Why You Should Never Swap Swimming Pool Antifreeze With Automotive Antifreeze

When you're getting ready to close your fibreglass pool for the winter months, you may be considering using swimming antifreeze. It should, however, never be swapped out with automotive antifreeze. This is because both products are meant for separate things. Antifreeze meant for swimming pools has propylene glycol in it. Automotive antifreeze, on the other hand, has ethylene glycol.

This means that automotive antifreeze, when added to the pool water, can mix with the chlorine in the pool. It will also mix with other chemicals you may have added while closing your pool. As a result, the water in your pool can become toxic. If you do add automotive antifreeze to your pool, then you could be damaging your pool. Come spring, you'll have an expensive clean-up and repair job ahead of you.

What is swimming pool antifreeze?

If you own a fibreglass pool, then you should first understand what swimming pool antifreeze is, before you use it. Swimming pool antifreeze is essentially a liquid solvent that’s used in preventing water within the pool plumbing from freezing. If the water does freeze then it may expand, or cause other kinds of damage to the pool, over the course of the winter months.

When you use antifreeze meant for swimming pools, then your fibreglass pool will be protected through the cold of the winter. If it snows where you live, or if the temperatures fall dangerously low during the winter. Then you should consider using swimming pool antifreeze to protect your pool.

In many cases, you may not need to use antifreeze in your pool at all. This especially applies if you’ve already blown the pipes out, removing any of the water that might be remaining in them. Swimming pool antifreeze is more like an extra form of protection for your pool if you are not sure whether your pool pipes are properly cleaned or not.

Ingredients used in swimming pool antifreeze

The most common ingredient that you can find in swimming pool antifreeze, is propylene glycol. This substance has the ability to absorb water, and it prevents drain leakage from forming in the first place. It also stops the pipes of the pool from becoming frozen, which could cause them to crack. If there are any cracks in your plumbing, then getting it repaired can be expensive.

Note that the ingredients used in swimming pool antifreeze are different from what’s used in automotive antifreeze. Automotive antifreeze uses ethylene glycol, which when mixed with the pool closing chemicals, can turn the pool water toxic. This toxic water can affect the shell of your pool, as well as other pool accessories.

Should you use swimming pool antifreeze in your pool?

Swimming pool antifreeze is not toxic, and it won’t hurt anyone using your swimming pool. However, you should still avoid spilling pool antifreeze directly into the water of your pool. Instead, pool antifreeze is used on the pipes of the pool.

The biggest benefit to using swimming pool antifreeze in your pool is that you will be able to ensure that the pipes will be damage free. During the winter, the pipes can get frozen, which can in turn cause them to get damaged. However, swimming pool antifreeze can end up reacting badly to either rubber or metal. So you’ll need to make sure that there isn’t any equipment nearby that might be exposed to the antifreeze as well. This is because such equipment can end up getting damaged.

How do you use swimming pool antifreeze?

When you want to add pool antifreeze to your fibreglass pool, you should never add it directly into the water of your pool. Instead, it should be poured into the pipe that connects to the skimmer basket.

You may also be wondering how much antifreeze you should add to your pool. In case the pipes of your pool have plenty of water, then you’ll need to use around a gallon of antifreeze. This can help you cover around ten feet of a pipeline that is 1.5 inches. You should also note that you should only add small amounts of antifreeze into pipes that are empty.

Before you can add the antifreeze, you’ll need to remove the pool’s skimmer basket first. Remove the plug as well, so that the pipe that you’ll be pouring the antifreeze into, can be exposed. You should also ensure that the level of the water is below the basket line of the skimmer. This helps prevent water from going near the pipe that’s being treated.

Once the water in your pool is at the perfect level, it’s time to add antifreeze to your skimmer. But this antifreeze will need to be diluted first. This provides an additional layer of protection to your skimmer line.

What you should know about adding pool antifreeze to your fibreglass pool

Never use anything other than swimming pool antifreeze, on your pool. Some people wonder if they can use the antifreeze they add to their cars, but this is a bad idea. The core ingredient present in swimming pool antifreeze is different from what’s in automotive antifreeze. If you add automotive antifreeze to your fibreglass pool, then this can turn the water in your pool toxic.

You should also never pour the antifreeze directly into the water of your pool. This way, there are chances that the antifreeze can splash back and hit you. If some swimming pool antifreeze does get into the water of your fibreglass pool, then there’s nothing to worry about. This is because swimming pool antifreeze is non-toxic. However, the same can’t be said for automotive antifreeze. If automotive antifreeze enters the water of your pool, then the pool will need to be thoroughly cleaned before anyone can use it.

Conclusion

You should never use automotive antifreeze instead of swimming pool antifreeze, in your pool. This is as ethylene glycol, which is found in automotive antifreeze, can mix with the pool chemicals to create a toxic environment. Instead, only use swimming pool antifreeze, which uses propylene glycol, in your fibreglass pool.

Why You Should Never Swap Swimming Pool Antifreeze With Automotive Antifreeze

When you're getting ready to close your fibreglass pool for the winter months, you may be considering using swimming antifreeze. It should, however, never be swapped out with automotive antifreeze. This is because both products are meant for separate things. Antifreeze meant for swimming pools has propylene glycol in it. Automotive antifreeze, on the other hand, has ethylene glycol.

This means that automotive antifreeze, when added to the pool water, can mix with the chlorine in the pool. It will also mix with other chemicals you may have added while closing your pool. As a result, the water in your pool can become toxic. If you do add automotive antifreeze to your pool, then you could be damaging your pool. Come spring, you'll have an expensive clean-up and repair job ahead of you.

What is swimming pool antifreeze?

Ingredients used in swimming pool antifreeze

Should you use swimming pool antifreeze in your pool?

How do you use swimming pool antifreeze?

What you should know about adding pool antifreeze to your fibreglass pool

Conclusion

Why It's A Good Idea To Elevate Your Pool Equipment

If you live in an area that's prone to flooding, then elevating your pool equipment can be a great idea. More and more fibreglass pool owners are learning about the benefits of elevating their pool equipment. Not only are people becoming more aware of why pool equipment should be elevated, but also of how it can be elevated.

Should you experience flooding a lot, in the area you live in, then sudden floods can end up impacting and even damaging your pool equipment. You may also find yourself dealing with intense storms and even hurricanes. If this is the case, especially if you’re expecting flooding of any kind to affect your area, ensure that your pool equipment is elevated. This is because otherwise, your pool equipment could be damaged.

If this happens, then you may find yourself paying for an expensive repair job. Replacing your pool equipment also comes with a hefty price tag.

Elevating Your Pool Equipment: How High Should It Be?

Say your fibreglass pool is situated in an area that’s designated as a floodplain. You could also be living near a waterway along the coast.

If this is the case, then all your pool equipment needs to be at least above the base water level that’s expected, when the flood rolls in. You can try to anticipate how much the water level is likely to rise and keep your pool equipment at an elevation that’s higher.

You can also get in touch with your local office for managing floodplains. They can tell you what the base water level that you can expect in case of a flood is. Then, you can place your pool equipment at a level where the flood water is unlikely to affect it. If you have a pool pump that’s inground, then there’s a huge chance that this could be self-priming as well.

This means that your pool pump should have enough suction such that it can pull the water up in the vertical direction, through the pipes of the pump. In case the pool pump is located too high above the level of the water in the pool, then this can cause issues. You could find yourself dealing with air leaks. If this happens, then your pool equipment will end up drawing air over water.

You should also ensure that the check valves are properly in place. This help to keep water from the pool, within the pipes. This water won’t go back through your pipes and back to your pool. Instead, the check valves ensure that the flow can only go in one direction.

This helps to trap pool water within the pump. Your check valves should be placed in front of your pump. You can also place it at the ground level, on a system that’s raised.

What Do You Need to Elevate Your Pool Equipment?

It’s easier to raise any pool equipment that you have, instead of shifting all your pool equipment to a separate place in your backyard. If you need to make your pool pipes longer, then you can do this with the help of PVC fittings as well as piping.

Every pool pump also comes with a wiring harness. This is often a conduit that’s flexible. It’s possible to retrofit this harness to your new height, without rewiring your pump.

For the incoming pipes, you’ll need to use your check valves. This will help to keep the water within the pool system, even when the pump has been shut off. With check valves, you’ll need to use pipes that are between 1.5″ and 2.5″.

How Can You Elevate Pool Equipment?

There are various ways for you to elevate the pool equipment that you have, in a safe manner. You can make use of a platform that’s raised, made of either plastic or wood. You can also use stacks of cinder blocks, to raise your pool equipment. Remember that the durability, as well as the structural integrity of what you’re doing, is essential.

In case you live in an area where it floods often, then the raised platform that you create will need to be sturdy enough to not collapse.

Here is what you can use to elevate pool equipment:

Wooden Box

You could think about creating a wooden box, to help you elevate the pool equipment that you have. First, ensure that you find ground that is stable and sturdy to keep the box on. Then, add extra inches to all the sides, to ensure that you have enough space to keep the actual pool equipment.

Finally, you’ll also need to reinforce your wooden box using either a steel mesh. You should also get a sealant that’s waterproof, to ensure that the wood doesn’t rot.

Raising the Pump

You may not need to elevate all the pool equipment that you have. There are parts that can do just fine, even when exposed to flood water. You do need to raise your pool pump, as well as the pool heater. But the pool filter, the valves as well as the pipes, can be kept on ground level.

You can make use of a cinder block, to lift your pool pump. If your pool has any components that are electrical, then these should also be elevated.

To raise any of the electrical parts, you will need to call your electrician. They will then move the breaker box of your pool, as well as any electrical elements that it may have, to the elevated platform. Don’t try to do this yourself, as it can be a complicated process to revamp the electrical setup of your fibreglass pool.

Conclusion

If you live in an area where it floods a lot, then leaving your pool equipment on the ground level can be dangerous. In such cases, you’ll need to elevate your pool equipment. There are ways that you can go about doing this. You could get a wooden box, or build a wooden platform. You could also choose to only have certain pool equipment elevated, while others remain at the ground level.

Use this guide to learn more about why you should raise your fibreglass pool equipment, as well as how you can make that possible.

Why It's A Good Idea To Elevate Your Pool Equipment

If you live in an area that's prone to flooding, then elevating your pool equipment can be a great idea. More and more fibreglass pool owners are learning about the benefits of elevating their pool equipment. Not only are people becoming more aware of why pool equipment should be elevated, but also of how it can be elevated.

If this happens, then you may find yourself paying for an expensive repair job. Replacing your pool equipment also comes with a hefty price tag.

Elevating Your Pool Equipment: How High Should It Be?

Say your fibreglass pool is situated in an area that’s designated as a floodplain. You could also be living near a waterway along the coast.

This helps to trap pool water within the pump. Your check valves should be placed in front of your pump. You can also place it at the ground level, on a system that’s raised.

What Do You Need to Elevate Your Pool Equipment?

Every pool pump also comes with a wiring harness. This is often a conduit that’s flexible. It’s possible to retrofit this harness to your new height, without rewiring your pump.

How Can You Elevate Pool Equipment?

In case you live in an area where it floods often, then the raised platform that you create will need to be sturdy enough to not collapse.

Here is what you can use to elevate pool equipment:

Wooden Box

Finally, you’ll also need to reinforce your wooden box using either a steel mesh. You should also get a sealant that’s waterproof, to ensure that the wood doesn’t rot.

Raising the Pump

You can make use of a cinder block, to lift your pool pump. If your pool has any components that are electrical, then these should also be elevated.

Conclusion

Use this guide to learn more about why you should raise your fibreglass pool equipment, as well as how you can make that possible.

Why You Should Seal Your Fibreglass Swimming Pool Deck

When you are installing a new fibreglass swimming pool or getting your existing pool ready for the swimming season, it’s now just the pool you need to take care of. You must be using your swimming pool deck as much or even more than your swimming pool. So, before you splash into that fibreglass pool of yours, take a good look at your pool deck.

It looks clean, well-scrubbed, and ready for use. Stop! Ask yourself, is it protected from abrasion and harsh chemicals? Have you done anything to save it from fading? Your fibreglass pool project involves more than selecting and installing a pool. Pool deck care and maintenance need as much attention as the pool for you and your family to spend many relaxing hours by the poolside. Sealing the pool deck is an important part of pool care. There are several benefits of applying pool deck sealers that cannot be overlooked. Let’s take a look at why is your pool deck important and how sealers prolong the life of your deck and enhance its beauty.

What is a concrete pool deck sealer?

Before moving to the advantage of desk sealers, it is important to understand what exactly a sealer is and how it works.

Swimming pool deck sealers are usually of two types –

Acrylic sealers
Penetrating sealers

These sealers are more than just beauty enhancers for your deck. They come in various finishes that are anti-slip, which prevents users from slipping and getting injured. Additionally, they make surfaces stain-resistant. Sealants also minimise the openings on concrete surfaces, which reduces water penetration and salt absorption.

Advantages of pool deck sealers

Sealers prevent cracking

Cracks appearing on concrete pool decks is nothing uncommon. Cracks become more rapid when the concrete deck is exposed directly to the sun and rain. Temperature differences lead to the expansion and contraction of the concrete resulting in cracks.

These cracks can not only rob the aesthetics of your poolside but also make way for weeds to grow. Weeds peeking through the pavers is not a pool owner’s dream for sure! One of the best ways to prevent concrete decks from cracking is to apply a sealant. Cracks can also compromise the structural integrity of the pool and lead to costly damages. To prevent large expenses later, the easier alternative is to use a concrete deck sealer. Sealers protect the concrete surface from coming in direct contact with the weathering elements.

Sealers prevent the growth of moss, mould, fungi

Moisture is the best friend of moss and mould! There is constant moisture present around your swimming pool. That creates a perfect home for moss and mould growth. Once they develop, it is an extremely difficult task to get rid of them.

You can try to remove them manually (which is a Herculean task) but that may cause harm to the surface of your pool deck. Bleach solution may be a way to remove moss, but any careless move with potent bleach can cause irreversible damage to the deck. You don’t have to take this battle if you apply a sealant on the surface.

Applying a sealer to the deck considerably slows down the growth of moss and mould. That makes the surface less slippery and dirty. Leaving the concrete surface as it is, leads to the accumulation of dirt and oil that leaves stains and dulls out the colour of the deck.

Additionally, when leaves and debris blow with the wind and remain on the deck for a while, they lead to the development of fungi and unsightly stains. Ugly spots and patches may appear from spilled oils, cosmetics, etc. By sealing the deck, the surface remains protected from all these undesired things.

Just one or two coats of a sealant can make your deck an all-weather, incredible-looking, surface that will not fade, come rain or sunshine!

Sealers protect the deck from efflorescence

Have you noticed chalky residue on your pool deck? It may be due to efflorescence or salt deposits. It is a common natural occurrence that happens due to calcium carbonate deposits. It is natural for water to drip everywhere on the poolside. The salt deposits on the deck when water evaporates. The porous pool deck makes the ideal ground for efflorescence. Once the chalk-like residue becomes old and hard, it may be extremely difficult to remove it. If you ignore this issue, it may spoil the aesthetic appeal of your deck and call for expensive replacements. Sealing the deck is a great way to prevent cloudy deposits from spoiling the look of your beautiful deck.

Sealers work as sunscreen for the pool deck

The strong sun can fade almost anything. Your outdoor swimming pool deck is exposed to the scorching sun throughout the day. That can make your deck lose its sheen and good looks quickly, looking worn out and old.

To preserve the original colour of your deck you need a protective layer that will prevent the UV rays from hitting directly on the deck. To stop this degradation, a sealant is an answer!

Conclusion

Pool deck sealers not only protect your deck and make it look new for years but also offer you a choice of what kind of look you want to give your deck. A satin finish, high gloss, matte, and slip-resistant surface, what’s your choice? Concrete deck sealers come in a wide variety of ranges and help your deck achieve a superior finish along with protection.

A deck safeguarded by a sealer can handle the abuse of foot traffic, water spills, the weather, and all the other harsh things that happen to the concrete surface. When the sealer wears off, you can reapply it and the job is done! Reapplication of deck sealant may be required anytime between three years to a decade, depending on the usage and other conditions.

The pros of applying pool sealer make it a necessary process for all pool owners to consider. You have a lot to gain by choosing the right kind of sealer for your fibreglass pool deck.

The concrete surface remains well protected from exposure to the sun.
Dissolved salt and chemicals in the water do not penetrate the deck surface.
Dull, worn-out, and faded surfaces will get an instant new look.
Coloured concrete gets superior protection against fading.
Concrete becomes resistant to abrasion from weather elements.
The surface is resistant to staining.
The deck becomes protected from moss, mould, and fungi growth.

Why You Should Seal Your Fibreglass Swimming Pool Deck

When you are installing a new fibreglass swimming pool or getting your existing pool ready for the swimming season, it’s now just the pool you need to take care of. You must be using your swimming pool deck as much or even more than your swimming pool. So, before you splash into that fibreglass pool of yours, take a good look at your pool deck.

It looks clean, well-scrubbed, and ready for use. Stop! Ask yourself, is it protected from abrasion and harsh chemicals? Have you done anything to save it from fading? Your fibreglass pool project involves more than selecting and installing a pool. Pool deck care and maintenance need as much attention as the pool for you and your family to spend many relaxing hours by the poolside. Sealing the pool deck is an important part of pool care. There are several benefits of applying pool deck sealers that cannot be overlooked. Let’s take a look at why is your pool deck important and how sealers prolong the life of your deck and enhance its beauty.

What is a concrete pool deck sealer?

Before moving to the advantage of desk sealers, it is important to understand what exactly a sealer is and how it works.

Swimming pool deck sealers are usually of two types –

Acrylic sealers
Penetrating sealers

Advantages of pool deck sealers

Sealers prevent cracking

Sealers prevent the growth of moss, mould, fungi

Just one or two coats of a sealant can make your deck an all-weather, incredible-looking, surface that will not fade, come rain or sunshine!

Sealers protect the deck from efflorescence

Sealers work as sunscreen for the pool deck

To preserve the original colour of your deck you need a protective layer that will prevent the UV rays from hitting directly on the deck. To stop this degradation, a sealant is an answer!

Conclusion

The pros of applying pool sealer make it a necessary process for all pool owners to consider. You have a lot to gain by choosing the right kind of sealer for your fibreglass pool deck.

The concrete surface remains well protected from exposure to the sun.
Dissolved salt and chemicals in the water do not penetrate the deck surface.
Dull, worn-out, and faded surfaces will get an instant new look.
Coloured concrete gets superior protection against fading.
Concrete becomes resistant to abrasion from weather elements.
The surface is resistant to staining.
The deck becomes protected from moss, mould, and fungi growth.

Why You Should Invest In A Pool Timer For Your Pool Pump

Is it really beneficial for you to invest in a pool pump timer? You can always go out to your fibreglass pool and manually operate the pool pump, turning it off and on as necessary. If you can do it yourself, why invest in a pool pump timer at all?

Pool Pump Timer - What Is It?

Pool pump timers help you to automate the times at which you turn on and off your pool pump. You can choose when the pool pump turns on, as well as how long it should stay on. This way, even if you aren’t at home – you can still turn your pool pump on and off.

Why Do You Need A Pool Pump Timer?

You’ll need to run your pool filter and pump every single day. Aside from when you add chlorine to your pool, you’ll need to run the pool pump as well. This helps ensure that the water in your fibreglass pool is clean and safe to use. But why is the pool pump important?

Your pool pump helps provide circulation as well as filtration, which are necessary to keep the water in your fibreglass pool clean. If the pool filter isn’t being run properly, then the water in your pool could turn cloudy. With the help of a pool pump timer, you can ensure that you maintain a schedule for running the pool pump every day.

A pool pump timer helps you to run the pool pump at the same time each day, as well for the same duration of time, every day. You’ll be able to relax by knowing that the water in your pool is being filtered on a regular basis. A pool pump timer can also permit the pool pump to rest on a regular basis. How much electricity you’re consuming will also be controlled.

You also don’t have to worry about turning the pool pump on manually, or forgetting to switch it off. At no point will you need to manually go out to the pool, to operate your pool filter. If you’re planning on going on a vacation, or say you simply stay away from home often. If this is the case, then investing in a pool pump timer could be perfect for you. Whether you’re at home or not, your pool pump will run for the same amount of time, as well as a fixed amount of time, each day.

What Are The Advantages Of Investing In A Pool Pump Timer

If you bring a pool pump timer home, you can enjoy the following benefits:

Even if you aren’t at home, your fibreglass pool will still be cleaned regularly
Since you won’t end up running your pool pump more than you need to, you consume less energy
When you’ve lowered how much energy you consumed, you can save on energy bills as well
It’s possible for you to choose how long the pool pump runs, so you can make sure that the pool pump isn’t on when people are using the pool
Your pool pump will operate for the same duration of time each day
You don’t have to remember to turn the pool pump on or off, manually, each day

What Are The Disadvantages Of Getting A Pool Pump Timer?

Now that you know what the advantages are, let’s look at some of the disadvantages as well. They include:

In case you experience a power outage, the timer will need to be reset
It’s possible for timer parts, like switches and gears to break, which will then need replacement
It’s more expensive to both buy as well as have installed

How Is A Pool Pump Timer Installed?

You’ll be provided with a timer manual when you purchase your pool pump timer. This timer manual can help you to install your timer. Remember that you’ll be working with electricity, and that can be dangerous. This is why you’ll need to consult an electrician or your pool installer, about installing the timer for you. Here is how the timer will be installed:

1. Electricity Is Turned Off

The first step is ensuring that the pool pump is turned off from the circuit breaker. This way, no electricity will flow towards the pool pump.

2. Connecting The Timer

Then, the timer will need to be connected to the source of electricity. You can find two kinds of timers. The first of these is a plug-in timer. If you have a small pool pump that doesn’t end up drawing a large amount of current, then you can use a plug-in timer. This kind of timer is more suited to a pool that’s above ground, as well as pools that are semi-permanent. In case you want a plug-in timer, ensure that you check the rating of your pool pump first.

The second option is a hard-wired timer. These are better suited to permanent pools as well as inground pools. This timer will need to be connected directly to the pump’s circuit. You won’t need to plug this one in. You can also get hard-wired timers for various kinds of pool pumps.

3. Power Is Restored

Then, you’ll need to program your timer using the instructions in the manual. The timer should be set to run for at least six hours every day during the winter season. During the summer, increase this duration to ten hours each day. This way, you can make sure that the water in your pool is properly cleaned.

Think of running the pool pump during hours that are off-peak, such as early in the morning or late in the evening. This will help you reduce costs related to electricity consumption.

Conclusion

There are a few reasons why you should invest in a pool pump timer. You can automate the process of running your pool pump every day, even if you aren’t at home. You can even set the pool pump to run at a time that’s different from when you use the pool.

During the summer season, you’ll need to run your pool pump longer than in the winter, so you’ll need to set your pool pump timer properly. Use this guide to learn all about pool pump timers.

Why You Should Invest In A Pool Timer For Your Pool Pump

Is it really beneficial for you to invest in a pool pump timer? You can always go out to your fibreglass pool and manually operate the pool pump, turning it off and on as necessary. If you can do it yourself, why invest in a pool pump timer at all?

Pool Pump Timer - What Is It?

Why Do You Need A Pool Pump Timer?

What Are The Advantages Of Investing In A Pool Pump Timer

If you bring a pool pump timer home, you can enjoy the following benefits:

Even if you aren’t at home, your fibreglass pool will still be cleaned regularly
Since you won’t end up running your pool pump more than you need to, you consume less energy
When you’ve lowered how much energy you consumed, you can save on energy bills as well
It’s possible for you to choose how long the pool pump runs, so you can make sure that the pool pump isn’t on when people are using the pool
Your pool pump will operate for the same duration of time each day
You don’t have to remember to turn the pool pump on or off, manually, each day

What Are The Disadvantages Of Getting A Pool Pump Timer?

Now that you know what the advantages are, let’s look at some of the disadvantages as well. They include:

In case you experience a power outage, the timer will need to be reset
It’s possible for timer parts, like switches and gears to break, which will then need replacement
It’s more expensive to both buy as well as have installed

How Is A Pool Pump Timer Installed?

1. Electricity Is Turned Off

The first step is ensuring that the pool pump is turned off from the circuit breaker. This way, no electricity will flow towards the pool pump.

2. Connecting The Timer

3. Power Is Restored

Think of running the pool pump during hours that are off-peak, such as early in the morning or late in the evening. This will help you reduce costs related to electricity consumption.

Conclusion

During the summer season, you’ll need to run your pool pump longer than in the winter, so you’ll need to set your pool pump timer properly. Use this guide to learn all about pool pump timers.

Swimming Pool Water Circulation - Everything You Need To Know

Swimming pool water circulation is one of the most important aspects of owning a swimming pool. It is also a very complex piece of technology, so it's not surprising that many homeowners are confused about how to keep their pools properly circulated. There are several different types of ways to circulate water in a pool, and they can be implemented differently depending on your needs as well as the type of pool you have. In this article, we'll discuss some common questions about pool circulation systems.

What Is A Pool Circulation System?

A pool circulation system is a device that moves water through a swimming pool. The purpose of this type of device is to keep the water clean and sanitary. This can be difficult if you don’t have enough time or money to spend on maintenance activities.

There are two main components of a pool circulation system:

A pump (usually mounted on the bottom) forces the water upward through pipes installed inside your swimming pool walls. These pipes also carry out additional duties like cleaning chemicals into areas where they’re needed most. These chemicals are designed specifically for removing leaves from swimmable surfaces like tiles or marble tiles around entryways.
Filters are located at various points throughout their length so as not just to remove particulate matter but also bacteria when necessary.

What are the Different Parts of The Pool Circulation System?

The pool circulation system is made up of a pump, filter, return and water level sensors. The pump draws water from the pool and pushes it through your filter. From there, it returns to the pool to be pumped out again by another portion of your pump system. This cycle continues until all of the water has been filtered through your pool filter and then returned back into your swimming area. It also involves an automatic drain plug that allows you to shut off this process at night or when you’re not using your pool during certain times.

Why is good pool circulation necessary?

Pool circulation is important to improve the quality of your pool. Without it, you are running a risk of losing out on your investment. Here is why good pool circulation is necessary.

Keeping the water in your pool clean.
Making it easier to clean the pool.
Reducing the amount of time it takes to clean the pool.
Reducing the amount of chemicals needed to keep the water clean and clear
Reducing algae growth, bacteria growth, and dead spots in your swimming pool’s circulation system (also known as “sludge”).

Maintaining Your Pool Circulation System

Maintaining your pool circulation system is good for your pool in the long run. Here are a few tips you can use for the same:

Make sure the pump is clean. You can maintain your pool circulation system by cleaning it regularly with a brush and a garden hose.
Check the filter on occasion to ensure that it is not clogged up with debris, which will affect how well your water circulates throughout your pool.
Add chemicals as needed if you notice an algae problem or other problem with your saltwater system (for example, high levels of nitrates).

Keeping the Pool Water Circulation System Clean

In order to ensure that you have good pool water circulation, you have to keep it clean and maintain it. Here are a few things for you to remember.

Check the pool pump filter regularly.
Clean the pool pump filter.
Clean the pool pump basket.
Clean the skimmer basket and impeller blades (if applicable).
Clean any debris blocking your return jet or main drain, as well as any other areas where water may regularly collect (such as overhangs and corners).

Ways to Improve the Circulation of Pool water

There are a lot of ways through which you can improve the circulation of your fibreglass pool. Here are a few that you must try:

Install a variable-speed pump. Variable-speed pumps are more efficient than single-speed pumps. They can save you money, be quieter, and allow you to adjust the flow of water in your pool.
Use a pool cover. They not only protect your pool from debris but also help with circulation.
Install a water heater, which will help keep the water at its ideal temperature and circulate it through your pump more efficiently.
Use a sand filter, which removes debris from the pool’s bottom so that you can see what’s going on in there. This way, you don’t have to spend hours scrubbing. It is important to note that these are not meant for daily use. In fact, they’re best when used once or twice per week only.
Have an automatic chlorinator installed by your local dealer if you want convenience. This will ensure that you don’t have to add chlorine every few days manually.

How to Make Sure You Have Proper Jet Settings

If you’re looking to keep your swimming pool clean and clear, it’s important to make sure that the jets are set at their proper levels. Jet settings are used in order to circulate water throughout your pool. When they aren’t adjusted properly, this can lead to poor circulation and filtration efficiency, which can negatively affect water quality.

The simplest way of checking if your jet is working correctly is by measuring how much gas there is coming out of each one. If too little gas comes out of one or two jets, then they may need some adjustments made on them before using them again. You can also check by turning off all other systems (such as pumps) until after winterizing has been completed. This way, nothing else will be running during this process. This also ensures that no leaks occur between these two processes taking place simultaneously without interfering with each other’s progress toward completion.

Conclusion

Now that you know what the pool circulation system is and why it is important, you are prepared to take care of it. If you are unsure about your capabilities to do the same, it is recommended that you contact professionals. With their help, you can ensure that you and your loved ones have a good swimming experience.

Swimming Pool Water Circulation - Everything You Need To Know

Swimming pool water circulation is one of the most important aspects of owning a swimming pool. It is also a very complex piece of technology, so it's not surprising that many homeowners are confused about how to keep their pools properly circulated. There are several different types of ways to circulate water in a pool, and they can be implemented differently depending on your needs as well as the type of pool you have. In this article, we'll discuss some common questions about pool circulation systems.

What Is A Pool Circulation System?

There are two main components of a pool circulation system:

A pump (usually mounted on the bottom) forces the water upward through pipes installed inside your swimming pool walls. These pipes also carry out additional duties like cleaning chemicals into areas where they’re needed most. These chemicals are designed specifically for removing leaves from swimmable surfaces like tiles or marble tiles around entryways.
Filters are located at various points throughout their length so as not just to remove particulate matter but also bacteria when necessary.

What are the Different Parts of The Pool Circulation System?

Why is good pool circulation necessary?

Pool circulation is important to improve the quality of your pool. Without it, you are running a risk of losing out on your investment. Here is why good pool circulation is necessary.

Keeping the water in your pool clean.
Making it easier to clean the pool.
Reducing the amount of time it takes to clean the pool.
Reducing the amount of chemicals needed to keep the water clean and clear
Reducing algae growth, bacteria growth, and dead spots in your swimming pool’s circulation system (also known as “sludge”).

Maintaining Your Pool Circulation System

Maintaining your pool circulation system is good for your pool in the long run. Here are a few tips you can use for the same:

Make sure the pump is clean. You can maintain your pool circulation system by cleaning it regularly with a brush and a garden hose.
Check the filter on occasion to ensure that it is not clogged up with debris, which will affect how well your water circulates throughout your pool.
Add chemicals as needed if you notice an algae problem or other problem with your saltwater system (for example, high levels of nitrates).

Keeping the Pool Water Circulation System Clean

In order to ensure that you have good pool water circulation, you have to keep it clean and maintain it. Here are a few things for you to remember.

Check the pool pump filter regularly.
Clean the pool pump filter.
Clean the pool pump basket.
Clean the skimmer basket and impeller blades (if applicable).
Clean any debris blocking your return jet or main drain, as well as any other areas where water may regularly collect (such as overhangs and corners).

Ways to Improve the Circulation of Pool water

There are a lot of ways through which you can improve the circulation of your fibreglass pool. Here are a few that you must try:

Install a variable-speed pump. Variable-speed pumps are more efficient than single-speed pumps. They can save you money, be quieter, and allow you to adjust the flow of water in your pool.
Use a pool cover. They not only protect your pool from debris but also help with circulation.
Install a water heater, which will help keep the water at its ideal temperature and circulate it through your pump more efficiently.
Use a sand filter, which removes debris from the pool’s bottom so that you can see what’s going on in there. This way, you don’t have to spend hours scrubbing. It is important to note that these are not meant for daily use. In fact, they’re best when used once or twice per week only.
Have an automatic chlorinator installed by your local dealer if you want convenience. This will ensure that you don’t have to add chlorine every few days manually.

How to Make Sure You Have Proper Jet Settings

Conclusion

Why You Should Actively Check For Winter Leaks In Your Pool Regularly

A lot of people dread the possibility of pool leaks forming in their fibreglass pools. Often, pool leaks can be repaired simply, and are inexpensive to deal with. But if you leave your pool leak problem alone, then you may end up needing to get an expensive repair job later on. If you do think that your fibreglass pool is leaking, then this isn't a problem that you can fix by yourself. Usually, you'll need to hire a professional to fix the leak for you. But before you can call a professional, you'll need to determine that the pool is leaking first. How do you do this?

It's not uncommon for pools to lose water because of evaporation. Water can also splash out when people are using the pool, and backwash wastewater also takes away from the water level of your pool. You could also find that your pool has gained water after a spell of rain. Ideally, no more than two inches of water should be added to your pool, every week. If you find yourself needing to add more water to your fibreglass pool, then this could be due to a leak. Pools are designed to keep water in. But with time, certain parts can deteriorate, and water can start leaking out through plumbing equipment, fittings, and even through the shell.

When is the pool leaking?

During winter, you’re likely to not end up using your fibreglass pool, unless you have a pool heater. This eliminates certain forms of water loss, such as people splashing the water out of the pool. If you find during winter, that there’s less water in your pool than you expected, then this could be due to a leak.

Sealants used in pools will deteriorate with time. This is irrespective of the season, so dealing with winter leaks isn’t all that uncommon. Do you think your pool has a leak? Then the first thing you should do is determine whether the pool is leaking while the equipment is switched on or off.

When the equipment is on

You’ll still need to run your pool pump during the winter, to prevent your pool from turning into a body of stagnant water. If you spot a leak while the pool pump is running, it could be a return leak on the pressure side. If this is the case, then the plumbing that’s on the pressure side is experiencing pressure.

As a result, what were small drips before could be gushing water now. You’ll need to check both the waste as well as the backwash line to ensure that the water is indeed running. If you lose about an inch of water, then this can mean you lose around 3-4 litres from your pool. Look for the area going downhill from the pool. Keep an eye out for weepers, especially where the leakage is surfacing from under the ground.

See if there are any wet or soft spots in the backyard, or where the plumbing goes back to the pool.

When the equipment is off

If you find a leak in your pool while the pool equipment is off, then the leak could be on the suction side. This involves the pipes which bring the water to the pump. It’s possible that when the filter is on, the plumbing that’s located on your pool’s suction side could be in vacuum. Air can enter through these voids, which may already have been leaking. You can also find air in the pump basket, or air in the filter tank itself.

What if the pool keeps leaking consistently?

If this is the issue, then the shell of your fibreglass pool could be the problem. But note that it doesn’t eliminate the possibility of something being wrong with the plumbing. If this is the case, then look for where in the pool the water is leaking out from.

If there are underwater lights in your fibreglass pool, then note that these can sometimes leak.

These are the parts of your fibreglass pool that you should pay careful attention to while checking for winter leaks:

The skimmer assembly
The metal fittings as well as the ladders
The room floor of the pump
The decking that’s surrounding the pool

During the winter, these are the parts that are the easiest to check. Even if your pool is covered, fittings like the skimmer basket may still have come loose. If you see water on the deck when your pool is tightly covered, then this could indicate that there’s a crack on the surface of the wall. Even if there is just a pinhole leak, it should still be fixed.

If you leave small cracks unfixed, then these can turn into bigger problems going forward. You should also check:

What areas you should check if your pool loses water during winter

The hot tub

If you have a hot tub or spa, then you should be able to use it during the winter as well. Often, the hot tub is connected to the actual pool. If this is the case, then the fittings as well as the skimmer in the hot tub will also need to be checked for leaks.

Anytime the pool or the spa is not being used, it should be kept covered. You’ll also need to maintain the water balance of your pool.

The pump system

Your pump system should be used for at least eight hours a day, even during the winter. If you see water on the floor of the pool room, then this could indicate that pool could lose water when the motor is working.

Conclusion

Ignoring your fibreglass pool during the winter season is a bad idea. This is because leaks can form in your pool at any time. This guide helps you learn more about what kinds of leaks can form in your pool, irrespective of the season. From leaks in the plumbing to leaks in the shell of the pool itself, they’ll need to be fixed before they can get worse. Use this guide to learn all about why you should look for leaks during winter, and get them fixed.

Why You Should Actively Check For Winter Leaks In Your Pool Regularly

A lot of people dread the possibility of pool leaks forming in their fibreglass pools. Often, pool leaks can be repaired simply, and are inexpensive to deal with. But if you leave your pool leak problem alone, then you may end up needing to get an expensive repair job later on. If you do think that your fibreglass pool is leaking, then this isn't a problem that you can fix by yourself. Usually, you'll need to hire a professional to fix the leak for you. But before you can call a professional, you'll need to determine that the pool is leaking first. How do you do this?

It's not uncommon for pools to lose water because of evaporation. Water can also splash out when people are using the pool, and backwash wastewater also takes away from the water level of your pool. You could also find that your pool has gained water after a spell of rain. Ideally, no more than two inches of water should be added to your pool, every week. If you find yourself needing to add more water to your fibreglass pool, then this could be due to a leak. Pools are designed to keep water in. But with time, certain parts can deteriorate, and water can start leaking out through plumbing equipment, fittings, and even through the shell.

When is the pool leaking?

When the equipment is on

See if there are any wet or soft spots in the backyard, or where the plumbing goes back to the pool.

When the equipment is off

What if the pool keeps leaking consistently?

If there are underwater lights in your fibreglass pool, then note that these can sometimes leak.

These are the parts of your fibreglass pool that you should pay careful attention to while checking for winter leaks:

The skimmer assembly
The metal fittings as well as the ladders
The room floor of the pump
The decking that’s surrounding the pool

If you leave small cracks unfixed, then these can turn into bigger problems going forward. You should also check:

What areas you should check if your pool loses water during winter

The hot tub

Anytime the pool or the spa is not being used, it should be kept covered. You’ll also need to maintain the water balance of your pool.

The pump system

Conclusion

What To Do If You Find Dangerous Reptiles In Your Pool: A Guide

Reptiles are fascinating creatures that you might enjoy viewing in a zoo, or in their natural habitat. However, you may not want to find them in your fibreglass pool. Snakes are some of the most common kinds of reptiles that you're likely to find in your pool. The good news is that there are snake repellents available, to keep these reptiles at bay. There are also some plants that you can add to your landscape, to deter reptiles from entering your backyard. But what do you do if you find a dangerous reptile in your pool one day?

Why would a reptile enter your pool?

Some pool owners need to deal with snakes frequently entering their pools. If this is a problem that you face, then you might want to know why snakes enjoy the water in pools in the first place. Here are three reasons why reptiles, specifically snakes, might enter your pool:

Snakes enjoy shedding their skin in water

When a snake soaks in water, this helps to loosen its skin. During their shedding period, they might enter your pool to make their shedding process easier.

Some snakes might think that your fibreglass pool is much shallower than it is, causing them to get stuck there.

Reptiles like environments that are moist

A lot of reptiles love being in the water. A reptile that gets lost, might end up in your pool. This can happen more commonly after heavy rain when reptiles usually wander far from their home.

The reptile might have found your pool while searching for water in an unfamiliar environment. Snakes, in particular, travel far from their home when it rains heavily.

They accidentally wandered in

Reptiles can also wander into your swimming pool completely by accident. They could have been running from predators, or even chasing after food when they found your fibreglass pool.

Sometimes, snakes can get stuck in your pool since they don’t know how to get out of it. Snakes aren’t known for being strong swimmers, and they like to avoid bodies of water that are deep.

What should you do if a reptile enters your pool?

Anytime you find a reptile in your pool, immediately call your local wildlife authorities to get the reptile safely transported away. Do not allow anyone to go near your pool, and do not try to check whether the reptile is indeed dangerous or not.

You’re more likely to find snakes in your pool than other types of reptiles. If you do find a snake in your pool, don’t worry, it’s not uncommon to find snakes in pools. Many varieties of snakes aren’t that poisonous either. However, this doesn’t mean that you should try to get rid of the snake yourself.

Some people recommend using pool skimmers to get reptiles out of pools. If you’re sure that the reptile isn’t dangerous, then you can try this. But often, people aren’t sure whether the reptile in their pool is indeed dangerous or not. Instead of testing your luck, get in touch with your local wildlife authority.

Safety precautions to take if you find a reptile in your pool

During the rainy season, finding reptiles -especially snakes, in pools isn’t uncommon. Local wildlife authorities should already be aware of the issue, and can send help should you get in touch with them. But until help arrives, what should you do?

Ensure that your children and pets are safe inside the home
Ask all adults to not go anywhere near the pool, until the reptile is removed
There might be other reptiles in your backyard, so ask people to stay inside your home
Keep your doors and windows locked if there are reptiles in your backyard
Do not startle the reptile by using automated pool features, like starting your automatic pool cleaner

Once the authorities have safely transported the reptile away, you should first test the water chemistry of the pool, before you use it. If there was a snake inside your pool, then it might have shed its skin in the pool water. If this is the case, then you should remove the shedded skin, drain and replace the water in your pool, before you start using it again.

How to keep reptiles away from your pool?

There are a few things that you can do to keep reptiles from entering your pool. These include:

Keep your backyard tidy

Snakes like to burrow and hide under things. This keeps them safe from the natural elements and helps them to cool down as well. They also like hiding under plants, as well as yard debris. They lie in wait for their prey which include lizards, insects, rats and more. This is because their prey is also attracted to such environments.

When your yard and poolside area is tidy, snakes won’t find comfortable places to hide and are less likely to wander in your pool as well. Don’t leave things like piles of leaves or sticks, out in your yard.

Get rid of vermin

If there are vermin in your yard, like rats and mice, then this might attract reptiles that see them as prey. If you often find reptiles attracted to your yard, then this could be because they can easily find prey there. If you can keep your yard free of vermin, then you’re less likely to encounter reptiles there.

Add plants that repel reptiles to your yard

These plants are known for deterring reptiles, specifically snakes, from entering your yard:

Onions
Cinnamon
Garlic
Marigold
Lemongrass

Cinnamon is especially effective at keeping reptiles like snakes, out of your yard. Add these plants to your backyard to naturally deter reptiles from entering.

Conclusion

Finding a dangerous reptile in your pool can be scary, but there’s nothing to worry about. Exercise caution and ensure that no one goes into your backyard until the reptile has been removed. Don’t wait for the reptile to leave by itself, as it could be stuck in your pool. Instead, get in touch with the wildlife authorities and have the reptile removed.

What To Do If You Find Dangerous Reptiles In Your Pool: A Guide

Reptiles are fascinating creatures that you might enjoy viewing in a zoo, or in their natural habitat. However, you may not want to find them in your fibreglass pool. Snakes are some of the most common kinds of reptiles that you're likely to find in your pool. The good news is that there are snake repellents available, to keep these reptiles at bay. There are also some plants that you can add to your landscape, to deter reptiles from entering your backyard. But what do you do if you find a dangerous reptile in your pool one day?

Why would a reptile enter your pool?

Snakes enjoy shedding their skin in water

When a snake soaks in water, this helps to loosen its skin. During their shedding period, they might enter your pool to make their shedding process easier.

Some snakes might think that your fibreglass pool is much shallower than it is, causing them to get stuck there.

Reptiles like environments that are moist

A lot of reptiles love being in the water. A reptile that gets lost, might end up in your pool. This can happen more commonly after heavy rain when reptiles usually wander far from their home.

The reptile might have found your pool while searching for water in an unfamiliar environment. Snakes, in particular, travel far from their home when it rains heavily.

They accidentally wandered in

Reptiles can also wander into your swimming pool completely by accident. They could have been running from predators, or even chasing after food when they found your fibreglass pool.

Sometimes, snakes can get stuck in your pool since they don’t know how to get out of it. Snakes aren’t known for being strong swimmers, and they like to avoid bodies of water that are deep.

What should you do if a reptile enters your pool?

Safety precautions to take if you find a reptile in your pool

Ensure that your children and pets are safe inside the home
Ask all adults to not go anywhere near the pool, until the reptile is removed
There might be other reptiles in your backyard, so ask people to stay inside your home
Keep your doors and windows locked if there are reptiles in your backyard
Do not startle the reptile by using automated pool features, like starting your automatic pool cleaner

How to keep reptiles away from your pool?

There are a few things that you can do to keep reptiles from entering your pool. These include:

Keep your backyard tidy

Get rid of vermin

Add plants that repel reptiles to your yard

These plants are known for deterring reptiles, specifically snakes, from entering your yard:

Onions
Cinnamon
Garlic
Marigold
Lemongrass

Cinnamon is especially effective at keeping reptiles like snakes, out of your yard. Add these plants to your backyard to naturally deter reptiles from entering.

Conclusion

What The Term 'Alternative Pool Sanitisers' Entails - A Brief Study

If you own a fibreglass pool, then you should know that you'll need to keep it sanitised, in order to safely use the pool. Usually, chlorine is used to sanitise the pool, but alternatives to chlorine can be used as well. This helps keep the water in the pool free from harmful pathogens, prevents algae from forming, and also controls organic debris that is released when people go swimming in the pool. Examples of organic debris include sweat, body oils, and more.

There are certain disadvantages to using chlorine to sanitise your pool. It has a strong smell, it can cause some people irritation in their eyes and skin, and some people also develop allergic reactions to it. But are there any alternatives to chlorine? The answer is yes – there are. Here are some alternatives to chlorine that you can consider that can keep your pool water sanitised just as effectively.

Saltwater

Perhaps the most well-known alternative to chlorine pools is saltwater pools. In a saltwater pool, the salt is turned into chlorine, with the help of a salt chlorinator. This way, while the pool can still be sanitised, you won’t have to worry about experiencing any kind of irritation in your skin and eyes.

In a saltwater pool, salt is passed through a salt cell. This salt then breaks down into chlorine upon getting electrically charged. This helps check the level of chloramines. The level of free chlorine will also be high. This free chlorine is what keeps the water in your fibreglass pool clean.

Salt is also a lot cheaper than many of the pool chemicals that are used to sanitise pools. What you do need to keep in mind, however, is that you’ll need to clean your salt chlorinator and salt cells on a regular basis. You may also find yourself needing to replace them after five years.

Bromine

Another alternative that you can consider, is bromine. This is a compound that is halogenic and has properties that are similar to that of chlorine. Bromine can be more expensive than chlorine, however. At the same time, it’s also more stable than chlorine. You also won’t need to test your pool water often, should you use bromine to sanitise it.

You will get a strong smell when you use bromine. But it won’t irritate your skin or your eyes. Note that you’ll need to add various additives and pool chemicals to your pool water, in addition to bromine. This is as the effectiveness of bromine is reduced when it’s exposed to UV rays from the Sun. As a result, more pool chemicals need to be added to compensate for this reduced effectiveness.

If you have an indoor pool or spa, where the sun’s rays can’t reach your pool, then using bromine might be a better option for you.

Ozone

If you get an ozone generator, then you’re likely to find it attached to your pool’s filtration system. This filtration system will be introducing ozone into your pool water. Ozone is one of the active forms of oxygen. It will react with any organic contaminants present in your pool water and end up breaking them down.

This process of ozonation can help you reduce how much chlorine you’re using in your pool. You can choose between two types of Ozonator for your fibreglass pool. The first option is a corona discharge. The second option is UV light. If you opt for the corona discharge option, then it will use an electric arc to create ozone. This helps in killing bacteria and other pathogens that could be present in the water of your pool.

The UV light Ozonator, on the other hand, utilises vapour lamps that have low pressure, which will be installed within the pool’s return line. Here, ozone is created, which ends up killing pathogens present in the water.

Note that ozone needs to be used alongside other sanitisers, which could be chlorine as well. Ozone is also rather expensive.

Mineral system

Mineral systems have become more popular recently. This is because they are easy to maintain, but they also reduce how much chlorine you’ll need to sanitise your pool by up to 50%. A mineral system will be attached to the pool system’s pipes. It contains minerals and alloys which can kill algae and other microorganisms that flow through the pool pipes.

There are also models when you can get minerals together with salt. This gives you pool water that isn’t just cleaner, but softer as well. You will still need to use chlorine in this system. The cartridges that you need to buy can be expensive as well, especially if you have a larger pool. These cartridges will also need to be replaced from time to time. This makes this option one of the more expensive alternatives to sanitising your pool.

Non-chlorine shock

If you want to oxidise the organic compounds present in your pool water, then this option can be perfect for you. You will need to use chlorine alongside non-chlorine shock to fully sanitise your pool. Once the contaminants within the pool are oxidised, this can keep the chloramine levels of the pool low. As a result, the chlorine that you add to the fibreglass pool will be more effective as well. Along with shocking your pool, maintaining the pool itself can be equally as important to ensure that your swimmers stay safe in the pool.

If you have an outdoor pool, then the rays from the sun will naturally oxidise organic contaminants in your pool water. Non-chlorine shock then, becomes a better option for indoor pools, especially if the indoor pool is used often. You’ll also need to be careful to ensure that people don’t use your pool immediately after you shock it. Non-chlorine shock is often used in hot tubs as well as spas, in order to oxidise any organic matter that might be present in it.

Conclusion

If you don’t want to use chlorine to sanitise your pool, then there are several alternatives that you can consider. Some of these alternatives, like ozone, are more expensive than chlorine. You also have cheaper options, like a salt chlorinator which uses just salt to keep the water in your pool clean. This guide lists five alternatives to chlorine that you can consider.

What The Term 'Alternative Pool Sanitisers' Entails - A Brief Study

If you own a fibreglass pool, then you should know that you'll need to keep it sanitised, in order to safely use the pool. Usually, chlorine is used to sanitise the pool, but alternatives to chlorine can be used as well. This helps keep the water in the pool free from harmful pathogens, prevents algae from forming, and also controls organic debris that is released when people go swimming in the pool. Examples of organic debris include sweat, body oils, and more.

Saltwater

Bromine

If you have an indoor pool or spa, where the sun’s rays can’t reach your pool, then using bromine might be a better option for you.

Ozone

Note that ozone needs to be used alongside other sanitisers, which could be chlorine as well. Ozone is also rather expensive.

Mineral system

Non-chlorine shock

Conclusion

The Must-Needed Chemicals To Keep Your Pool Clean And Healthy

A swimming pool in the backyard of your home is a good investment to increase the charm and value of your home and to get the praise of your neighbours. But to keep it as a point of pride in your home, it is necessary to keep it clean, sparkling, and healthy. A dirty pool not only makes guests wrinkle their noses but can also cause serious health problems for your family.

Cleaning the swimming pool does not mean just clearing out the debris and other solid waste in it. Maintaining the pool's water chemistry and adding the required chemicals at regular intervals is one of the most crucial parts of keeping the pool clean. There are some basic chemicals that are indispensable for any swimming pool.

Chemicals for your swimming pool

The important chemicals needed to keep your pool clean and healthy can be broadly classified into four types. These include:

Water balancers
Sanitisers
Oxidisers
Specialty chemicals

Water balancers

They can be used to change the amount of chemicals in the pool water. These balancers help keep your pool’s water chemistry balanced and optimal. You should also test your pool water weekly to decide how often you should add the balancers to your swimming pool. The different balancers include:

Chlorine neutraliser

This is used to decrease the concentration of chlorine in the swimming pool when it becomes higher than the recommended amount. The most common compound used is Thiosulfate. In 10,000 gallons of pool water, one pound of thiosulfate will reduce the free chlorine concentration by around 10 ppm.

pH reducer or increaser

You should always balance the pH of the water in your swimming pool. When the pH becomes low, it can lead to corrosion of the pool equipment and the pool surface. Using pH Up can help raise the pH when it is lower than 7.2. If the pH rises above 7.6 ppm, it can cause issues like cloudy water, scaling, and deposits. You can utilise pH Down to reduce it.

Calcium hardness

This indicates the calcium concentration in the swimming pool. If calcium levels are low, it can cause corrosion and damage to metal parts coming into contact with the water. This can be avoided by using a calcium hardness increaser. High levels of calcium are also undesirable as they can lead to cloudy water. You can try using muriatic acid or pool flocculant to bring the calcium levels to the optimal value.

Alkalinity balancers

You should keep your swimming pool’s total alkalinity between 120 and 150 ppm to make sure that the pH stays steady. Low alkalinity can promote staining and corrosion. High alkalinity can also contribute to scaling and cloudy water. It is advisable to use an alkalinity increaser to boost the overall alkalinity.

Sanitisers

These are compounds that keep your pool water clean and disinfect it. Your swimming pool water must always have a minimum quantity of sanitiser. If this requirement is not properly taken care of, your pool can become susceptible to numerous issues.

Chlorine

The true powerhouse of pool upkeep is chlorine, which is responsible for eliminating bacteria and sanitising the pool water. The optimal level of free chlorine in the swimming pool is between 1 and 3 ppm. If you are worried about degradation due to exposure to sunlight, you can use products with stabilised chlorine. The majority of stabilised chlorine products come in a range of shapes and sizes, including sticks, tablets, and granules. Trichlor, which is available as both sticks and tablets, is a common product available on the market.

Bromine

Bromine also has antibacterial properties comparable to those of chlorine, and it works especially well in warm water. It also has excellent stability when used in warm water, so you need not worry about degradation. If you have a spa, hot tub, or like to keep your pool water warm, then bromine is a good sanitiser for you. You can also install an automatic brominator to use bromine efficiently.

Oxidisers

Oxidisers, also called pool shocks, are one of the most effective pool water cleansers. They are employed for intensive and focused sanitising procedures. They are frequently used prior to and after periods of intense pool use and following periods of extreme weather for pool maintenance. They are also used after any situation in which the pool water has been exposed to pollutants. It is advisable to use an oxidiser every two weeks if you regularly use the pool to keep it clean.

You can also use chlorine-free oxidisers for your pools and spas. They are a group of potassium salts that are highly effective as oxidisers. They do not leave any residue and dissolve in the pool water easily. This means there is no wait time before you can use the pool again. It is also important to remember that you should use a chlorine-free oxidiser if your sanitiser is bromine. This is because chlorine and bromine do not go well together.

Specialty Chemicals

These are chemicals that are not used frequently but are still required to avoid pool safety issues.

Algaecide

The secret to a good pool is to keep algae from growing in it. Algaecides serve as a support to your regular sanitisation routine by stopping the onset and growth of algae in your pool. It is also important to add algaecide after each shock treatment.

Pool enzymes

These chemicals are needed to break down non-living natural contaminants in the pool water, like oils.

Filter cleaners

These chemicals can be used to clean all three kinds of filters, including sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth filters. They clean the debris clogging your filters, like oils, metals, and minerals.

Wrapping Up

Installing a swimming pool in the backyard is one of the best ways to make your home charming and beautiful. But to maintain the beauty of the pool and avoid health issues, it is crucial to follow the right steps to maintain it. Along with cleaning the pool, it is also important to maintain the pool water chemistry to keep the pool sparkling and healthy.

The Must-Needed Chemicals To Keep Your Pool Clean And Healthy

A swimming pool in the backyard of your home is a good investment to increase the charm and value of your home and to get the praise of your neighbours. But to keep it as a point of pride in your home, it is necessary to keep it clean, sparkling, and healthy. A dirty pool not only makes guests wrinkle their noses but can also cause serious health problems for your family.

Cleaning the swimming pool does not mean just clearing out the debris and other solid waste in it. Maintaining the pool's water chemistry and adding the required chemicals at regular intervals is one of the most crucial parts of keeping the pool clean. There are some basic chemicals that are indispensable for any swimming pool.

Chemicals for your swimming pool

The important chemicals needed to keep your pool clean and healthy can be broadly classified into four types. These include:

Water balancers
Sanitisers
Oxidisers
Specialty chemicals

Water balancers

Chlorine neutraliser

pH reducer or increaser

Calcium hardness

Alkalinity balancers

Sanitisers

Chlorine

Bromine

Oxidisers

Specialty Chemicals

These are chemicals that are not used frequently but are still required to avoid pool safety issues.

Algaecide

Pool enzymes

These chemicals are needed to break down non-living natural contaminants in the pool water, like oils.

Filter cleaners

Wrapping Up

4 Ways To Keep Birds Away From Your Pool

The pool season is right around the corner, and you could be looking forward to using your fibreglass pool through the season. Say you're heading out for a swim at around 10 AM on a nice Sunday morning. You walk out into your backyard and find that you aren't the first person to use your pool today.

A swallow could be sitting perched on the ladders leading into your pool, trying to wash its feathers. Maybe a few ducks have entered your fibreglass pool and are swimming around in it.

Having birds in your pool can be a problem. This is because they often leave behind feathers and droppings. If birds regularly visit your pool, then there’s a lot of cleaning up that you’ll need to keep doing. At the same time, your pool can also be a dangerous place for birds. This especially applies to birds who are still young and have just started learning how to fly.

But is there anything you can do to prevent birds from entering your pool? Actually, there is.

Keep the pool covered

A sturdy pool cover can be your best friend in preventing birds from entering your pool. You can even use pool netting to keep your pool covered when you’re not using it. Solar pool covers are another good option. They prevent not just birds, but even people and pets from falling into your pool.

Some birds might still want to drift on the top of your pool. If your pool is covered, then such birds will find the surface of the pool unsteady. The birds that want to go swimming in your pool also won’t be able to do that. When they find that they can’t reach the water under your pool cover, they’ll give up.

Make use of pool toys

Pool toys can be extremely useful for keeping birds out of your fibreglass pool. A floaty can be fun to lounge on, but they also deter birds from entering your pool. You can also make use of other pool equipment to prevent birds from entering your pool.

A floaty that’s shaped like a predator can make the birds fearful of coming near your pool. Consider getting floaties that are shaped like alligators, dolphins, and even sharks. The birds won’t be able to tell that these floaties are fake and not real predators. This will make them wary of coming anywhere near your fibreglass pool.

If you use pool equipment like an automatic pool cleaner, then this could also help in keeping the birds away. When your pool cleaner is doing its job, birds will see it as a threat. They see something moving around in the water, and it makes them hesitant to enter your pool.

Birds don’t need to be able to exactly see what’s moving around under the water, but simply seeing movement can scare them off. You can make use of toys that are inflatable to keep birds as well as other critters from falling into your pool. Should a bird or a critter accidentally fall into your pool, then the inflatable toy can give them something to hold on to, as they try to escape.

Use deterrents that are outside the water

You can make use of scarecrows as well as reflective elements, to keep birds out of your fibreglass pool. Let’s see how each of these works:

Scarecrows

Your scarecrow doesn’t have to be a strawman mounted on top of a pole. When it comes to deterring birds, you can even make use of a predator that’s fake, to ward them off. Get a fake owl, falcon or hawk. When the birds see potential predators in your yard, they’ll think twice before coming anywhere near your yard.

Remember to move the scarecrow around from time to time. This is in order to prevent the birds from getting used to the fake predators staying in the same place. Note that the birds won’t know whether your fake predators are real or not. But seeing them in the same place every day without reacting to the birds may make them think they can approach your pool.

Reflective elements

Based on what kind of layout your backyard has, you may be able to attach some fishing line leading from the roof of your home, to the fence. Do this in a pattern that is criss-cross, or you could also buy netting that’s already been strung.

This can prevent birds from flying too close to your pool. It’s especially important to note that the netting you hang has to be so high that it doesn’t get in the way of humans using your pool. You can even add reflective banners or even add tape to the fence posts that are around your pool.

Pets like dogs and cats can also help to keep birds away. Simply let them play in your yard from time to time, and the birds will know to leave your yard alone.

Give them an alternative

Although many homeowners see birds around their fibreglass pool as a menace, there are also several benefits to having them in your yard. They help with:

Mosquitoes love bodies of water, making them attracted to pools in people’s homes. Birds are great at keeping mosquitoes away from your yard. They can also help in controlling other pests like spiders and aphids.
Some birds, like hummingbirds, are very good at pollinating. So, if you have a garden in your backyard, then birds that love nectar can help you grow your garden.
Not all birds eat insects. Some, like finches and sparrows, actually eat weeds. So, if you have plants in your yard that are unwanted, then birds can help you get rid of those weeds.

You can install a bird bath if you want to give the birds a special place where they can prune themselves. When the birds are sharing your backyard in a way where they don’t disturb you, you can enjoy watching them as well as listening to them sing. You can enjoy several other benefits associated with allowing birds in your yard as well.

Conclusion

Birds can be a menace for fibreglass pool owners, but there are several things you can do to keep them away from your yard. You can build structures, especially for birds, like birdhouses and bird baths, so that the birds leave your pool alone. From keeping your pool cover on when you’re not using your pool, to installing netting above your pool, there’s a lot you can do. This guide can help you learn about the steps you can take to keep birds away from your pool.

4 Ways To Keep Birds Away From Your Pool

The pool season is right around the corner, and you could be looking forward to using your fibreglass pool through the season. Say you're heading out for a swim at around 10 AM on a nice Sunday morning. You walk out into your backyard and find that you aren't the first person to use your pool today.

A swallow could be sitting perched on the ladders leading into your pool, trying to wash its feathers. Maybe a few ducks have entered your fibreglass pool and are swimming around in it.

But is there anything you can do to prevent birds from entering your pool? Actually, there is.

Keep the pool covered

Make use of pool toys

Use deterrents that are outside the water

You can make use of scarecrows as well as reflective elements, to keep birds out of your fibreglass pool. Let’s see how each of these works:

Scarecrows

Reflective elements

Pets like dogs and cats can also help to keep birds away. Simply let them play in your yard from time to time, and the birds will know to leave your yard alone.

Give them an alternative

Although many homeowners see birds around their fibreglass pool as a menace, there are also several benefits to having them in your yard. They help with:

Mosquitoes love bodies of water, making them attracted to pools in people’s homes. Birds are great at keeping mosquitoes away from your yard. They can also help in controlling other pests like spiders and aphids.
Some birds, like hummingbirds, are very good at pollinating. So, if you have a garden in your backyard, then birds that love nectar can help you grow your garden.
Not all birds eat insects. Some, like finches and sparrows, actually eat weeds. So, if you have plants in your yard that are unwanted, then birds can help you get rid of those weeds.

Conclusion

Why You Should Always Keep An Eye On The Pool Filter Pressure Gauge

The pressure gauge of the pool filter of your fibreglass pool is a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment. However, despite its price, it plays the role of a pool technician as well. In order to communicate with this pool technician, however, you'll have to rely on numbers. The pressure gauge is also not good at helping you with manual labour, but it can let you know important information about your pool.

Should anything be wrong with your fibreglass pool, the first indication that you'll get is through the pool filter gauge. But what exactly is a pool filter pressure gauge?

Pool Pressure Gauge: What Is It?

The pressure gauge lets you know what the PSI of the pool filter is. The pool filter requires pressure within the tank, in order to function. Any time the filter pressure appears normal, this means that water is moving through in a seamless manner. It also means that your other pool equipment is also operating efficiently.

If this pressure ends up rising too much or falling too low, then this can affect how the water flows through the system. When this happens, the circulation system of your fibreglass pool won’t be working well. If repairs and replacements are needed, then they can be expensive.

Essentially, the pool pressure gauge is the small dial that you can find on top of the pool filter. It looks very similar to what thermometers used to look like before. It also looks similar to cooking thermometers, like the kind used to test the internal temperature of turkeys and steaks. When you check this small dial, you’ll be able to monitor the pressure in the filter.

What Kind Of Operating Pressure Is Normal?

There are a few factors that go into determining what operating pressure is ideal for your pool. These include the size of your pool pump, the horsepower of that pump, as well as the size of your pool filter. It also depends on how clean your pool filter currently is.

Although the operating pressure that’s normal for your fibreglass pool is unique, you can still find out what it is. What you’ll need to do is check what the operating pressure is when the filter media is first installed.

When you turn the pool pump on, the number you see on the gauge is what the baseline pressure is. You’ll also need to write the PSI number down after you clean the pool filter for the first time. For DE and sand filters, this is when you first backwash your pool filter. Note these two numbers down carefully, as they’ll let you know what your ideal operating range is.

What Happens When The PSI Is Too High?

Say you notice that the PSI is above what should be your normal pressure for operating. It’s often good to have the pressure be slightly high. This is because it indicates that any foreign contaminants caught by your pool filter are helping to trap more contaminants. But how do you know that the PSI is too high?

When you see that the pressure gauge is 10 PSI above the ideal range, it’s time for you to intervene. At this time, you should clean the pool filter, a vital part of a pool operating system. If you have a cartridge filter, then you’ll need to hose it down. Sand and DE filters will need to be backwashed. When backwashing your pool filter, ensure that it’s being backwashed to the right area. You don’t want to end up getting fined by the local government for environmental contamination.

If you’ve cleaned your pool filter, but this didn’t lower your PSI, it’s time for a replacement. If you didn’t know what the normal range for operating was before, you can use this opportunity to find out.

What If The PSI Is Still High?

There’s a relief valve for air in the pool pressure gauge, which is responsible for keeping the level of the pressure in check. Should the PSI be high even after replacing the filter media, the issue could be a relief valve for air. If air has gotten into your filter, then this is a problem. You’ll need to check the water level of your pool.

If the water level isn’t halfway submerging the skimmer, then this could be where the air is entering from. To fix this issue, open your air relief valve while running the pool filter. You should allow the filter to run until you notice water leaking from the valve. Consider priming your pump as well, as there could be air in other parts of your pool system as well.

What Happens When The PSI Is Too Low?

If the PSI number on the pool pressure gauge is too low, then this means that the water is not flowing how it should. If you see that the PSI figure is 5 PSI under what it should be, then you’ll need to do some unclogging. This is because it’s likely that there is some kind of blockage.

This blockage could be located near the filter. You’ll need to inspect the pool skimmers as well as the drain covers. Your pump basket as well as pump impeller will also need to be checked. You might find dirt, leaves, twigs, and other foreign contaminants, causing a blockage.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, then you’re most likely dealing with a leak. Should this be the case, then you’ll most likely need to hire a pool professional to get the issue resolved.

Conclusion

Sometimes, it could be the pressure gauge itself that’s the problem. Turn your pool pump off, and then check the reading on the pressure gauge. It should show a zero. If this isn’t the case, then the gauge could be the issue. A pool professional should be able to help you deal with the issue.

Keeping an eye on the pool pressure gauge is important, as you can monitor how well your pool system is performing. Use this guide to learn what a pool pressure gauge is, as well as why you should monitor it.

Why You Should Always Keep An Eye On The Pool Filter Pressure Gauge

The pressure gauge of the pool filter of your fibreglass pool is a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment. However, despite its price, it plays the role of a pool technician as well. In order to communicate with this pool technician, however, you'll have to rely on numbers. The pressure gauge is also not good at helping you with manual labour, but it can let you know important information about your pool.

Should anything be wrong with your fibreglass pool, the first indication that you'll get is through the pool filter gauge. But what exactly is a pool filter pressure gauge?

Pool Pressure Gauge: What Is It?

What Kind Of Operating Pressure Is Normal?

What Happens When The PSI Is Too High?

What If The PSI Is Still High?

What Happens When The PSI Is Too Low?

If this doesn’t solve the problem, then you’re most likely dealing with a leak. Should this be the case, then you’ll most likely need to hire a pool professional to get the issue resolved.

Conclusion

Understanding How A Solar Pool Heater Works

One way you can keep the water in your fibreglass pool heated is with a solar pool heater. In solar pool heaters, the water from the pool is passed through several tubes. These tubes are also known as solar absorbers and collectors. They are usually mounted either on the ground or on the roof of the building.

The heat from the Sun is used to circulate the water in your pool. Once it’s heated, it’s then returned to the pool. A solar pool heater is completely automated and can work seamlessly with the pool equipment that you have. You can use the control panel on your solar water heater, to set what temperature you want your pool to be heated to.

In your solar pool heater, there’s a motorised valve that’s automated, that is responsible for directing water towards solar panels. Then, it directs heat from the solar panels back towards the pool. This process will continue until either you’ve turned your pool filter off, or your pool has reached the desired temperature.

How Solar Pool Heaters Work

Solar pool heaters collect heat from the Sun and make use of that heat to raise the temperature of the water in your swimming pool. It pumps the water from the pool through the pool filter, and then back to the pool. On its journey back to the pool, the water has to pass through several solar collectors. These solar collectors heat the water as it’s passing through.

A solar pool collector can be made of different kinds of materials. What material your solar pool heater should be made of will depend on what kind of climate you have in your area. It will also depend on how you want to use your solar collectors. You could be someone who wants to use the pool when the temperature has gone above freezing temperatures. If this is the case then you’ll need to get a collector system that is glassless.

Unglazed And Glazed Solar Collectors

You can also find unglazed solar collectors. These are made using rubber that is heavy-duty, or sometimes plastic. Where plastic is used, this is first treated with UV light blocking. This helps to increase the longevity of solar panels.

An unglazed solar collector can be less expensive, and that also works great when used to heat indoor pools. Even in the winter months, if your pool is indoors, your solar heater will be able to keep it warm for you. Should you find yourself needing to close down your pool over the winter months, opting for an unglazed solar collector can be more cost-effective for you.

But there are several advantages to opting for glazed systems as well. A glazed collector system is actually more efficient at exchanging heat, and also capturing heat from the Sun, than an unglazed collector system. This means, no matter what the climate in your area is like, your glazed collector system will help keep your pool water warm.

What You Need To Know About The Workings Of Solar Pool Heaters

First, water from the pool is pumped through till it reaches the solar collector. Before reaching the collector, the water needs to go through filters, which remove any foreign debris from the water. When this water reaches the solar collector, it gets warmed by the heat energy from the Sun. Then, the water is returned to your fibreglass pool.

In case you live in an area with warmer weather, you can even use your collector to cool down the water in your pool, during summer. This happens if you allow the water in your pool to circulate at night, through your solar collectors.

Flow control valves are used to divert water towards the solar collector when the temperature of the solar collector is higher than that of the water in the pool. Should the temperature of the solar collector be the same as that of the water in the pool, however, the water will only pass through the solar collector. It won’t get heated and will return to your pool at the same temperature as when it left.

How Can You Select A Solar Water Heater?

It can be expensive to buy a solar water heater. But once you get a good quality solar water heater installed, it can last for many years. Good solar water heaters can efficiently heat the water in your pool for seven years at least.

But before you buy a solar water heater, there are several things that you need to evaluate. These include:

Determine how much access to solar energy your home has. How effective your solar pool heater will be will depend on how much sunlight it can catch.
What size you want your solar pool heater to be, is the next point to consider. If your pool is larger, and if your swimming seasons are longer, then you may need a bigger solar pool heater. The temperature of the place where you live, as well as your desired pool water temperature, should also be considered.
Consider whether your solar collectors will be mounted near your pool, on the roof of your home, or elsewhere. It should have decent exposure to sunlight.
Before you buy a solar pool heater, first estimate how much using it will cost compared to other pool heating systems.
Look also at the total installation cost as well as maintenance and how many solar panels you’ll be needing, and what thermal performance rating your solar collectors have.
There are building code requirements that need to be met before a solar pool heater can be installed. You’ll also need to maintain your solar pool heater properly, to ensure that it works efficiently for at least five to ten years.

Conclusion

Solar pool heaters can help you effectively heat the water in your swimming pool. However, there are several factors you should consider before you get a solar pool heater for your home. From how solar pool heaters work, to whether you should get one or not, this guide can help you learn everything you need to know about solar pool heaters.

Understanding How A Solar Pool Heater Works

One way you can keep the water in your fibreglass pool heated is with a solar pool heater. In solar pool heaters, the water from the pool is passed through several tubes. These tubes are also known as solar absorbers and collectors. They are usually mounted either on the ground or on the roof of the building.

How Solar Pool Heaters Work

Unglazed And Glazed Solar Collectors

What You Need To Know About The Workings Of Solar Pool Heaters

How Can You Select A Solar Water Heater?

But before you buy a solar water heater, there are several things that you need to evaluate. These include:

Determine how much access to solar energy your home has. How effective your solar pool heater will be will depend on how much sunlight it can catch.
What size you want your solar pool heater to be, is the next point to consider. If your pool is larger, and if your swimming seasons are longer, then you may need a bigger solar pool heater. The temperature of the place where you live, as well as your desired pool water temperature, should also be considered.
Consider whether your solar collectors will be mounted near your pool, on the roof of your home, or elsewhere. It should have decent exposure to sunlight.
Before you buy a solar pool heater, first estimate how much using it will cost compared to other pool heating systems.
Look also at the total installation cost as well as maintenance and how many solar panels you’ll be needing, and what thermal performance rating your solar collectors have.
There are building code requirements that need to be met before a solar pool heater can be installed. You’ll also need to maintain your solar pool heater properly, to ensure that it works efficiently for at least five to ten years.

Conclusion

What Do You Mean by Brushing Your Pool

Pool brushing is the activity of scrubbing the inner walls of your pool and ensuring that it remains safe for you and your loved ones. Brushing is one of the most important parts of cleaning your pool. It keeps the dirt, debris, and algae at bay and your pool’s walls and floors spotless. Regular brushing is important to keep your pool in top-notch condition.

If you do not clean and brush your pool regularly, it can become a breeding ground for several disease-causing microorganisms. Not to forget, excessive algae build-up ruins the pool’s walls, and you will have to shell out hundreds of dollars in repair and maintenance later on.

Tips and tricks for brushing your pool like a pro

Let’s face it: brushing your pool is a time-consuming task. However, with the right tips and tricks, it can become a lot simpler and more effective. While several people brush their swimming pools, not all of them do it in the right way.

Most people make the common mistake of using the wrong or a very old brush or brushing in the wrong direction. If you want the best results, it is important to know the right way to brush your pool.

Here are the tips to help you get started.

1. Go for brushes with stiff bristles

Choosing the right brush is the key to effective pool brushing. You need to ensure that your pool brush has strong bristles that are capable of removing the toughest of stains. For this, a nylon brush is the best option.

The reason for this is that nylon bristles are pretty stiff, and they can deal with all kinds of dirt and debris easily.

While nylon brushes are stiff enough to remove dirt and stains, they do not cause scratches or damage to your pool’s surface. So, you can use them without any worries.

2. Brush your pool at least twice a week

It is recommended to brush your pool three or four times a week if you use it regularly. However, if that is not possible for you, then make sure to at least brush your pool twice a week.

Doing so will prevent the growth of algae and other microorganisms on your pool’s surfaces. In addition, when you brush your pool more frequently, the build-up of dirt and debris will be significantly less. So, it will make your task simpler and quicker.

3. Using an old brush is a strict no-no!

Many people keep on using their old pool brush for several years without thinking about its effectiveness. If you have a brush that is more than four years old, it is basically useless.

Make sure to check that the bristles are not broken or damaged. Most brushes don’t last for more than three to four years. If you have a brush older than that, it’s time to say goodbye to it. Buy a new one for yourself. It is a small investment that will give you amazing results.

4. Deal with all the debris and waste elements before you start brushing

This sort of pool maintenance should go without saying. You need to take care of all the organic debris and waste materials before beginning scrubbing and brushing your pool’s surfaces. Common organic debris included leaves, twigs, flowers, bugs, and more.

Get a long pool net or skimmer and slowly skim it on the surface of the water. It will help you scoop out all the leaves, twigs, and other elements and clean up the water. You can then drain the water and start brushing.

5. Always brush towards the pool’s main drain

Another excellent pool brushing tip is to always brush in the direction of the main drain. When you scrub your pool’s walls, a lot of dirt and debris will loosen up. If you do not brush in the direction of the main drain, all that dirt will keep on shifting inside the pool and will not be completely removed.

6. Use smooth motions

The most effective way to scrub the pool’s walls and the floor is by using smooth, fast, and uniform strokes. Avoid using slow and short strokes as they aren’t that effective. You will just end up being tired quickly. Long and swift motions ensure that you do not miss any part of the pool and the dirt is removed quickly too.

7. Keep the pump on while you brush your pool

Another common mistake many people make while brushing their pool is that they do it while keeping the pump off. If you do so, the dirt and debris collected at the bottom will not be removed.

In order to remove all the dirt from the pool, you need to keep the pump running. It will ensure that all the waste particles are carried to the main drain and eventually gets out of the pool.

Summing up

There you go! That was all about brushing your fibreglass pool and why it is so important. While pool brushing is a tedious and time-consuming task, not doing it can result in severe consequences that, trust us, you do not want to face.

A dirty pool causes serious health hazards and is prone to frequent damage. When you do not brush your pool, algae and biofilm can develop on its floor and walls in the form of scum lines.

If you let the problem stay for longer, biofilm and algae can cover the entirety of your pool, and getting rid of them will be next to impossible. Thus, instead of spending a huge amount of money on dealing with the problem, it is better to avoid the problem in the first place – and regular pool brushing is the best way to do that.

So, make sure to follow all the above-mentioned tips, gather your brushes and pool cleaning supplies, and get down to work. The result will be worth it!

What Do You Mean by Brushing Your Pool

Pool brushing is the activity of scrubbing the inner walls of your pool and ensuring that it remains safe for you and your loved ones. Brushing is one of the most important parts of cleaning your pool. It keeps the dirt, debris, and algae at bay and your pool’s walls and floors spotless. Regular brushing is important to keep your pool in top-notch condition.

If you do not clean and brush your pool regularly, it can become a breeding ground for several disease-causing microorganisms. Not to forget, excessive algae build-up ruins the pool’s walls, and you will have to shell out hundreds of dollars in repair and maintenance later on.

Tips and tricks for brushing your pool like a pro

Most people make the common mistake of using the wrong or a very old brush or brushing in the wrong direction. If you want the best results, it is important to know the right way to brush your pool.

Here are the tips to help you get started.

1. Go for brushes with stiff bristles

The reason for this is that nylon bristles are pretty stiff, and they can deal with all kinds of dirt and debris easily.

While nylon brushes are stiff enough to remove dirt and stains, they do not cause scratches or damage to your pool’s surface. So, you can use them without any worries.

2. Brush your pool at least twice a week

It is recommended to brush your pool three or four times a week if you use it regularly. However, if that is not possible for you, then make sure to at least brush your pool twice a week.

3. Using an old brush is a strict no-no!

Many people keep on using their old pool brush for several years without thinking about its effectiveness. If you have a brush that is more than four years old, it is basically useless.

4. Deal with all the debris and waste elements before you start brushing

5. Always brush towards the pool’s main drain

6. Use smooth motions

7. Keep the pump on while you brush your pool

Another common mistake many people make while brushing their pool is that they do it while keeping the pump off. If you do so, the dirt and debris collected at the bottom will not be removed.

In order to remove all the dirt from the pool, you need to keep the pump running. It will ensure that all the waste particles are carried to the main drain and eventually gets out of the pool.

Summing up

A dirty pool causes serious health hazards and is prone to frequent damage. When you do not brush your pool, algae and biofilm can develop on its floor and walls in the form of scum lines.

So, make sure to follow all the above-mentioned tips, gather your brushes and pool cleaning supplies, and get down to work. The result will be worth it!

Understanding The Different Parts Of A Swimming Pool

Essential parts of a pool are vital to know about, not just for the maintenance of pools, but also for pool safety considerations. If you are a proud pool owner, you must know what the different parts of a pool are, be able to identify them, and know their function. In case of any troubleshooting, knowing and grasping how pool components work can help you when you call in pool maintenance services. You may not know how to repair pool parts yourself, but you should be aware of their functioning to check the working of your pool generally.

There are different kinds of home swimming pools on the market today, but the crucial parts of any pool remain common to most pools. When you decide to have a swimming pool installed in your backyard, you may also want additional features to complement your pool experience. These are features that you can customise your pool with. The main pool components are those which are necessary for a pool's proper functioning and operation.

The side of the suction

In any pool, there is a side that allows for the water to be sucked in. This is the side that performs the function of the suction of water. The water is sucked into the system and sent directly into the filtration device. Here, the circulation of water occurs.

The skimmers

Home pool tips to maintain your pool will always talk about skimmers. These are on the side where suction occurs, and you may consider them as a part of the filtration mechanism. Built at the side, they consist of buckets that have skimmer baskets inside. They catch large debris like bugs, twigs, leaves, and any other debris too big to fit through your filtration device. The water of the pool travels into the skimmer and begins its path to the filter. While speaking about skimmers, it is important to know about suction lines – these are pipes, made from PVC, that take the water of the pool from the skimmers to the pool pump.

The primary drain

The main or primary drain of your pool is typically located in the lowest surface area of the interior of your pool. Whether you go in for the advanced fibreglass pools or any other, the drains will always be there. You will find the drain at the deep end of your pool. Nonetheless, although this part is known as a drain, it can mislead you as to its actual function. Yes, it is used as a device to drain your pool, but it isn’t often used this way. Normally, the main drain acts like a skimmer does. The water circulation is controlled by the main drain and the skimmers as water is sucked at the top via the skimmers, and at the lower end of the pool by the drain.

Home fibreglass pool tips suggest that you should never try to use the drain as its name suggests and drain a pool by yourself. If you wish to drain your pool at any point in time, you should call in an expert to help you. Advanced pools built in-ground today have two drains. This is purely a protective measure in the event one of the main drains experiences a blockage.

The pool's filtration

In the system of filtration of any fibreglass pools of today (and other pools too), you will find the system composed of the filter of the pool and the pump of the pool. Although these are within the same system, they are entirely individual in their make-up and operation:

The Filter of the Pool – Pools often make use of sanitisers such as chlorine to get rid of bacteria and viruses. Nonetheless, this is only a small part of the job completed. The rest is conducted by the filter of the pool. Tiny particles, debris, and in particular cases, bacteria also, is removed by filters. These may be particles that sanitisers may have failed to remove properly.

The Pump of the Pool – In case you are thinking that the water of the pool simply drops into skimmers, you are wrong. The “impeller”, a part of the pump of any pool, is a spinning device that forces a vacuum, sucking water into the filter of the pool. In all pools, including home swimming pools, the device is operated by a motor. Consequently, any pump of a pool is classified according to its horsepower. The horsepower you need is dependent on your pool’s size. The larger the pool, the bigger your pump will be. This means that the pump has to move higher water volume.

The side of the pressure

The side of your pool that pushes water away from the filter and sends it back inside the pool is called the “pressure side” of the pool. This function makes the circulation of water complete. On this side of fibreglass pools, you will find the following parts:

Return Lines – These perform operations contrary to the lines of suction. They are pipes of PVC that take pool water back from the filter to the jets.

Return Jets – Once the water which has gone through filtration has travelled via return lines, it reaches the return jets, and enters the pool again.

Plainly put, the jets of home swimming pools have dual purposes. They are not only portals from which water is carried back and forth into the pool, these jets also tend to propel water all around the pool. This is a good way for water to reach skimmers, and also to force any debris into the baskets of skimmers.

Kinds of pools

Whatever pool you have chosen to own, whether fibreglass pools or concrete, all vary in shape and size, depending on the pool you have selected to meet your requirements. Basically, all pools have common components, and all serve specific purposes. These are fundamental pool parts that every pool requires for its adequate functioning and maintenance. Other components can be added to pools, whether in-ground or above.

Conclusion

Whatever you own, from a New Zealand fibreglass swimming pool to any device, you should know the ins and outs of working with any equipment. This goes for pools and their parts. Being aware of the parts of a pool gives you an edge and you can be savvy when it comes to pool maintenance and repair. Once you know about the parts of a pool, you are prepared for mishaps as you can easily decipher any pool problems.

Understanding The Different Parts Of A Swimming Pool

Essential parts of a pool are vital to know about, not just for the maintenance of pools, but also for pool safety considerations. If you are a proud pool owner, you must know what the different parts of a pool are, be able to identify them, and know their function. In case of any troubleshooting, knowing and grasping how pool components work can help you when you call in pool maintenance services. You may not know how to repair pool parts yourself, but you should be aware of their functioning to check the working of your pool generally.

There are different kinds of home swimming pools on the market today, but the crucial parts of any pool remain common to most pools. When you decide to have a swimming pool installed in your backyard, you may also want additional features to complement your pool experience. These are features that you can customise your pool with. The main pool components are those which are necessary for a pool's proper functioning and operation.

The side of the suction

The skimmers

The primary drain

The pool's filtration

The side of the pressure

Return Lines – These perform operations contrary to the lines of suction. They are pipes of PVC that take pool water back from the filter to the jets.

Return Jets – Once the water which has gone through filtration has travelled via return lines, it reaches the return jets, and enters the pool again.

Kinds of pools

Conclusion

Why You Should Take Care Of Fibreglass Pool Stains Promptly

If you own a fibreglass pool, then you'll eventually notice stains forming. It could be as little as a month before you notice a stain starting to form around the water line. If you leave it alone, you'll find that this stain doesn't go away by itself.

At this point, you could be wondering if your pool maintenance was off in any way. This isn't your fault in any way, but something that naturally happens with fibreglass pools. If you own a fibreglass pool, it will stain eventually. And when this happens, you should get rid of the stain immediately.

Here's What You Should Know About Fibreglass Pool Stains:

Fibreglass Pool Stains Aren't Unusual

One of the advantages of getting a fibreglass pool, especially one that is gel-coated, is that it isn’t porous in the same way plaster pools are. This means that your pool won’t become rough or etched. Fibreglass feels smooth but is susceptible to the growth of algae.

As the surface is super slick, stains can firm as well. Even a fibreglass pool with a gel coat will stain easily.

Here are some tips on buying a winter pool cover!

Stains Aren't Random

There are several things that could cause stains on the surface of your fibreglass pool. The chemicals in your pool could be imbalanced or there could be high levels of metal in it. Sometimes, foreign objects can also stain fibreglass pools. Sunblock and swimmers who use a lot of body oil can also cause stains to form in your fibreglass pool.

The Importance Of Water Balance

You’ll need to test your water balance regularly if you want the optimal standards related to water balance to be maintained. The pH balance of your fibreglass pool should be between 7.2 and 7.4.

The total alkalinity of your pool water needs to be between 80 and 100 parts per million. The chlorine in your pool should either be at or above 1 part per million. And the calcium hardness of your pool needs to be between 200 and 400 parts per million.

Should any of these numbers fall out of the optimal range, then stains can develop in your pool. If you want to prevent pool stains from forming, then you’ll need to check the water balance of your pool regularly and add chemicals as needed.

Check out our guide on what you need to know about pool renovation!

What Causes Stains In Fibreglass Pools?

Your pool can either be stained by organic stains or inorganic stains. Let’s first look at what the organic stains are.

Organic Stains In Fibreglass Pools

There are two kinds of organic contaminants that can cause your fibreglass pool to stain. These include:

Leaves And Pollen

Usually, organic stains are caused by leaves as well as pollen. Organic stains aren’t difficult to clean. You can just use your regular pool brush to clean these stains. Sometimes, however, organic stains can be slightly sticky and difficult to just brush off. In such cases, you may think this is an inorganic stain.

But organic stains like these disappear eventually within a few weeks or a month. If it doesn’t come out in an easy way, don’t just assume that the stain is organic.

To prevent organic stains from forming in your fibreglass pool, ensure that you keep your pool clean. Clean out any leave or pollen that falls in your pool, especially during Autumn.

Prep your fibreglass pool for a fantastic summer with these tips and guidelines here!

Algae

Algae can also cause organic stains to form in your pool. This is the result of low levels of free chlorine. The colour of algae can be yellow, green, as well as black. Getting rid of algae requires you to shock your pool.

In order to determine that you’re dealing with stains caused by algae, conduct an OCLT. Also known as an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, you’ll need to add chlorine to your fibreglass pool water in the evening. Then, compare the reading of free chlorine in the morning to what it was the night before. If the amount of free chlorine falls by at least 2 ppm or more, then it’s an algae infestation.

You can spot green algae floating on the water sometimes. If you see yellow or even mustard algae, then you’ll need a lot of chlorine to get rid of it. You can spot black algae as well, in the form of black spots on the walls and the bottom of the pool.

Inorganic Stains In Fibreglass Pools

What causes inorganic stains include heavy metals such as iron, copper and magnesium. Stains can be formed after chlorine is added to the water. If the pH level increases sharply, then the metals in the pool will be oxidized, causing stains to form.

If you notice a stain that is light green, then this means that copper could be the culprit. Copper has a tendency of turning the colour of the water into a shade of green. Should the stain be yellow or brown, then this indicates that iron is causing the stain. In the case of magnesium, you’ll see a black stain developing.

Stains caused by iron look yellow when they appear on the steps and the walls of a fibreglass pool. Heavy metals could have found their way into your pool if you used water from a well or a borehole to fill your pool.

Minerals can also be deposited as a result of using pool chemicals that come with added metals. An example of this is an algaecide that is copper based. If the metal fittings in the pool are corroding, then this could leave behind stains as well.

You’ll need to use a stain remover with the right chemical formula, in order to get rid of inorganic stains from your fibreglass pool. Usually, however, it’s well water that causes inorganic stains to form.

Here are the types of pool covers to consider to keep your home pool clean and safe!

Conclusion

If your fibreglass pool starts to develop a stain, and it eventually will, then you’ll need to get rid of the stain immediately. If you don’t, then the stain can look more pronounced and will be more difficult to clean eventually. Use this guide to learn what causes fibreglass pools to stain, as well as what you can do to prevent stains from forming.

Tips For Buying A Winter Cover For Your Swimming Pool

When the seasons start to feel less warm, you may be wondering if your swimming pool needs a winter cover. The simple answer is yes, but if you want to decide which type of cover will work best for your pool and budget, there are some things you need to know.

Today, there is no shortage of pool cover options available. Depending on your need, style, and budget, there are so many choices that you might feel overwhelmed. This guide will help you understand what type of winter cover is best for your situation.

What Type of Pool Cover Should You Buy?

There are several types of pool covers available. The most common ones are:

Mesh Winter Pool Covers

A mesh winter pool cover is a type of pool cover that allows air to enter and exit the swimming pool in order to keep water from freezing. These are commonly used on above-ground pools but can also be installed on in-ground pools if they have been built with an area below the ground level where snow or ice can collect during colder months.

There are a lot of advantages to using a mesh winter pool cover. One of these is its ability to keep water warm during cold temperatures by allowing enough oxygen into your swimming pool to enter. This way, the pool water won’t freeze up too quickly, and you will spend less time cleaning up the pool.

Solid Winter Pool Covers

Solid winter pool covers are made of a single piece of material. They're typically heavier and more expensive than mesh covers, but they also have their own set of advantages. Solid covers are more durable than mesh ones. While both types can be destroyed by wind or rain, solid pools require little maintenance once installed (and usually don't need to be cleaned out every year). This means that you won't need to replace them as often as you would with a mesh cover.

Safety Pool Covers

Safety pool covers are made of solid material and are heavy-duty. They're designed to provide protection from the elements, including wind and snow, as well as from falling objects like leaves or debris from above. Safety covers will not only keep your family safe but will also help prevent damage to your pool when it comes time for spring cleaning!

How to find the right sized swimming pool cover

It’s important to buy the right-sized swimming pool cover to close and properly cover your pool. Before you buy a cover, make sure that you measure your swimming pool dimensions correctly. In the case of an in-ground pool, the pool cover should be at least 3 inches more in length and width from the pool’s edge. Buying a pool cover for a standard-sized pool is easy and less expensive. However, in the case of freeform pool design, you will have to get a customized cover.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of pool heaters!

What Grade of Pool Cover to Buy?

The grade of pool cover you choose depends on the size of your swimming pool, as well as its type and location. For example, a small backyard pool will require a lighter-weight vinyl liner, while an Olympic-sized centre-pivot that needs to be covered year-round requires something much more durable like steel or aluminium.

Check out whether or not a swimming pool is a good investment!

While there are many factors that go into determining what kind of material is best for your situation and budget, here are some general guidelines:

Vinyl liners are also great because they can easily be painted over with pretty colours without worrying about damaging other parts inside during installation or cleaning out the debris afterwards!

If you want something quick and easy, that'll keep water out but won't cost too much money, then consider using mesh, as it's both affordable and attractive looking when installed correctly.

Add-ons you have to try

There are many ways to protect an above-ground winter pool cover, but some of the most common include:

Using a pool cover pump: This is one of the best ways to make sure your swimming pool cover doesn’t have any water on it. It’s also important to note that not all pumps are created equal, so it’s important to select one that has been tested and approved by independent professionals who know what they’re talking about!

Keeping your pool area clean during the winter months is vitally important for multiple reasons. See the details here!

Using an automatic pool cover reel: When you use an automatic reel cover, you can easily cover and uncover your swimming pool. It is hands-free, self-deploying, and self-retraction. It also doesn’t require any manual cranking or pulling. This can save both time and money because it does not require any maintenance at all except simply re-stowing after use!

The cheapest pool cover is not always the best option!

A winter cover is a very important part of your swimming pool. It protects your pool from debris, dirt and other contaminants that can damage your swimming pool.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a cover for your pool – size, cost, maintenance requirements, and so on. You should also make sure that you choose an appropriate model for your needs. For example, if you live in an area where there is snowfall every year, then it may be necessary to invest in a heavy-duty model with snow protection features like flaps at each corner (or even around the perimeter). Cost is an important factor, but it shouldn’t be put over quality and maintenance requirements. Remember that cheapest isn’t always the best option.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many different types of winter covers available today. But the most important thing is to choose one that fits your needs and budget. If you want an affordable option, then a mesh cover might be best for you. However, if you want something more secure than those inexpensive ones, then consider buying a solid or safety pool cover instead. These options will keep your pool safe during cold months while also keeping it clean and providing extra insulation. If you are still unsure about which pool cover is best for you, you should talk to a professional.

Weekly Maintenance Guide For Home Pools

Swimming pools are a point of pride for many homeowners. It aids in maintaining a healthy fitness regimen despite busy schedules and enhances the charm of your home during parties and get-togethers. It also provides a good place for you to relax, unwind, and have a fun weekend.

After installing a swimming pool, a really important element that one has to keep in mind is its maintenance. Proper maintenance is necessary for a swimming pool to avoid issues like algal build-up, contaminated water, and damaged structures. A responsible swimming pool owner should try to maintain and clean their swimming pool on a weekly basis. There are eight tips that you can follow to keep your swimming pool beautiful and clean.

Steps to maintain your pool weekly

It takes a lot of commitment and effort to keep your swimming pool clean, but with just a bit of knowledge, it will be easier to maintain the pool all year. The important steps to complete while cleaning and maintaining your pool weekly include:

Skim off dirt, debris, and leaves

It is important to clean the dirt, debris and leaves to keep the pool sparkling and to avoid health and hygiene-related issues. Skimming can be done daily, but it is an absolute must during your weekly cleaning sessions. Use a leaf skimmer with a long handle to remove any floating material from the swimming pool’s surface, including leaves, pollen clumps, insects, and other objects. If any debris reaches the bottom of the swimming pool, it will be more challenging to remove it, and it may even leave stains. Removing debris at least on a weekly basis will prevent this from happening.

(Is a swimming pool a good investment? Find out here!)

If the pool is located near big trees, it is advisable to trim these trees to limit the number of leaves, branches, and other debris falling into the pool. It only takes a few minutes to skim the pool’s surface. But, it keeps your pool water crystal clear, sparkly and beautiful. Also, if the dirt, debris, and leaves are skimmed off weekly, they will not have a chance to clog the pool filtration system.

Clean the pool deck

Keeping the pool water free from debris and leaves is not enough to keep the pool clean. You should also regularly clean your pool deck. Your pool deck will also have fallen leaves or branches on it that can reach your pool when there is wind. Sometimes, climbing into the pool water from a dirty deck can make the water dirty. Improper maintenance of the pool deck can also lead to the breakdown of pool deck materials, causing unwanted accidents.

Sweep your pool deck at least weekly or twice a week to clear off all the fallen debris. For concrete and wood decks, use a diluted vinegar solution or oxygenated bleach to get rid of moss, algae, and similar growth. If the deck is really dirty, you can use dish soap for cleaning. You can also use pressure washing to clean the deck.

Check out whether fibreglass pools can be heated!

Brush your pool walls

The walls of the swimming pool and accessories like slides and ladders can get covered in algae and bits of dirt. Every week, brush the fixtures and walls of your swimming pool to remove debris and stop the growth of algae. With a brush, clean the debris that has accumulated at the bottom and sides of the pool. Remember to brush the slides, the ladder, and any other accessories you may have in your pool. Push sediment towards the main drain to make the vacuuming easier. Also, remember to brush those sections of the pool that cannot be easily reached, like corners, waterlines, and crevices.

Find out whether fibreglass pools can be saltwater or not here!

Vacuum your pool

If any debris has floated to the pool’s bottom, it can be vacuumed out after you have brushed the walls. You can vacuum your pool either manually or by using an automatic cleaner. Automatic cleaners aid in water circulation in addition to sucking up debris.

Clean skimmer and filter

You should empty your skimmer once a week, or more frequently if necessary. Emptying the skimmer will allow it to function more effectively, capturing the bulk of debris that enters your pool. You should also frequently check the water level in your pool. Debris won’t be efficiently gathered if the level is higher than halfway up the skimmer.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for filter cleaning and maintenance. Clean out any dirt that may have accumulated in your pool filter every week.

Keep the pump running

Running the pool pump 24/7 is good for your swimming pool. It will make sure that the pool water is adequately filtered and that the chemicals operate efficiently. If you cannot operate your pump every day for 24 hours, ensure that it runs for at least eight hours.

Why is pool warranty important? Check it out here!

Keep your pool chemicals optimal

Test the pool water at least weekly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for chemical treatments. You can add chemicals like sanitisers and disinfectants to the pool daily to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae. Remember to check the chlorine and pH levels of your pool weekly. Regular shock treatments are also required to clear the water of any algae, germs, debris, organic matter, and other contaminants. Do the shock treatments according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After shocking your pool, you can also apply an algaecide. Add additional chemicals based on your manufacturer’s instructions to remove scale and rust.

Can pools have waterslides? See the details here!

Backwashing

Backwash your pool filter weekly if you regularly use your pool. You can also backwash once the filter gauge shows 8–10 psi above average. It is always better to backwash less.

Conclusion

A swimming pool in the backyard is a dream come true for many homeowners. It not only adds beauty to the backyard but also increases the value of your property. By having a proper weekly maintenance schedule for your pool, you can keep it clean and beautiful. Maintaining the pool regularly will not only make it beautiful but prevent health issues and increase the lifespan of the swimming pool. Also, remember to seek professional help at least once a year to check the overall state of the pool.

Prepping Your Fibreglass Pool For Summer

If you've not used your pool at all during winter, then you'll need to prepare it before you can start using it again in summer. Let's find out all about preparing your fibreglass pool for summer!

Summer is on the way, which means that the season you’re most likely to make use of your pool is coming. People enjoy socialising, throwing parties, or even relaxing around their fibreglass pools during the summer months. You could be thinking about throwing a barbecue in your backyard, where your friends and family can even enjoy taking a dip in the pool water.

During the winter months, you may have avoided using your pool altogether. It isn’t uncommon for pool owners to leave their fibreglass pools covered through the winter months. Some people, like those who have pool heaters, could continue to use their pool through the winter months.

1. Don't empty out the pool water

You could be thinking that the first thing you should do is to empty out the water in the fibreglass pool. This water has been stagnant in your pool through winter, so it must not be safe for swimming in. While this idea seems good, it can lead to you needing a replacement job done for your fibreglass pool.

This is as emptying the pool water out all at once can affect your pool’s structural integrity. If this happens, then this could lead to your pool popping out of place. Then, you’ll need to call the pool installer again and get them to refit your fibreglass pool. This is why the water in the pool shouldn’t be emptied out at once.

2. Cleaning the pool

You’ll also need to clean any dirt, debris or foreign contaminants out of your pool. If you haven’t run your pool’s filter or circulation system through the winter months, then you’ll first need to check on those. Clean your pool filter, and ensure that there isn’t any debris stuck in it. Your pool can have different kinds of filters, and you’ll need to know how to clean out your particular filter. Usually, you’ll need to backwash the filter in order to clean it. You’ll also need to clean the skimmer basket.

You will also need to manually get rid of any dirt, debris, leaves, branches and other foreign contaminants that may have made their way into your pool. You will need a net that can help you clean these foreign contaminants out. After you’ve carefully drained out the water in your pool, you’ll need to brush the sides of the pool, as well as the bottom.

This is as dirt and sludge could have accumulated in these areas over winter. This is why you’ll need to carefully scrub your fibreglass pool clean, in order to ensure that you can then use it.

Check out whether or not your backyard is suited for a swimming pool!

3. Checking the pool pump

It’s important to check to ensure that all the components of your fibreglass pool are in working order. And the most important of these is the pool pump. Before using the pool, ensure that all its components are working fine. At this point, you could also consider upgrading your pool system, if you haven’t already. You may also have found some inconsistencies while you were working, that could signify that repair is needed.

If you have any questions regarding your pool pump, then you’ll need to call your pool technician. In case you don’t know how to check your pool pump, you can also call a pool technician to come and inspect it for you. There are many plumbing decisions that are quite affordable as well. A plumbing technician can help you ensure that you don’t go over your budget when fixing your pool pump.

Concrete pools can take months to install – but fibreglass pools can take a lot less time. See just how much!

4. Adding pool chemicals

You should never use your fibreglass pool after it’s been stagnant for a long period, without checking the pool water chemistry first. This is as stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for algae as well as bacteria. Go to your nearest pool store and buy pool water testing kits.

Check to see whether the pH level of your pool is within the right range or not. If there are algal blooms in your pool, then you may need to call in a professional pool cleaner. Algal blooms are often indicated by the cloudy colour of the pool water. There are specific pool chemicals you can buy that help remove algal blooms. You can even think about getting rid of the algae yourself, but make sure that you do a thorough job so that the algae doesn’t come back.

Eventually, when the pool is clean, you’ll want to fill your pool with fresh water. Now, you’ll need to test the pH level of your water again, to ensure that the pool water is balanced. If it isn’t, then you’ll need to add the right pool chemicals, in order to ensure that your fibreglass pool is ready for use.

5. Checking for leaks and cracks

At least once every year, you should consider checking your fibreglass pool to see if there are any cracks in it. You may not notice any cracks that are visible, but it’s important to monitor your pool nonetheless. When you’re cleaning your fibreglass pool and preparing it for summer, it could be the perfect time to check for leaks and cracks.

There could also be times when you notice that the water level of your pool is decreasing, even when there aren’t any cracks that are visible. This most often indicates a leak and a professional pool installer will need to look for it. Detecting leaks in fibreglass pools can be seen as a science that is exact, which is why you need the help of professionals who are trained. Professionals will also have the right tools with them, that will help them ensure that they can detect and fix any leaks in your fibreglass pool.

Swimming pools can be good investments, see why here!

Conclusion

You’ll need to get your fibreglass pool summer ready before you can start using it. From cleaning the pool out to checking the water balance of the pool, there are five key things that you need to do before you start using your pool. Use this guide to find out what they are.

What You Need to Know About Pool Renovation

Sooner or later, you might want to change the size, shape, or depth of your pool. Maybe you have kids now and want a shallow area or your kids have grown up and you want to get rid of the shallow area. Whatever the reason, pool renovation is not something to be taken lightly. In this article, we will go through some of the important things you should know about pool renovation.

Types of pool renovations

Depending on your requirements, you will have different types of pool renovation. Here are some of the common examples:

Changing the shape of the pool
Adding different tiles on the pool floor
Creating a spa
Adding a water or fire feature
Adding sun shelves
Adding a diving board or a water slide
Installing lights
Updating the landscaping
Updating the pool deck

Did you know pools can be heated? Check it out!

Why you shouldn’t be DIYing pool renovation?

You might think that you can DIY the pool renovation, but you might be overestimating your skills. Admitting that you need the help of professionals can be difficult. So, before you go and dismantle your pool, ask yourself if you really can do it. Only if you are 100% sure that you can do it easily and efficiently, then you should go ahead. Remember that YouTube tutorials and online guides might not be enough to get your pool renovated on your own. It might be a bad idea and cost you more in the long run. If you are confident in your abilities, make sure that you know everything you have to and have everything you need.

Time taken to renovate the pool

As it is with any form of construction, it will take you some time to renovate your pool, depending on factors like the scope of the project. One of the biggest considerations is the size of your pool. A smaller pool will take you less time than a big pool. Then, you have to consider the renovation project itself. For instance, if you are only installing a ladder in your pool, the whole thing will be wrapped up in a day. However, if you are changing your pool’s shape to a point that you get a new pool at the end, the whole process can take weeks or even months. Here is a breakdown:

1-8 weeks for selecting the pool design and getting the required permits
1 week for excavating the site
1-2 weeks for routing the electrical and plumbing and laying the steel
1-3 weeks for plastering
1-4 weeks for adding custom features for your deck or landscaping

There are a lot of factors that can have an impact on the duration of your pool renovation project, such as:

1. Availability of the contractor

This is a crucial factor to consider while determining the time it will take to finish your pool renovation. If you are doing an extensive renovation, you will need the help of specialists like concreters, pavers, electricians, fencers, etc. Their availability will affect the duration of your project.

2. Time of the year

If you are renovating your pool during the summer season, you might have to wait for some time. On the other hand, the winter season isn’t considered ideal for construction and the whole process might be slowed down because of it.

3. Approval from the local authorities

Depending on where you live, you will need different types of permits before you can start the construction in your backyard. It can either prolong or shorter the duration of your project renovation. Also, going from one local authority to another for the permits can be quite a headache.

Unsure if a swimming pool is a good investment? Here’s our take on it!

The cost of pool renovation

Before you start the pool renovation process, you must know how much it is going to cost you. As the renovation progresses, there might be additional costs, so having a budget is crucial to get things done. Look up the general costs of the services that contractors in your area charge. It will help you get a rough estimate. You can call them directly, tell them your requirements, and get a quote.

In case you have decided to handle the pool renovation yourself, you should measure your pool and get some estimates of how much the materials will cost you. It will also help you figure out the time it will take you to finish the pool renovation. Remember that your time isn’t free. Compare the cost of the time you will be spending on the project with the cost of hiring professional contractors.

After making a decision between doing it yourself and getting professional help, you should add some extra money for unforeseeable events. It is possible that your pool renovation process won’t go smoothly and would be derailed by problems. You don’t want to get halfway done, only to realize that you have spent all the allocated money. That way, you will end up with a pool that you can’t use during the summer. Having an idea of the cost of the pool renovation project is crucial.

Bit chilly in the area? See the advantages and disadvantages of pool heaters!

Taking care of the pool after the renovation

Once your pool has been renovated, your pool’s maintenance guidelines might change. Your pool will need some aftercare as well. For example, if you install new equipment, you must know how to properly maintain it. The effort you put into it now will ensure that it remains functional and in good condition for years to come. If you have done some cosmetic changes to your pool, learn the best practices to keep it clean.

Wrapping up

Renovating your pool can be great. However, if you don’t concern yourself with the upkeep, the changes won’t last for long. If you want to ensure that your pool remains in great shape, you have to follow the guidelines provided by the specialists. You can take the help of professional pool cleaning services who can help you with the maintenance.

Once you have considered everything mentioned above, you can start renovating your pool. This is a difficult task that requires a lot of research and planning. But, if you do it the right way, the rewards will be worth it.

Types Of Pool Covers To Consider To Keep Your Home Pool Clean & Safe

Let’s talk pool covers. It’s a pool accessory that’s absolutely integral to your pool’s cleanliness, safety and energy efficiency. Yet, people hardly talk about it. In this article, we explore what different types of pool covers are available for you to choose from and how to select the one that’s perfect for your pool. So, let’s get started.

Type 1: Solid pool covers

Solid pool covers are the most conventional of all pool cover types that you’d find on the market. It’s typically made out of polyvinyl sheets and is thick enough to keep debris from falling into the pool, without tearing. These pool covers are a budget-friendly option because they don’t have any additional bells and whistles. They’re simple to manually pull over your pool and they are pretty durable, lasting for a few years.

The biggest advantage of a solid pool cover is that it protects your pool from all types of debris – no matter how large or small. It’s also a great way to reduce your pool heating costs because the cover can insulate the water pretty well. Overall, the solid pool cover is opaque and thick, making it perfect for UV protection. This in turn keeps your pool tiles from discolouring. The vinyl sheets can last up to 10-12 years if cared for well.

The disadvantage of solid pool covers is that if it rains, the water pools right on top of the cover, necessitating pool cover cleaning and drying. Plus, if something sharp or heavy were to fall on the cover, it’s likely the fabric will tear easily.

Check out whether fibreglass pools can be heated or not!

Type 2: Winter pool covers

Winter pool covers are a type of solid pool cover that is used specifically for winter. These pool covers are typically made out of tarpaulin sheets – making them much more heavy-duty than polyvinyl solid covers.

The advantage of a winter pool cover is that it’s inexpensive (and easy to replace once it’s worn out). It’s also long-lasting, capable of giving up to 5 years of pool coverage if you take care of it. Plus, you can always use a winter pool cover for your indoor pools, since they warm your water enough to prevent installing a pool heating system. The thickness and solid coverage of the winter pool cover also reduce the risk of algal growth and UV radiation.

The major disadvantage here is that a 5 years lifespan is actually pretty short for a pool cover. Also, if you have an outdoor pool, the winter cover may have a very limited usage to only the winter months. You may need to invest in a second pool cover for the summer months. Just like vinyl solid pool covers, the trap winter cover can’t bear much debris weight and is susceptible to tearing.

Here’s why it’s important to keep your pool area clean during the winter months!

Type 3: Mesh pool covers

Mesh pool covers are made of polypropylene fabric that’s tightly woven, but with pockets of space to create a mesh-like texture. They are designed to stay taut over the water, instead of resting/lying on the surface.

Mesh pool covers are definitely more long-lasting than solid vinyl covers.

...they have a lifetime of up to 15 years!

They also keep large debris at bay by collecting the debris in the mesh spaces/pockets. The tensile strength of this cover is very high, making it perfectly safe to use if your pool is located under a large tree or is prone to getting heavy debris.

The space in the mesh cover allows rainwater, snow melt and dew through to the pool, which is helpful in two ways. For one, this ensures that your pool remains naturally topped up with water regularly, reducing the need to order extra gallons. Secondly, the mesh cover is perfect for maintaining the chemical profile of natural pond-style pools, by allowing nutrients in rainwater to mix with the pool water.

Of course, this very advantage can become problematic if you don’t want a pool that is similar to a natural water body. The mesh cover can mess up the quality of the water, necessitating regular water treatments. Secondly, it doesn’t protect your pool’s tiles from UV radiation, resulting in tile discolouration. Also, mesh pool covers can be more expensive to use because they need special accessories to be installed to put up the mesh in the first place.

Fibreglass vs Concrete pools, see the details here!

Type 4: Hybrid pool covers

So far, we’ve looked at solid covers (and by extension winter covers) and mesh covers. Now, you may be having a hard time trying to decide which of the two types of pool covers to get. If you can’t decide or find that you want one of each, we’d recommend taking a look at hybrid pool covers.

These hybrid pool covers basically function like a solid pool cover when you need to prevent debris from falling into the pool. But the fabric also has a mesh-like texture that lets precipitation into the pool, like a mesh pool cover. It does offer some degree of protection from UV rays and does prevent algal growth. It’s also a great all-season pool cover because of the unique way it is constructed. Plus, these pool covers have a lifespan of 15-16 years, making them worth spending on.

Of course, the fact that it has so many amazing features means that hybrid pool covers are actually very expensive. These are the most expensive types of pool covers, in fact. Plus, you’ll need to spend extra on putting in the required installation set-up to hold up your hybrid pool cover.

Get your pool summer ready with these tips!

Type 5: Automatic pool covers

Till now, all the pool covers we discussed were manually operated. But the final pool cover on our list is the automatic pool cover. This is a fully automated, state-of-the-art pool cover that can be both controlled by a remote and pre-programmed to close at a particular time. The functionality of automated pool covers depends on the brand you choose and how tech-heavy it is.

These automatic pool covers are great if you don’t want the hassle of removing and putting back the pool cover every day. Plus, you can make the equipment cover only part of the pool, allowing you to use the other, open section.

Another advantage of automatic pool covers is that they can be designed to mimic the decking and tiling of your pool, so the aesthetics of the pool area are maintained. But despite all these advantages, there are some problems with automatic pool covers.

(Check out what you need to know about pool renovation!)

For one, you need to call qualified pool cover installers to set up your pool cover. If something is faulty with the cover, there’s no way to manually pull it over your pool. The cost of installation is very high – even higher than hybrid pool covers. Add to this cost of repairs and maintenance, and you have yourself a very expensive pool cover at home.

Finally, if you ever decide to get rid of this pool cover and replace it with a manual cover, you’ll need to get your installer to come in and disassemble both the automatic pool cover and any other additional installations they had set up around your deck.

To Conclude - How to choose the ideal pool cover for you?

Ultimately, the choice of a pool cover boils down to the following questions –

What is the goal with your pool cover –reducing electricity consumption, pool safety, better water sanitation, reducing additional water fill-ups, less exertion when using the cover, or all of them?
How much is your budget for a pool cover?
How much effort do you want to exert in using your pool cover every day?
Are you willing to spend on extra accessories and construction to support your pool cover?
Do you plan on changing your pool covers in the future?

Our team of experienced pool installers can advise you on the type of pool cover that best fits your family, lifestyle and budget. Reach out to us today to discuss your pool installation and pool maintenance needs. We look forward to making your pool experience safe and comfortable.

Why is Your Pool Warranty So Important?

There can be a lot of unforeseen and costly pitfalls in life. In order to protect yourself from these, you have insurance policies. A warranty works in a similar way, except it agrees to provide coverage for a product against unexpected losses or problems. Fibreglass pool warranties work the same way. Regardless of what type of pool you have or what elements you avail of, you can use warranties to protect your investment.

It is important to note that fibreglass pools are of high quality. Even though they are relatively new to the market, their reputation has been stellar. If you get one from a reputable contractor, the chances of problems will reduce significantly. However, this doesn’t mean that something unforeseeable might not pop up. Fibreglass pools are a big investment and you must make sure that you get coverage for any defects, wear, or damage. If not, you might have to pay a lot for pool replacements and repairs.

For more pool tips and tricks, check out our blog!

Fibreglass Pool Warranties

In the case of a fibreglass pool warranty, you sign a contract with the licensed builder. If you want, you can get a structural warranty as well, which comes from the company that manufactured the mould. Depending on the manufacturer, this can vary. You have to ask the manufacturer and builder about what the warranty entails and what will be covered.

A lot of builders will offer you structural warranties for more than a decade. Your pool will be microchipped to ensure that they can know the source of their problems and rectify it as soon as possible. With the microchip, they can pinpoint the exact issue that occurred on the exact day.

A pool shell warranty is different from your equipment and installation warranty as it comes from the manufacturer. It covers the internal shell of your fibreglass pool. Depending on the manufacturer, the warranty period might differ. Discuss your options with the pool builder and learn more about the warranty.

There will be some differences in the terms and conditions as well. You can decide what repair costs you want to include and those which you want to exclude. Your manufacturer will let you know the dos and don’ts of your pool. If not, you can usually find them on their websites. If you want to make sure that your warranty doesn’t get void, you have to stick to these guidelines. If possible, journal all the maintenance schedules.

What does a fibreglass pool warranty cover?

Most pool companies provide long warranties with the fibreglass pool. This is because they know that their construction method is of high standard and the materials used in the installation are of high quality. These warranties also cover several areas of the fibreglass pool. Here are some of the options you might have:

Osmosis warranty

Osmosis occurs when there are bubbles or blisters on the surface of your pool. When this happens, water penetrates the fibreglass. The warranty covers weakened pool structure, blistering, and peeling caused by osmosis or chemicals. It is usually offered for a period of 10 years.

Equipment warranty

There are a lot of equipment and moving parts in a fibreglass pool that are required for it to function properly. These components ensure that your pool water is clean and safe. Every part will have a different warranty from the manufacturer. Depending on each piece of equipment, the warranties will vary between 1 to 3 years. However, if you want to make sure that your equipment remains in top shape, you must follow every single guideline written in the user manual. In case your equipment gets faulty because you didn’t abide by these guidelines, the repair or replacement won’t be covered.

Structural warranty

In this form of warranty, you will get coverage for manufacturing defects. It basically guarantees your fibreglass pool’s structural integrity. Make sure that the warranty offers coverage for 10 years.

Internal warranty

The internal pool warranty is for when the fibreglass pool’s internal gel coat colour finish gets affected by weather conditions or fades away. It usually offers a coverage of 10 years.

Installation warranty

You need a pool installation warranty to ensure that you are protected from any installation defects. You usually get coverage of 2 years for non-structural defects and 6-7 years for structural defects. Read your contract thoroughly to make sure that you get the right coverage for the right period of time.

There are some other warranties that you might get such as plumbing warranty, pencil compaction warranty, and paving warranty. These warranties are usually for 5 to 10 years.

What to do when there is a problem?

The first person to contact after experiencing an issue with the fibreglass pool is the builder. They have years of experience dealing with the issues and will be able to help you. If you are unhappy with their service, you can seek information from the Fair Trading authority, and they can recommend a third-party company.

However, it is recommended that you get your fibreglass pool installation done by a reputable builder as they will be able to help you during a problem as well. With their help, the whole process, including the excavation, installation, and making sure that the pool functions optimally, will be easy-going and smooth. Their work will be of top quality, which will reduce the number of problems you face in the future.

In Conclusion

After the pool has been installed, you have to take care of it properly. With regular maintenance, your fibreglass pool’s longevity will increase and there won’t be as many malfunctions. For fibreglass pools, a comprehensive pool handover must be done. How well your pool works in the future will depend on the water balance and pH of your pool. You have to maintain the chemical balance or else you will be facing a lot of issues in the future. Also, buy a pool cover as it will significantly reduce the operation costs. Since the water won’t be exposed to sunlight or air, it won’t evaporate easily.

So, we hope that this article helped you understand what pool warranties are and why they are important. Investing in them today will save you a lot of money and hassles in the future.

Why It's Important to Keep Your Pool Area Clean During the Winter Months

The swimming pool can be your family's favourite place to hang out during the summer months. You're likely to find people splashing water, enjoying themselves, and having fun during the sunny days of summer. But this can change drastically as soon as the winter months appear.

If winter has set in, there’s nothing to worry about since summer will arrive soon enough. But before summer comes back, you need to ensure that the fibreglass pool is clean, healthy, and ready for your family members to use. This is why it’s necessary to clean your pool from time to time, even when it’s offseason. Your pool will still need attention from you.

Check out our blog for more tips and tricks!

Why Maintaining Your Pool Is Important

If you neglect your swimming pool during the winter months, then you’ll find that this is a mistake that turns out to be costly later on. When you keep your fibreglass pool water clean, you ensure that:

The water health of the pool is maintained
Health-related issues from swimming in the water can be avoided
Expensive repairs can be avoided
Pool toys can be safely stored
The pool can be protected from damage

Pool cleaning is both necessary and can help you protect your fibreglass pool. That way, as soon as summer arrives, using the pool is no problem. When your fibreglass pool is clean, you’ll find minimal growth of algae, as well as low debris accumulation. There are many other benefits to maintaining your pool as well.

Cleaning your pool isn’t important just for the pool itself but also for the garden adjacent to it. You also ensure that the pool toys are maintained, as well as the trees that are close to the pool.

Here is how you can keep your fibreglass pool clean during the winter months.

Safely Storing Pool Accessories and Toys

The first thing you should do is gather all the pool accessories and toys that won’t be used during the winter months. Children love their pool toys, and can spend hours entertained with them by the pool. You don’t want to have to buy new pool toys every summer, so safely storing the old pool toys is a good idea.

You can also reduce incidents related to tripping over the toys and protect the toys from sun damage by safely storing them. Keep in mind that there are proper ways of storing these toys. If a toy is wet or has moisture, then it may develop mould and mildew. These are unhealthy for kids and bad for the toys as well. This is why pool toys should be stored in covered areas, such as a garage or a basement. This can also protect them from gathering dust or exposure to the snow.

You can also consider using talcum powder as a way to protect inflatables from sticking together. This prevents damage as well. Store them in airtight containers. You can also think about cleaning the fences next to the pool. All pool accessories like umbrellas, chairs etc should be safely stored away as well.

Maintaining the Garden

If you want to keep your fibreglass pool clean during the winter months, then you’ll also need to care for the garden area adjacent to it. The trees will need to be trimmed. Falling leaves can also lead to a mess forming in a pool that is uncovered. If you cover your pool, then these leaves can gather on top of the pool cover and gather moisture. If you now your lawn and prime your trees, then you can prevent this from happening.

Note that wet, rotting or soggy leaves have a tendency of being perfect for algae. You wouldn’t want an algae bloom in your pool, so keep the area around your pool clean.

Taking Stock of Pool Chemicals

Pool chemicals are needed to maintain the water health of your fibreglass pool. Any containers of pool chemicals you have can become useless upon the onset of the new season for swimming. This is why you should take stock to note what is useful and what isn’t. If any chemicals have become redundant, then you’ll need to discard them. Useful chemicals should be locked carefully so that kids and pets cannot access them.

If you clean your pool area before the winter season starts, then this can save you a lot of work later on.

Maintaining the Water Chemistry

Chemicals used for pool closing are essential for keeping the water in the pool clean during the winter season. You’ll need to analyse the level of pool chemicals to determine the pH, the alkalinity, as well as the water hardness. You’ll also need to know how much free chlorine is in your pool before you can add chemicals to it.

There are also winter algaecides that you can consider, as well as pool enzymes. These help maintain the water in the pool during the winter months. You can also visit a nearby pool store to learn what the best chemical options for balancing the pool water are.

Cleaning the Pool Water

Even if you and your family don’t use the pool during the winter months, algae have no such preferences. This is why you’ll need to maintain the water health of your fibreglass pool in the winter months as well. You can drain out some of the water and keep the pool covered during the winter. If you clean your pool thoroughly, then you can save effort when opening the pool during summer again.

Consider giving your fibreglass pool a good scrub before you close it. Scrub the walls as well as the floor to remove any trace of algae. You can also think about making use of a leaf net so that debris can be removed before making your pool ready for winter. You’ll need to run filters as well so that tiny particles that could lead to the growth of algae can be cleaned out.

Covering Your Pool

If you cover your fibreglass pool, then you can ensure that the water is clean and that a lot of effort isn’t required when reopening your pool. You can also prevent problems like debris accumulating in the pool, algae, and even accidental falls. Having a pool cover also ensures that the rate of evaporation of the pool water is reduced and pool chemicals aren’t diluted.

Conclusion

Taking care of your fibreglass swimming pool during the winter months is important, and it can help ensure that the water health of your pool is maintained. Use this guide to properly take care of your fibreglass pool during winter.

Feel free to reach out to our friendly team for support!