Swimming Pool Chemicals
Do you have a swimming pool or hot tub? This quick and easy guide shows you the steps to protecting your investment over the winter months and ensuring you can be ready to open it again in spring with a minimum of fuss, effort and cost. Never suffer from a green, algae-ridden pool again!
- Chemical Balance • Balance the water pH between 7.2 – 7.6 – Use testing strips (cheap and easy) • “Shock” treat the water – Raise chlorine/sanitiser to higher levels for a short period – 20 parts per million – N.B. this is NOT a safe level for swimming – Remove the nitrates and organic residue this will leave (usually at the pool bottom)
- Clean, clean, clean! • Brush the walls – Remove any residue or build-up on the pool walls • Vacuum the pool – Pool “robots” make life easier! Time spent in cleaning the pool will pay off when it comes to re-opening it in spring.
- Algaecide • Add an algaecide – Acts differently to Chlorine to effectively kill algae – Reduces and inhibits algae growth – Makes chlorination work more efficiently – saving you money and using less chemicals No algaecide = green pool in the spring!
- Mechanical Drainage • Drain down the pool – Reduce water levels to 6 inches below the skimmer – this reduces water freezing risks Backwashing the sand filter to “waste” is a hassle-free way of doing this. Do not drop levels lower than this – you can risk damaging the pool liner or shifting the surround.
- Decommission • Turn off electrical equipment – Switch off or isolate electrical sources • Drain the pipework – Protects against frost – Drain the pump, filter, heater and all exposed pipework – Useful tip: Keep the “O-rings” in a jar or zip-lock bag to prevent perishing.
- Lastly . . . Remove any equipment – Keep ladders, boards, slides safely stored and out of the way of the weather • Cover the pool – Check the cover isn’t damaged – Make sure it’s fixed on securely (stormy winds and child safety)
- Pool covers – Reduce leaf litter and biological debris: less growth media for bacteria and algae – Cuts down light for algae build-up – Reduce evaporation and mineral build-up: maintains water balance – Long-lasting if looked after well: consider using a reel to look after large covers Check for damage! They do wear out
- Measuring a pool cover: – Depends on pool shape: measure largest “rectangle” and add in additional areas
- Choose material and fixings – A cover is only as good as how it’s secured . . . The UK has experienced sever winter storms recently – Anti-chafing straps will stop damage – Ensure nothing (or no-one) can crawl underneath Safety first! Even safety covers are not designed to be walked on. Always ensure children and animals are supervised, even near a covered pool.
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