Useful Maintenance Tips

Circulation:

  • Run pool pump 8-12 hours per day
  • Backwash or clean filter if pressure is above 10-15 psi
  • Clean the skimmer & pump basket
  • Keep jets facing circular and downward

Cleaning:

  • Brush walls, steps, ladders, low circulation spots daily
  • Skim the surface daily
  • Vacuum once a week or use automatic cleaner

Chemistry:

  • Test water 1-2 times per week
  • Balance pH and alkalinity
  • Maintain sanitizer levels
  • Shock bi-weekly

Recommendations for Water Balance

  • Chlorine- Use enough tablets and a low setting on the chlorinator to keep a reading of 2 to 4 ppm. This will provide a consistent amount of chlorine.
  • pH- Maintain your pH at around 7.4. Very high pH will promote the buildup of scale, while low pH is corrosive on the finish of most pool surfaces and equipment. Neither is good!
  • Alkalinity- To help buffer your pH, keep the alkalinity balanced in the 80-120 ppm range.
  • Calcium Hardness- It is still important to protect your pool surfaces and finishes in the winter. When the calcium is too low it can attack pool plaster, resulting in staining and etching. Too high and it will lead to deposits and stains. Maintain a minimum of 200 ppm.
  • Conditioner/Stabilizer- Maintain at least 40 ppm to reduce UV degradation of your chlorine. The winter sun is not as strong as the summer sun, so you can operate at the lower end of the range
Come in for Free Water Test

Spring Tips

Most of us love spring and all that it entails with new growth, the sounds of nature, and warming temperatures. Unfortunately, those warming temperatures can invite new growth of the undesirable variety in your pool water. Head off potential problems before they get a foothold. Make sure your pool circulates the water properly by keeping your skimmers clear and your filters clean, so your chemical treatments are well distributed. Establish a frequent and regular cleaning schedule and scrub down the walls of the pool but be mindful in choosing an appropriate pool brush that won’t damage the wall surface. Don’t forget to keep an eye on chlorine levels, as well.

Cleaning Tips:

  • Test your swimming pool water.
  • Clean your sand filter or cartridge filter.
  • Empty the Pump and Skimmers Baskets.
  • Adjust your pool running Timers.
  • Check your Pool Gates close securely.

Winter Tips

Come in for Free Water Test

Planning on leaving your pool open all year. These steps can help; Off-Season Maintenance In mild climates during the off-season, pool and spa operations should be maintained at all normal levels. These include maintaining the water level, continuing regular sanitizer schedules, and retaining proper pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels. Circulating unheated water through the entire system will generally keep the equipment reasonably free of problems, even during occasional freezing periods. The entire system can be operated intermittently, or on a timer set for when the sun is down or the weather is cooler. Make sure that the timer can be overridden if there is any danger that the equipment might freeze. Twice-a-month cleaning is recommended for optimum care; at least once a month is the minimum. Uncovered pools and spas must be kept free of debris, such as leaves and other materials

Want to close your Spa for the winter; Winterizing a Hot Tub

  1. Let the chemical levels drop. If you plan to empty the hot tub’s water into your lawn or landscaping, allot a few days for the chemicals in your spa to dissipate before starting the winterizing process. Otherwise, the sanitizers can be toxic to plants and wildlife.
  2. Cut the hot tub’s power by shutting off at the disconnect and breaker. This step is incredibly important, as mixing water with electricity can make the winterization process dangerous. Ensure no power is getting to your hot tub before you move forward.
  3. Remove your filters for cleaning. Using filter cleaner or a chemical soak, clean your filters and store them in a cool, dry place for the season. This is also a great opportunity to replace your filters if you’re in need of an update.
  4. Drain the water from your hot tub. To release the water from your spa, attach a garden hose to the hot tub’s drain spout or use a sump pump to pump the water out. Most hot tubs hold 400 gallons of water, so ensure you’ve chosen a suitable location to dispense the water to before you begin.
  5. If you have one, drain the air blower. Older model hot tubs may have an air blower that will need to be blown out. Unplug your spa’s heater and reconnect it to power for this step. After placing your hot tub cover on, run the blower for 30 seconds to a minute so all water is displaced from the air channels.
  6. Loosen the pump and heater’s unions. Located in the access panel of your tub’s cabinet, find the unions on your pump and heater and loosen them to naturally drain out water.
  7. Blow water out of the lines. This is the key step in winterizing your hot tub, as it prevents your plumbing lines from freezing in the cold. Using a Shop Vac, blow air into every union, drain, jet, and filter cavity to eliminate any excess water.
  8. Clean the shell of your hot tub. Once all water is out of the tub, use sponges and a rinse-free cleaner to scrub your spa of any bacteria or grime.
  9. Add Antifreeze to the lines. Pour 1-2 gallons of antifreeze into the filter canister and footwell as an additional safety measure in case there is any residual water in the plumbing.
  10. Place your cover. Once the tub is dry, carefully secure your cover over top of it, ensuring no snow or water can seep in. Adding wind straps to the cover can further protect your hot tub from harsh elements.