Pool Maintenance

• Fill a clean plastic container with a quart of pool water and take it to your pool professional for a thorough analysis. Your dealer will tell you exactly what your water needs to protect it from bacteria and algae during the winter. For many pools, a final addition of shock, top up of sanitizer, and an initial dose of algaecide will be the only treatment the water needs.
• Perform basic housekeeping chores: Brush and vacuum. Remove, clean, and store the skimmer basket and pump’s strainer basket. Clean the filter using a filter cleaner to quickly remove deposits that are apt to harden over the winter, saving you the extra work at the beginning of next season.
• For In Ground Pools: Put an equalizer plug in the skimmer (it is not necessary to lower the water level). Always follow the instructions in your pool owner’s manual if it says to do it differently.
• Drain the water from the pump, filter, heater, inline chlorinators, hoses and pipes.
• It is recommended that you can disconnect the entire unit and store it indoors.
• If you do, follow the manufacture’s recommendations for lubrication and storage.
• Use winterizing plugs to close off the return lines, vacuum line and skimmer. If you use a skimmer equalizer it is not necessary to drop the water.
• The purpose of covering a pool is to keep leaves and debris out of the water while it isn’t in use.
• If nothing foreign gets into the pool, there’s nothing to alter the water’s chemistry, so you won’t have to add chemicals to compensate for changes.
• It’s important to use a solid pool cover that fits well and is designed for your pool.
• If you decide not to cover your pool or to use a mesh cover, check the sanitizer and pH levels twice a month during the off-season and run your filter continuously 4-5 hours per day.

There are as many answers to this question as there are pool surfaces:

• Tile and stone surfaces, considered the most permanent, can be expected to last decades. Some tile or stones may have to be replaced and reinstalled if they pop out. The grout should last approximately 20 years.
• Plaster, the most common surface for concrete pools, needs resurfacing approximately every 12 to 15 years.
• The life of a vinyl liner depends on the quality of the liner and how well the water chemistry is balanced. Putting a cover on the pool will also extend the liner’s life. By some accounts, a vinyl liner’s life span is anywhere from six to 15 years. Some are guaranteed to hold water for up to 20 years. However, homeowners may want to replace them sooner as patterns begin to fade.
• Pebble and other aggregate surfaces are said to last as long as 15 to 20 years.
• Paint usually needs reapplication within 3 years.
• Fiberglass pool manufacturers say their pools never need resurfacing.

Hot Tub or Spa – water should be checked three time per week for those using chlorine, bromine or a mineral purifier. One time per week for those using a biguinide product such as BaquaSpa. A water sample should be taken to the dealer for analysis one time per month. Swimming Pool – During the swimming season the water should be tested daily or at least 4 times per week for those using chlorine, bromine or a mineral purifier. Those using biguinide products, such as Baquacil, should check the water one time per week. Because the water quality changes quickly on hot days it is important to not let it get out of hand or you may miss days of swimming because of dirty water. A water sample should be taken to the dealer for analysis two times per month.

The heater size you need is based upon several factors, such as the ambient temperature change at your location during a 24 hour period and if you use an insulating cover. Basically, how much heat is retained and how long you want the recovery time to be to reach your desired water temperature.

Consider the following chart a guideline. Please contact one of our pool professionals at Classic Pool & Spa to answer further questions and discuss your options.

Helpful Hint: It is highly recommended that you purchase a solar blanket in conjunction with your new heater for your pool or spa. It does not allow your heated pool water to dissipate as quickly and is designed to utilize the sun to help to heat your pool through solar rays. A solar blanket will reduce your gas cost and keep you pool warmer – longer!

Cartridge type filter – Rinsed weekly, soaked in cleaner when water is changed, and replaced every two years.

• Remove the cartridge from the filter housing following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use a garden hose with a straight flow nozzle to wash down the filter element.
• Work from the top down holding the nozzle at a 45 degree angle and wash all the pleats with emphasis between pleats.
• Rinse until all dirt and debris gone.
• For all spa cartridges and elements used in swimming pools where perspiration, suntan lotions, and other oils are present; soak the element for at least one hour (over night is most effective) in a commercial filter cleaner, such as Filter Fresh.
• Rinse the cartridge again to remove oils and cleaning solution.

Sand type filter – Should be cleaned yearly and all sand changed every four to five years.

•     Backwash and drain filter.
•     Turn pump off.
•     Place filter valve in the backwash position.
•     Pour commercial filter cleaner into pump strainer.
•     Turn pump on to fill filter.
•     Turn pump off when water appears in the backwash sight glass.
•     Leave filter in the backwash position and allow to soak 24 hours.
•     Backwash the filter until the water in the sight glass is clear.
•     Resume normal filter operation