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Gohlke Pools Newsletter – March 2011
Spring is here!
This month’s newsletter is all about getting your pool ready for spring. There are tips and tricks to get your pool ready and several ways to increase your general knowledge.
Get the Pool Ready
Now that the water is warming up and the trees and other vegetation are blooming it is very important to start getting the pool ready for the upcoming swim season. Below are a few pointers to keep the pool looking good:
Test and balance the water. Below are the ideal water ranges. Make sure your water is balanced and has the necessary chemicals to fight algae and keep the water clear. We do offer free in-store water analysis to give your pool a thorough check up.
- pH – 7.4-7.6
- Total Alkalinity – 80-120ppm
- Calcium Hardness – 200-400ppm
- Chlorine – 2-4ppm
- Cyanuric Acid – 30-90ppm
- If you have a salt pool – keep the salt level around 3000ppm
Clean your pool filter. Below are the different types and the maintenance for each.
- Sand Filters – The sand needs to be replaced on most filters every 3-5 years.
- Cartridge Filters – Take the filter apart and clean each cartridge. It is also recommended to use a degreaser to pull out any oils trapped in the filter. Replace any of the cartridges that may be damaged.
- D.E. Filters – Take the filter apart and clean each cartridge. It is also recommended to use a degreaser to pull out any oils trapped in the filter. Replace any of the grids and/or manifold that may be damaged.
Adjust the pump run time. The pump needs to run during the hottest part and typically at least 8 hours per day. Longer run times may be required for larger pools, heavily used pools, or pools with salt systems.
Keep out the organic matter. The blooms from trees and flowers always seem to end up in your pool. They really use up your chlorine and clog baskets, so the quicker you can get them out the better. When we get rain, make sure to super chlorinate the pool directly afterwards. This will greatly reduce your chance of getting any algae growth.
