Running a swimming pool is quite simple once the basics have been
grasped. The main concerns in operating a pool are the CHEMICAL
BALANCE and having
the correct FILTRATION. With both these correct factors, your pool water
will be safer, more comfortable and clean.
Chemical balance in pool water is essential in order to eliminate the bacteria
and other containments. If the balance is correct it will also cut down the
build up of scaling, staining and lower the amount of corrosion to both the
walls and equipment.
There are four main tests that should be carried out on a regular basis
Chlorine, pH, Stabiliser, Alkalinity and Salt
These are tests that Poolminders Pool & Spa will carry out
on regular services as standard to help maintain your pool and its water
Chlorine is used to control bacteria in water. The health department recommends
that this level should be kept at least 2ppm in a pool, in order for it to
be safe for swimmers
pH is a measure of the acidity of the water. It is important to keep this level
between 7.4 and 7.6 as chlorine
will work most effectively at such a pH. pH is also important for the maintenance
of the pool surface. A very low pH
can cause powdering, bleaching or etching of your pool surface, whereas a
high pH can cause cloudiness and also a build up of scale on your surface
and through the filtration pipes
Stabiliser is a product that is used in your water to lower the deterioration
of chlorine due to ultraviolet rays from the sun. This level should be kept
around 40 – 50ppm all year round. If this level of stabiliser drops
below to low it will allow the chlorine in your water to disperse rapidly,
allowing the water to be unsafe
Alkalinity is a measure of both the acidity of the water and the total dissolved
solids, therefore giving a reading of the buffering affect (corrosiveness)
of the water in your pool. In fibreglass and Vinyl lined pools the alkalinity
should be kept above 80ppm and on concrete pools above 110ppm. Some concrete
pools that are painted should be kept slightly higher at 140ppm
Salt levels are essential to keep at the right level if your pool has a salt
chlorinator. Depending if your pool has a Low Salt chlorinator this level
should be kept around 4500ppm – 5500ppm and a regular Salt Chlorinator,
which are usually units that are over 10 years old 7000ppm – 8500ppm.
If the salt level drops below these levels, your salt cell will deteriorate
rapidly. As they say prevention is better than cure, as Salts cells don’t
come cheap. Its far cheaper to have your salt level at its correct level
than replacing cells all the time. An average cell life should be between 5 – 7 years but if the salt level is not correct, you can easily halve
that amount
FILTRATION
Along with chemical balance, filtration is equally important. Without it the
pool will become cloudy and eventually green, irrespective of the water balance
There are a number of different types of filters that we supply. These include:
Sand Filters (Most Common), Diatmatious Earth Filters and Cartridge Filters
All three providing they are working correctly provide sufficient filtration
for your home pool. However, they do provide different levels of filtration
and amounts of work to maintain them
The table below is an idea of the main differences below:
Filters Lifespan of filter media filtration work involved
| Filters Lifespan of filter media filtration work involved | ||||||
| DE Filter | 5 – 8 years |
5 Microns | 1 hour per month
| |||
| Cartridge | 2 – 4 years |
11 Microns |
20 mins twice a month |
|||
| Sand Filter | 4 – 6 year |
18-20 Microns |
3 mins twice a month |
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