Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ'S)
What should I
do once I have opened my pool?
When should I close my pool?
Which heater is right for my pool?
My pool is cloudy -- what should I do and how can I prevent
it?
What is Optimizer Plus and why do I want to
use it?
Why is it important to have an end of season water analysis?
How do
I backwash my DE filter?
Why
isn’t my Polaris working properly?
What are
Liquid Tropical Solar Fish and how do they work?
Is it
time to replace my winter cover?
I
think my pool is leaking—how can I be sure?
What should I do once I have opened my
pool?
During the first week after you have started your pool system, run your
pump and filter continuously (24 hours a day - 7 days a week) in order to
filter out the impurities that have accumulated all Winter. If you have a
timer, disable it so that it will not interfere with this. After your pool is
clear and blue your can reduce the filtration time to 8-12 hours a day
depending on the water temperature and your usage. Your pool will need more
attention just after opening it than it normally does during the swimming
season. Extra vacuuming, brushing and backwashing as well as more careful
attention to the chemicals will be necessary. The extra time that you spend on
your pool now will make the rest of the season much easier for you.
During this period, backwash your filter often to obtain the best filtering
capabilities. When your filter reaches 10psi over the "clean" reading
it's time to backwash. This may be as little as once every two weeks or as
often as twice a day; it will depend on how dirty your pool is and what type of
filter you have. If your pool is dirty, green or cloudy, backwashing will be a
frequent task. This is because the filter is doing its job of pulling out the
problem-causing contaminants.
Remove any debris that is in the pool. If you cannot see the bottom, do
blind-vacuuming and scooping or your pool will not clear. Keep the chlorine
level high (3.0ppm+) until the pool is clear and be sure to keep your pH
7.4-7.6 so that the chlorine will work more efficiently.
Two to ten days after your pool is started, bring a water sample to one of
our stores to evaluate the overall balance of your pool water. Be sure that the
pool has circulated at least 2 days so that we can perform an accurate test.
Bring along an inventory of any chemicals you already have so that the store
staff can help you determine if you need to purchase any balancing chemicals.
Once your pool is in balance and is clear and blue, you can begin your routine
Once-A-Week Program of pool care. At this time you also add your Optimizer Plus and install your Nature2 cartridge.
When should I close my pool?
Swimming weather usually lasts through September in our area, and often
into October. There is usually no real risk of freezing until after
Thanksgiving, so there is no reason to hurry up and close your pool. You can
wait as long as you like, but many pools are closed immediately after the kids
return to school with the remainder of them being closed by the end of
November.
The biggest factors in determining when to close your pool are how many trees
you have and which type of cover you have. If you have very many trees in your
yard, once the leaves start falling, you may find that you may have to clean
out your skimmers baskets and your automatic cleaner as much as 2-3 times a
day. If you cannot keep up with this, you may want to close earlier instead of
later.
If you have a mesh cover, remember to "close late and open early" to
minimize the algae growth that can occur because sunlight passes through the
mesh. Some folks that have a mesh cover will put the cover on as soon as the
leaves start falling, but will leave the pool operating underneath. That way,
if we have a nice weekend, they can pull off the cover and enjoy the pool
again.
If you have a solid cover, you can close earlier. Some folks with solid covers
wait until most of the leaves have fallen before they close because they find
it easier to keep the pool clean than to scoop the leaves off the top of the
cover.
Regardless of what type of cover you have, the less time that your pool is
dormant, the fewer problems that you will have during the rest of the year.
Plus, the pool looks so much better when it is running. So why not try and
extend your poolside season. If we are lucky, we'll have a couple of nice
evenings where you can sit out next to the pool and enjoy a drink or have
dinner with the family. And an Indian Summer could mean that the kids can keep
swimming into October.
No matter when you decide to close your pool, schedule your winterization with
Contemporary Watercrafters early. Choice dates fill up fast and sometimes there
can be as much as a 2 or 3 week wait. So plan ahead.
Which heater is right for my pool?
If you want to do one thing to increase how much time your family spends
in the pool, adding a pool heater to your equipment system is probably the
answer. At Contemporary Watercrafters, we often ask, "You wouldn't swim
in a dirty pool, why are you swimming in a cold one?" In this area, a
heater should probably be a standard piece of equipment on every pool if you
actually want to use the pool for more than a few weeks each season. That is
why Watercrafters offers both gas heaters and electric heatpumps for your pool.
Gas heaters are available in natural or
propane models. One advantage to a gas heater is that it is quick. If you only
want to heat your pool periodically-- say for just the weekend-- a gas heater
will allow you to do this. Gas heaters are available in a variety of sizes
(from 250,000 BTUs to 450,000 BTUs) and the larger the heater the quicker the
pool will heat.
If, however, you like to use your pool every day-- say for daily exercise-- an electric heatpump is the most efficient way
to maintain your pool at a constant temperature all season long by slowly
taking warm air and transferring it to the swimming pool water. Though more
expensive to purchase initially than a gas heater, an electric heatpump can
maintain your pool at a constant temperature for significantly less than
natural gas or propane gas.
After your new heater has been installed onto your filter system, you will need
to have the gas or electric service hooked up to the unit by a certified gas
plumber, your propane company or an electrician.
No matter what type of heater you choose, you will want to use a solar blanket to reduce your energy costs. This is
especially important in the evenings when cooler air temperatures and warmer
water temperatures result in evaporation that contributes to heat loss.
Remember, when you invest in a pool heater, you are creating more opportunities
for those treasured poolside family memories of the future.
My pool is cloudy -- what should I do?
First, you should find out why your pool went cloudy. It is important to
remember that water clarity is 50% chemistry and 50% filtration. (See below for
possible causes and ways to improve filter efficiency.) A mid-season water
analysis and chemical cleaning of your filter would be the first steps to
treating cloudy water. You may also need problem-solver products in addition to
chemistry adjustments to restore water clarity. We recommend the following
water enhancer products to help.
The first product we usually recommend is Polysheen Blue -- the newest, most improved
water clarifier on the market. It is extremely concentrate so very little is
needed. Polysheen Blue takes the tiny particles that are causing cloudiness and
clumps them together so it is easier for your filter to pull them out. It is
important to follow directions and not use too much of this product or else it
can actually work against itself.
Additionally, we may recommend Sparkle-Up.
This lightweight powder is added through the skimmer and sits in your filter
tightening up the filter media so it can filter even smaller particles than
usual. When you use Sparkle-Up, you will have to backwash very often, as your
filter will get clogged much faster than usual. After each backwash you will
need to reapply the Sparkle-Up because you will have backwashed it out of the
filter.
Finally, if those don't work, we may recommend Power-Floc.
This is a very strong product that attracts particles together and causes them
to settle out onto the floor of the pool so that they can easily be vacuumed
out. The greater the amount of suspended debris in the water, the faster
Power-Floc will work. However, we do recommend that you vacuum the settled
debris "to waste" so that you do not clog your filter. If you use
Power-Floc, your filter should be equipped with a "multiport valve"
instead of a push-pull valve or a bump-handle.
Patience and attention to your water chemistry will be the answers for clearing
your pool. Prevention will keep it looking clear.
What causes
cloudy water and how can I prevent it?
Usually a drop in chlorine levels is the primary cause of cloudy water.
As the water warms, chlorine consumption increases. Also, increased usage means
more chlorine is needed. A large amount of rain will also contribute to extra
chlorine consumption. All of these factors can cause a dip in your chlorine
levels which in turn can result in cloudiness. But, there are other water
chemistry issues that can cause decreased chlorine levels or cloudy water so
you should bring your water to one of our stores for a mid-season analysis.
It is important to remember that water clarity is 50% chemistry and 50%
filtration. If you are not running your filter long enough or if your filter is
not working efficiently, then proper water chemistry will not solve your
problem. During the Summer you should be running your filter 10-12 hours per
day if the water is clear & blue and 24 hours a day if it's not. Chemical
cleaning of your filter is a preventative maintenance step to keep your filter
working its best. You can improve filter efficiency by chemically cleaning your
sand or filter grids once or twice a season. Mid-season and at closing are the
perfect times to do this. Use Strip-Kwik
degreaser, followed by Kleen-It to
dissolve calcium scale deposits. Additionally, the sand in sand filters should
be replaced every 5-7 years.
Remember, the best solution to a cloudy pool is not to let it get cloudy.
Following a routine like the Once-A-Week 3-Step Maintenance Program is the
foundation for clear and blue water. Another product that helps prevent
problems is new Optimizer Plus which
will not only keep your water looking brilliantly clear but will also reduce
your chances of getting algae. We've found that when your pool is on Optimizer
Plus and your chlorine drops to the low end of the scale, you are less likely
to experience problems like cloudy water. We've also found that pools that are
on Optimizer Plus will clear up much faster and easier than pools that are not
on it in the event that they do have a problem.
What is Optimizer Plus and why do I want to use it?
Optimizer Plus is a new and
unique product that "optimizes" the performance of the chemicals in
your pool water, suppresses algae growth, and makes swimming more comfortable
for your skin and eyes, all at the same time. Few products can offer so many
benefits all at once.
Optimizer Plus increases sanitizer efficiency
in all types of pools. It also improves the buffering in pool water making it
easier to maintain the proper water balance for the protection of equipment and
pool surface. Your pH will be easier to maintain and your water will have a
smooth and gentle feel to it.
Besides making your chemicals work better, Optimizer
Plus is also an algae suppressant, preventing algae growth before it has
a chance to make your water unswimmable. The improved performance of your
chemicals means that typical problems rarely get out of control.
Optimizer Plus is a compound called sodium tetraborate pentahydrate. When added
to a chlorine, bromine or SoftSwim pool, the results are phenomenal! So
phenomenal that this formulation has also been used as a bath conditioner. This
borate-based product provides a smooth and gentle feel to the water, enhancing
water quality and increasing overall comfort by reducing skin and eye
irritation.
You generally only have to add Optimizer Plus once a season. The benefits of
using Optimizer Plus in your pool are long lasting. Once the proper level of
Optimizer Plus is established, only draining, backwashing and splashout will
result in a need to add more. In fact, if your levels are adequate when you
close your pool, Optimizer Plus will keep working throughout the Winter.
Pools that have been treated with Optimizer Plus have exceptional water clarity
and a dazzling sparkle that you will definitely notice. But most importantly,
pools using Optimizer Plus are easier to take care of, and that's the point--
to find technologies that make caring for your pool easier.
How
do I backwash my DE filter?
Backwash your filter when the pressure reaches 10psi over the
“clean reading” to obtain the best filtering capabilities. If your
pool is dirty, green or cloudy, backwashing may be a frequent task. This is
because the filter is doing its job of pulling out the problem causing
contaminants. Every pool is different. Here are some general instructions that
may help refresh your memory.
Overview for Backwashing a DE Filter with a multiport valve:
§ ·Turn off pump and empty & clean the pump basket. Reassemble the pump.
§ ·Turn filter handle to backwash position.
§ ·Turn pump back on. Water will start to come out the backwash line.
§ ·Backwash for at least 3 minutes.
§ ·When the water runs clear in the sightglass, turn the pump off and turn the handle to rinse. Turn the pump back on for 15-30 seconds.
§ ·Turn the pump off and turn the handle to filter.
§ ·Turn the pump back on and bleed any remaining air from the tank.
§ ·Once water begins circulating through the system, add your DE or Purifiber to the skimmer to recoat the filter grids.
Overview for Backwashing a DE Filter with a push/pull valve:
§ ·Turn the off pump and empty & clean the pump basket. Reassemble the pump.
§ ·Twist the handle and pull up on the valve to move it into backwash position.
§ ·Turn pump back on. Water will start to come out the backwash line.
§ ·Backwash for at least 3 minutes.
§ ·When the backwash water runs clear, turn the pump off. Push the handle to the filter position and twist it to lock it in place.
§ ·Turn the pump back on and bleed any remaining air from the the filter tank.
§ ·Once water begins circulating through the system, slowly add your DE or Purifiber to the skimmer to recoat the filter grids.
.
Why isn't my Polaris working properly?
Usually, this is due to low flow. Empty your pump and skimmer baskets and then backwash your filter. If the screen on the Polaris wall fitting is clogged, that will also cause of low flow to the cleaner. Disconnect the cleaner from the wall. Inside the wall fitting, there is a small mesh screen that needs to be cleaned periodically. Your problem can also be caused by the simple fact that the Polaris booster pump is not turned on or because your filter-pump is not turned on.
If you are still having problems, turn on the Polaris and watch the backup valve-- the bulbous fitting about 3 feet from the unit's head. Water should shoot out of this every 5 minutes or so. If it continuously flows from this fitting, then the backup valve needs to be replaced.
Finally try turning the head on its side. Are all 3 wheels spinning? If not, the belts could be broken or the unit could be clogged.
How
do I disconnect the Polaris wall fitting?
Turn off both the pool pump and the Polaris pump. Visualize yourself in the pool. Grab the fitting, push it firmly towards the wall, turn it counter-clockwise. Lubricate the orings before replacing the fitting.
How
often should I run my Polaris?
Run the Polaris for only 2-4 hours a day and then shut it off so that any dirt or debris that was stirred up can settle again. Do not watch the Polaris while it is running; it will drive you crazy as it randomly picks up debris. The Polaris will generally not clean your steps. You will need to brush the steps periodically so that the debris can settle onto the floor where the Polaris can get it during its next cycle. Also, check the bag to make sure that it is securely sealed and has no holes. Otherwise, debris will continuously return to the pool after the unit has picked it up.
How do Tropical Fish Liquid Solar Blankets Work?
Liquid Solar Blankets feature LiquidHeatTM,
a biodegradable, non-toxic product. LiquidHeatTM floats to the surface
of the pool forming a pool friendly cover which acts as an evaporation
inhibitor. Your TURBOTM will reduce water evaporation by up to 50%
and evaporation accounts for 90% of heat loss from a pool. You will notice
increased heat retention in your swimming pool. It will get warmer quicker and
stay warmer longer. In a non-heated pool your heat loss at night will be
greatly reduced. In a heated pool your energy costs will drop dramatically. The
Solar Fish works best by adjusting your swimming pool jets down.
LiquidHeatTM is biodegradable, environmentally safe, non-toxic and
totally harmless to all swimmers and harmless to pets drinking from the pool
surface. Your Solar Fish will not affect the chemical balance ( PH, chlorine,
alkalinity ) of the pool. It will not affect the plumbing or filtration and
will not damage vinyl liners or any other pool surfaces in any way.
Try the new TURBOTM Fish which uses a computerized pump to feed out
the LiquidHeatTM over the course of a month. For more information,
visit www.sunsolar.com.
Top 10
Reasons to use Tropical Solar Fish
1.
Guests will say,
“Hey look, there’s a fish in your pool.”
2.
You can invite your
mob friends over to “swim with the fishes.”
3.
You can make up new
fish jokes
4.
You don’t have
to feed it.
5.
You can play the music
from “Jaws” while people are swimming.
6.
You can pretend you
are in the
7.
You can tell your
guests you have no idea how it got there.
8.
It has a computer, but
not the internet.
9.
You don’t have
the hassle of the plastic solar blanket.
10. It keeps your pool warm!
Watercrafters can ship your old cover back to Loop-Loc for a FREE repair estimate. (Shipping charges do apply.) If it's too fargone to repair, then Loop-Loc can use it as a template to make a replacement cover that will line up with your existing anchors to minimize reinstallation charges!
Just remove the springs from your old cover and deliver it to our Gaithersburg Store. Or call us to arrange pickup when we're in your area. Covers should be sent out by August 15 to make sure they're back in time for closing season.
If you have an older Loop-Loc Cover and know your original order number, Loop-Loc can reproduce your cover for you without ever seeing your old cover. Call us with that order number and will arrange an estimate. Call 301-948-8111x108 for details.
PRE-SEASON: In the spring, Watercrafters gets many calls from homeowners that take off their winter covers only to find that the pool has lost a significant amount of water. The usual cause for this is leak in the cover. Oftentimes, the cover will get a small hole in it. When you pump off the top of the cover, you may be pumping water from underneath the cover at the same time. To find out for sure, follow these steps:
IN-SEASON: During the heat of the summer, your pool may need refilling more often than you think it should. To confirm whether you are experiencing evaporation or a leak, do a “Bucket Test” by following these steps:
Once you determine that you do in fact have a leak, next you will want to find out if it is in the equipment or the pool shell.