strips to test the water.

For multiple or large stains, the water should be triple shocked by adding 3 pounds of calciumhy pochlorite pool shock for every 10,000 gallons of water. Remember always to shock at dusk, or at night, for best results.

Once it’s been shocked, thoroughly brush all the stains, then let the pool circulate for at least eight hours. Continue to brush the stains intermittently, and keep the chlorine level high until the stains are finally gone.

 

For Metal Pool Stains

Metal stains can be a little more difficult to get rid of, but they’re not impossible. The first step is to take a water sample to your local pool care retailer to determine exactly what kinds and levels of metals are plaguing your pool.

After that, you can use a metal stain remover to treat the stains on your liner. Use the remover according to manufacturer’s instructions, brushing the stain to help the process along.

 

Future Prevention

Preventing pool stains is as important, easy, and important as any other facet of pool maintenance.

To keep organic stains from forming, make sure to keep the correct level of sanitizer (i.e. chlorine) in the pool at all times.

Make sure pH and alkalinity are balanced, to keep the sanitizer working properly. Keep your pool clean by regularly vacuuming (manually or with an automatic pool cleaner) and skimming the surface of the water.

The best preventative measure against metal stains is to test water regularly for the presence of metals, and address it before stains form. If your pool is prone to metal contamination due to well water or other factors, be sure to use a metal sequestrant to prevent metals from binding to pool surfaces.

In the case of a copper problem, it’s worth noting that low pH can also cause a recurrence of stains. Low pH indicates acidic water, which corrodes copper and introduces it into your pool. Adjust pH levels accordingly.

Happy Swimming!

 

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How to Test Pool Water Accurately

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It’s important to learn how to test pool water, and do it at least once a week to make sure the pH and alkalinity are balanced, and to keep your sanitizer level in check (i.e. chlorine at 3 ppm).

What most pool owners don’t know, however, is there’s a right and wrong way to test your water, no matter what type of testing you’re doing. It all starts with the water sample.

You can watch a full video on how to test pool water, or read below (or both).

 

The Water Sample

There are 3 ways to test pool water:

  • Liquid test kit
  • Test strips
  • Taking your sample to a local pool store to have it professionally checked.

To take a proper water sample, use a clean cup or bottle (with cap if you’re taking it to the pool store) and hold it upside down so that the opening is facing the floor. Insert into the water elbow-deep and turn it right side up to collect the sample. Do not take the sample near any return jets or skimmer opening. If possible, take the sample from the absolute middle of your pool.

Now you can take this sample to your pool store or check it yourself.

Using Test Strips

For home testing, this is my personal favorite. It’s easy to do and very accurate – much more accurate than using a liquid test kit because of human error when it comes to matching up the colors and using chemical droplets.

Take your water sample and quickly dip one, dry strip into the water. Hold it still in the air for about 15 seconds (do not shake off the excess water). Then match up the colors of the strip to the back of the bottle to get your readings.

There are all different kinds of test strips you can buy that check for all sorts of things, but you really only need to check for pH, alkalinity and free chlorine.

Use test strips at least once a week. I like to check my water every other day. And bring a sample to your local pool store once a month to have it professionally checked – also when opening and closing your pool.

Using a Liquid Test Kit

There are very advanced liquid test kits, but for home use, just stick with pH and chlorine or phenol red and OTO. Phenol red is a red chemical you add to a small sample of water to check the pH. The redder the water, the higher the pH.

OTO is the chemical that tests for total chlorine. It’s a yellow liquid you add to your sample. The more yellow, the more chlorine.

With a liquid test kit, it’s hard to see the low end of the colors. Make sure you use a white background to examine the colors to be accurate.

Happy Swimming!

 

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Tips to Remove Wrinkles From a Pool Liner

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There is nothing quite like the soft and slick feeling of a pool liner on your feet while you swim. However, sometimes those liners can become wrinkled. If that happens, what are you to do?

Dealing with pool liner wrinkles is just part of owning a pool with a liner, so you need to be prepared to deal with them when they happen. There are many ways you can remove wrinkles from a pool liner that are relatively easy for you to do yourself, although it will take a little bit of work.

Tips to Remove Liner Wrinkles

If you have noticed wrinkles in the liner of your pool, then the time has come to act. Don’t allow those wrinkles to sit there for too long. The longer they are allowed to exist, the tougher it will be to get rid of them. Try the following tips to remove wrinkles from a pool liner so your feet don’t have to touch those ugly wrinkles whenever you go for a swim.

Tip 1 – Fill Your Pool

Sometimes wrinkles can form after the pool has sat for an extended period of time. If your pool water is low or you need to replace the water after it has sat there for a while, then try filling your pool with fresh water and slowly working the wrinkles out as you fill the pool.

Tip 2 – Start Walking

One of the easiest ways you can get rid of at least some of those wrinkles is by putting on some soft soled shoes and walking across the wrinkles gently stretching then from one side or another as you go. This will often take care of most minor wrinkles without you having to do anything else, but some wrinkles may be tougher to remove.

Tip 3 – Grab a Plunger

Believe it or not, a toilet plunger is a great tool for pulling out those wrinkles in your pool. Place the plunger on either side of the wrinkle and then plunge. This will pull the liner each way removing that wrinkle once and for all. Just make sure you use a clean, unused plunger for the task. After all, who wants to swim in water that has had your nasty toilet plunger in it?

Tip 4 – Warm up the Pool

Liners often develop wrinkles in colder water. These colder temperatures cause the liner to harden forcing it to wrinkle. Before you try anything, you may want to consider trying to heat the water up to 92 degrees Fahrenheit so the liner softens. You can then work out the wrinkles with a pool brush, your feet and even the plunger solution we talked about above.

Tip 5 – Drain the Water

Sometimes, the wrinkles may be so bad that you have no choice but to completely drain the pool. Once all the water is gone, you can then take a shop vac and use it to suck out those wrinkles one by one. When you do this, make sure that the liner remains wet at all times and be sure you vacuum between the frame and the liner instead of directly on the liner as the shop vac could damage the liner.

Tip 6 – Check Your Landscape

Double check your landscape to see if any trees, bushes or shrubs are directing water where it shouldn’t be or even extending into your pool area. If you have noticed any shifting of the ground, you will need to take the proper steps to shore up the ground so it doesn’t continue to shift. Once this is done, you can get rid of those wrinkles and they shouldn’t return.

Tip 7 – Watch for Leaks

One of the most dangerous causes of wrinkles can be small water leaks. These leaks allow water to get underneath the liner forcing it up in places. When this happens, you will need to locate the leak quickly and you may even have to drain the pool to patch it properly before you can start pulling out those unsightly wrinkles.

Tip 8 – Blow Out the Liner

If all else fails, you can try draining your pool and then blowing out the liner itself. Using a shop vac in reverse, place the hose between the liner and the frame and turn it on. This will push air between the liner and frame and push those wrinkles right out of the liner. Once they have come out, reverse the suction again and pull out the excess air that you have pushed under your liner.

Tip 9 – Call in the Pros

No matter how much or how hard you work on your pool liner, sometimes you have to call in the professionals. Draining your pool regularly to try and fix wrinkles can put the structure of your pool in danger, not to mention cost you an arm and a leg in water bills. If you have tried everything and you still have wrinkles in your pool, then you may want to call for backup.

Tip 10 – Replace the Liner

I have to admit, sometimes you simply won’t be able to get those wrinkles out of your pool liner. Sometimes they are just there to stay and no amount of work will make any difference. If you have reached that point, then the time has come for you to replace that liner with a new one. Just make sure the new one is installed correctly so you don’t notice wrinkles forming in it soon after it has been installed.

Conclusion

Dealing with wrinkles is just part of owning a pool with a liner. These ten tips should help you remove those unsightly wrinkles so your pools liner is as smooth as it was the day it was installed. Remember, pool liner wrinkles look bad and feel even worse on your feet, and the longer they stay there the harder they will be to remove. So make sure you act fast.

By following these tips, you should be able to get rid of those wrinkles with just a little bit of hard work on your part. If you do run into problems, don’t be afraid to call in a professional to help you. In most cases, if you follow these tips you should be able to get rid of the wrinkles in your liner. Once they are gone, you can refill your pool and go back to enjoying a nice long swim to cool off in the warm weather.

Happy Swimming!

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