POOL MAINTENANCE
POOL MAINTENANCE LAFAYETTE, FL
Pool Circulation
One of the most important things that you will need to carefully maintain is proper pool circulation. If you have excellent water circulation in your pool, this will prevent algae and other harmful microbes from building up in the water especially during the summer or on hot weather. Aside from this, you will need to regularly clean and remove debris from the skimmers, pump baskets to prevent your filters from clogging. In terms of achieving the best pool circulation, you have to make sure that your pump and filters are running at least 8 to 12 hours a day, especially during the summer season. On the other hand, you have to run your pump at least 4 to 6 hours a day during the winter season. Make sure that you angle the pool’s jets diagonally to achieve the best results. You can have your jets positioned at 7 o’clock or 8 o’clock position to make sure that you will have excellent water circulation.
How To Clean A Cartridge Filter
Pool cleaning involves cleaning your cartridge filter. It would be more convenient to clean your pool filters instead of buying a new one. There are three types of filters namely, cartridge filters, sand filters, and D.E. filters. However, we will look more into cleaning cartridge filters and sand filters. On average, it will only take at least approximately 30 minutes to clean your cartridge filter. It is essential to check the pressure gauge first before proceeding to the cleaning part. If the pressure gauge shows a psi of 8 to 12, this means that your filter needs cleaning.
The first step that you need to do is to make sure that the filtration system is completely turned off before removing the cartridge filter. This will help avoid damage to your filtration system and this will also avoid water contamination. Next, you will need to make sure that the automatic setting of your filtration system is completely turned off for the whole duration of the cleaning process.
Initially, you will need to remove trapped air from the filter, and in order to achieve this, slowly turn the air relief valve and make sure that air is completely removed from the tank. The next thing that you will do is to unlock the tension clamps. These clamps hold the filter in place inside the tank. If you determine that the locking mechanism is quite different or if you are not sure how to remove it, it is best to refer to the user manual just to make sure and to avoid damaging the locking mechanism.
Once you have removed the tension clamps, make sure to set them aside as you will need them to replace the filter once cleaned. Start by removing the cartridge filter and check for any cracks or tears. If you see large visible damages, then it would be best to replace them with a new one. If you do not see any damage to the filter, you can start cleaning the cartridge filter. Keep in mind that damaged filters are not efficient in filtering water, so you might as well replace them for better results.
When cleaning a cartridge filter, make sure to use a pressurized water hose. This is very effective in pushing debris and other material stuck in the cartridge filter. Always start from the top of the filter and gradually work your way down to the bottom of the filter. Make sure to clean in between the pleats of the cartridge filter. There are available cartridge cleaning tools that you can use to effectively clean the filter.
Oil and other chemical buildups might be present in the cartridge filters and if this is the case, try to soak the cartridge elements in a filter cleaner for a few minutes and you can also use dishwashing detergent to help remove the oil and other chemicals in the filter. You have to make sure that you rinse the cartridge filter properly before you reinstall the cartridge filter back into the tank.
Once you are done cleaning the cartridge filter, you will need to apply a silicon-based lubricant to the O-ring before you install the filter. This is crucial to help extend the lifespan of the O-ring. The next step is to install the cartridge filter and make sure it is firmly in place and secure the tank lid. Check if everything is secured and turn on the filtration system while keeping the air valve open just to make sure that excess air is released from the tank.
After making sure that everything is in place, turn on the filtration system and the next thing that you would need to do is to see and check if there is a PSI reading. If you do not see any, then it means that the filter was not secured or placed properly. Once you have confirmed that everything is secured, turn on the filtration system and you should be able to see a normal reading of 10 to 15 psi.
How To Clean A Sand Filter
Many homeowners choose sand filters as their top choice especially when it comes to inground pool filtration systems. For the most part, sand filters are very easy to maintain and clean and at the same time, affordable. Regular maintenance and cleaning will keep your sand filters working efficiently. You can clean sand filters by yourself and it is very simple and easy.
The first thing that you would want to do is to check the PSI reading to determine if your sand filter needs cleaning. If you see a reading of 10 to 15 psi, this is within the normal range. However, if you determine that the psi reading shows you 20 to 25 psi, then you will need to start cleaning the sand filter. You will need to use the backwashing option in the valve. In another instance, you might observe that the pool water might also be cloudy which requires cleaning. Backwashing reverses the flow of water back to the sand filter through a hose to help eliminate debris.
Before you start the backwashing procedure, you have to make sure that both the pool power and pump is completely turned off. Turn your attention to the valve and you will see different settings such as backwash, waste, rinse, recirculate, flush, and closed. Start by turning the lever and point it to the backwash setting. The next thing that you will need to do is to turn the power on and run the pump for at least 2 to 3 minutes and then turn the power off. Wait for the loose sand to settle and then turn the lever to the rinse setting. Turn the power on and run it for 3 minutes then turn the power off.
The next step is to switch the lever to the waste setting. You can also use this option to reduce the amount of water in your pool just in case you would like to manually vacuum the pool floor. You can also use the waste setting if you want to avoid water from returning back into the pool. The flush setting can also be used to drain the water from the pool. You have to make sure that you clean the pump baskets and skimmers to avoid debris from clogging the basket and filters.
Brushing
Brushing will help keep your pool from algae buildup. When brushing your pool, you have to make sure that you brush the steps, walls, and pool ladders and other hard-to-reach areas to make sure that your pool is algae-free.
Skimming
Skimming is typically cleaning the surface of the pool to remove leaves or other debris. This is easier as compared to manual vacuuming. It is important to skim the surface of the water regularly to minimize debris collection and clogging in the basket, skimmers, and filters.
Vacuuming
Vacuum your pool at least once or twice a week. You can choose to invest in an automatic pool cleaner or you can manually vacuum your swimming pool. Vacuuming is an essential task in pool cleaning.
Water Chemistry
The pH levels and alkalinity of the water in your pool should always be checked to make sure that there is a perfect balance of water chemistry. The normal pH level of water should be between 7.2 to 7.6 and the water alkalinity should reach 100 to 150 ppm. In terms of chlorine levels, it should be at least 1.0 to 3.0 ppm. Other chemicals such as Cyanuric acid must be around 25 to 50 ppm and Biguanide should be at least 3 to 50 ppm.
Hire Pool Builders of Lafayette, LA
Save yourself the hassle of maintaining and cleaning your inground pool. At Pool Builders of Lafayette, LA, we go the extra mile to provide high-quality services at reasonable rates. You can count on us for experienced professionals and premium cleansing agents. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our pool maintenance and cleaning solutions. We look forward to working with you!
