Q:
What is normal pressure for my filter?
A: Every pool system
has different pressure restrictions depending upon the type of equipment
and features that were built with your pool. New pool owners will be
given the normal pressure for their system with their start up instructions.
If you are not the original owner or cannot remember the normal pressure
of your system it is recommended that you backwash or clean the filter
to establish a normal clean filter pressure.
Q: How often should I backwash my filter?
A: The filter should
be backwashed every 4 to 6 weeks or when the pressure increases 8 to
10 lbs. over normal clean filter pressure. The filter should also be
completely disassembled, inspected and cleaned every six months to
ensure proper filtration.
Q: What should I do when the temperature
is below freezing?
A: When the outdoor
air temperature reaches 32 degrees or lower, costly freeze damage can
occur. These steps should be followed to help prevent any damage to
your pool and/or equipment:
- Run filtration pump and all auxiliary pumps continuously (pool
cleaner pump does not need to run). If functioning properly, your
freeze guard should run the pump automatically until temperatures
rise above freezing. Note: Direct sunlight on your freeze guard
may "trick" it into functioning as if the temperature
is above freezing thereby turning off your pump. If
this happens, reactivate the pump manually and remove the timer
trippers or switch the computer controller to "service" and
turn the pumps on. The pumps WILL NOT turn off automatically in
service mode.
- Break up ice on the pool and spa surfaces to keep the skimmers
and skimmer doors free from ice. Carefully remove skimmer doors
if it is not possible to keep them free of ice. Use caution to
avoid damaging the skimmers.
- Maintain proper pool water level at all times (at the middle
of the tile line). If the water level drops too low, the pump will
draw in air through the skimmers which increases the risk of equipment
freeze damage.
- NEVER backwash during extremely
cold conditions. Filter pressure gauges can freeze, resulting in
inaccurate readings.
- DO NOT use heater during
extreme cold unless it has been constantly running prior to the
drop in temperature.
- Adjust pool and spa jets upwards to reduce surface freezing
Q: What should I do if there is a power
outage in freezing weather?
- Turn off circuit breakers to all pool equipment.
- Open the filter air bleed valve. If it is frozen, pour warm
water over it to dislodge the ice.
- Drain the pumps by removing all drain plugs from the bottom
of the pump. Place the plugs in the pump basket and loosely replace
the lid.
- Remove the winterizing plugs and/or open drain valves on the
heater and place them in the pump basket.
- Remove drain plug for the filter.
- Remove the chlorinator tubing and lid.
- To prevent ice from forming in skimmers, place a one liter plastic
bottle half filled with anti-freeze in each skimmer. This will
help take up any freeze expansion in the skimmers.
- Open all valves or adjust 3-way valves to the middle positions
to allow water to flow back into the pool through all pipes.
- Any pipes that cannot be drained should be protected with electrical
heat strips available at local hardware stores.
- Cover electronic ignition heaters with a blanket for insulation.
UNCOVER HEATER PRIOR TO USE.
Q: My pool is losing water! What should
I do?
A: You can expect
some water loss due to evaporation and splash out during swimming.
The evaporation rate varies by season, area in which you live and amount
of time you run your water features. You will experience greater loss
of water through evaporation, the greater the difference between warm
air temperatures and cooler water temperatures. If suspect you are
losing an above average amount of water in your pool, check all plumbing
and equipment for leaks, inspect backwash line for water bypassing
valve and inspect interior of pool for cracks. Please contact our service
department to schedule a service call for visual leaks at equipment
or contact the structural warranty department for non-visual leaks
to discuss possible scenarios.
Q: How important is water chemistry for
my pool?
A: Believe it or
not, water chemistry is the most important part of any pool's maintenance
routine. Pool water that is not balanced correctly will not only damage
the pool equipment but will also ruin the interior finish of the pool.
Here are some helpful tips to maintaining proper water chemistry:
- Test water chemistry at least once a week
- Always follow manufacturer's directions for use of chemicals.
- Never mix chemicals
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