THE ULTIMATE POOL MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Transcription

1

2 THE ULTIMATE POOL MAINTENANCE MANUAL

3 This page intentionally left blank.

4 THE ULTIMATE POOL MAINTENANCE MANUAL SPAS, POOLS, HOT TUBS, ROCKSCAPES, AND OTHER WATER FEATURES Terry Tamminen SECOND EDITION McGraw-Hill New York San Francisco Washington, D.C. Auckland Bogotá Caracas Lisbon London Madrid Mexico City Milan Montreal New Delhi San Juan Singapore Sydney Tokyo Toronto

5 Copyright 2001, 1996 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher The material in this ebook also appears in the print version of this title: All trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than put a trademark symbol after every occurrence of a trademarked name, we use names in an editorial fashion only, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. Where such designations appear in this book, they have been printed with initial caps. McGraw-Hill ebooks are available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions, or for use in corporate training programs. For more information, please contact George Hoare, Special Sales, at george_hoare@mcgraw-hill.com or (212) TERMS OF USE This is a copyrighted work and The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ( McGraw-Hill ) and its licensors reserve all rights in and to the work. Use of this work is subject to these terms. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976 and the right to store and retrieve one copy of the work, you may not decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, reproduce, modify, create derivative works based upon, transmit, distribute, disseminate, sell, publish or sublicense the work or any part of it without McGraw-Hill s prior consent. You may use the work for your own noncommercial and personal use; any other use of the work is strictly prohibited. Your right to use the work may be terminated if you fail to comply with these terms. THE WORK IS PROVIDED AS IS. McGRAW-HILL AND ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO GUAR- ANTEES OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR COMPLETENESS OF OR RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM USING THE WORK, INCLUDING ANY INFORMA- TION THAT CAN BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE WORK VIA HYPERLINK OR OTHERWISE, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. McGraw-Hill and its licensors do not warrant or guarantee that the functions contained in the work will meet your requirements or that its operation will be uninterrupted or error free. Neither McGraw-Hill nor its licensors shall be liable to you or anyone else for any inaccuracy, error or omission, regardless of cause, in the work or for any damages resulting therefrom. McGraw-Hill has no responsibility for the content of any information accessed through the work. Under no circumstances shall McGraw-Hill and/or its licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, consequential or similar damages that result from the use of or inability to use the work, even if any of them has been advised of the possibility of such damages. This limitation of liability shall apply to any claim or cause whatsoever whether such claim or cause arises in contract, tort or otherwise. DOI: /

6 Want to learn more?, We hope you enjoy this McGraw-Hill ebook! If you d like more information about this book, its author, or related books and websites, please click here.

7 For my wonderful wife Karen thanks for jumping into the deep end of every pool with me.

8 This page intentionally left blank.

9 For more information about this title, click here. CONTENTS Acknowledgments Foreword Introduction xix xxi xxiii Chapter 1 The Pool and Spa 1 Overview 1 Capacity Calculations 2 Square or Rectangular 2 Circular 4 Kidney or Irregular Shapes 6 Parts per Million (ppm) 7 Types of Pools and Spas 8 Concrete and Plaster 8 Vinyl-Lined 10 Fiberglass 15 Inflatable and Other Above-Ground Pools 15 Wood 20 Pool and Spa Design and Construction 20 Plans and Permits 21 Excavation 21 Plumbing 30 Steel 30 Electrical 31 Gunite 31 Tile 31 Rock, Brick, or Stone 33 Coping, Decks, and Expansion Joints 34 Equipment Set 35 vii Copyright 2001, 1996 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click Here for Terms of Use.

10 viii CONTENTS Cleanup 35 Plaster 36 Start-up 37 Chapter 2 Basic Plumbing Systems 39 Skimmers 39 Main Drains 43 General Plumbing Guidelines 45 PVC Plumbing 49 Plumbing Methods 52 Copper Plumbing 55 Plumbing Methods 55 Galvanized Plumbing 59 Miscellaneous Plumbing 59 Sizing of Plumbing 61 Chapter 3 Advanced Plumbing Systems 63 Manual Three-Port Valves 63 Operation 63 Construction 65 Maintenance and Repair 66 Motorized/Automated Three-Port Valve Systems 68 Operation 69 Construction 69 Maintenance and Repair 69 Reverse Flow and Heater Plumbing 71 Unions 72 Gate and Ball Valves 73 Check Valves 74 Solar Heating Systems 77 Types of Solar Heating Systems 78 Plumbing 79 To Solar or Not to Solar? 80 Installation 83 Maintenance and Repair 85 Water Level Controls 86

11 CONTENTS ix Chapter 4 Pumps and Motors 93 Overview 93 Strainer Pot and Basket 96 Volute 97 Impeller 98 Seal Plate and Adapter Bracket 100 Shaft and Shaft Extender 101 Seal 102 Motor 103 Types 104 Voltage 105 Housing Design 105 Ratings 106 Nameplate 106 Horsepower and Hydraulics Equals Sizing 108 Hydraulics 109 Sizing 118 Maintenance and Repairs 119 Pump and Motor Health Checklist 119 Strainer Pots 120 Gaskets and O-Rings 121 Changing a Seal 122 Pump and/or Motor Removal and Reinstallation 135 New Installation 137 Replacing a Pump or Motor 137 Troubleshooting Motors 141 Priming the Pump 143 T-Handles 147 Reverse Flow Problems 147 Models and Makes 149 C Frame 149 Square Flange 150 Uniseal Frame 150 Motor Characteristics 150 End Bell 150 Full-Rated or Up-Rated 150

12 x CONTENTS Two-Speed 151 Energy Efficient 151 Motor Covers 151 Submersible Pumps and Motors 151 High-Volume Pump-Out Units 151 Low-Volume Pumps and Motors 152 Cost of Operation 152 Booster Pumps and Motors for Spas 153 Something Better 153 Chapter 5 Filters 155 Types 155 Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filters 155 Sand Filters 159 Cartridge Filters 162 Makes and Models 164 Sizing and Selection 164 Backwash Valves 169 Backwash Hoses 172 Pressure Gauges and Air Relief Valves 173 Sight Glasses 174 Repair and Maintenance 175 Installation 175 Filter Cleaning and Media Replacement 178 Leaks 188 Chapter 6 Heaters 193 Gas-Fueled Heaters 193 The Millivolt or Standing Pilot Heater 197 The Control Circuit 198 Natural versus Propane Gas 205 Electric-Fueled Heaters 207 Solar-Fueled Heaters 208 Heat Pumps 211 Oil-Fueled Heaters 213 Makes and Models 213

13 CONTENTS xi Selection 215 Sizing 216 Cost of Operation 219 Installation, Repairs, and Maintenance 221 Installation 222 Terry s Troubleshooting Tips 237 Terry's Troubleshooting Checklist 239 Repairs 241 Preventive Maintenance 260 Spares Kit 260 A Reminder 262 Chapter 7 Additional Equipment 263 Time Clocks 263 Electromechanical Timers 263 Twist Timers 267 Electronic Timers 267 Repairs 268 Remote Controls 271 Air Switches 272 Troubleshooting 273 Wireless Remote Control 275 Flow Meters 277 Diving Boards, Slides, Ladders, and Rails 278 Diving Boards 278 Slides 282 Ladders and Rails 283 Safety Equipment 285 Signs 285 Toss Rings 289 Life Hooks 289 Thermometers 289 Safety Barriers 289 Automatic Pool Cleaners 291 Electric Robot 291 Boosterless Water Pressure Designs 292

14 xii CONTENTS Self-Cleaning Systems 292 Booster Pump Systems 293 Suction-Side Systems 304 To Buy or Not to Buy 305 Lighting 307 Standard 120/240-Volt Lighting 308 Low-Voltage Lights 316 Fiberoptics 316 Covers 317 Bubble Solar Covers 318 Foam 321 Sheet Vinyl 321 Electric Covers 322 Fiberglass Systems 324 Mesh Covers 325 Specialty Spa Covers 325 Custom Covers 330 Safety Standards 330 Accessories 332 Chapter 8 Water Chemistry 335 Introduction 336 Demand and Balance 336 Components of Water Chemistry 337 Sanitizers 338 ph 354 Total Alkalinity 356 Hardness 357 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 357 Cyanuric Acid 358 Weather 358 Algae 360 Forms of Algae 361 Algae Elimination Techniques 363 Common Water Problems and Cures 368 Cloudy Water 368 Colored Water 369 Corrosion of Light Fixtures, Rails, and Ladders 370

15 CONTENTS xiii Scale 370 Eye or Skin Irritation 370 Colored Hair, Nails, or Skin 371 Odors 371 Stains in Vinyl-Lined Pools 371 Spas 371 Water Testing 372 Test Methods 372 Chlorine 375 ph 377 Total Alkalinity 378 Hardness 379 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 379 Heavy Metals 379 Cyanuric Acid 380 Test Procedures 380 Langlier Index 382 Water Treatment 384 Liquids 384 Granulars 385 Tabs and Floaters 386 Mechanical Delivery Devices 386 Magnets 389 Chemical Safety 389 Chapter 9 Cleaning and Servicing 391 Tools 392 Telepoles 392 Leaf Rake 396 Wall Brush 396 Vacuum Head and Hose 396 Leaf Vacuum and Garden Hose 398 Tile Brush and Tile Soap 399 Test Kit and Thermometer 400 Spa Vacuum 401 Pumice Stones 401 Acid Spotter 402 Handy Tools 402

16 xiv CONTENTS Pool Cleaning Procedures 402 Deck and Cover Cleaning 403 Water Level 403 Surface Skimming 404 Tiles 404 Equipment Check 405 Vacuuming 406 Chemical Testing and Application 411 Brushing 412 Cleanup and Closeup 412 Spa and Water Feature Cleaning 413 Chapter 10 Special Procedures 415 Draining a Pool 415 Breaking-in New Plaster 418 Why Break-in Plaster? 418 Procedure Approval 419 Break-in Step by Step 420 Acid Break-in 427 Leak Repair 428 Leak Detection Made Easy: Four Tests 428 Skimmer Repair and Replacement 432 Patching and Repairing 439 Remodeling Techniques 451 Plastering and Replastering 452 Fiberglass Coatings 456 Inexpensive Pool Face Lifts: Paint 456 Expansion Joints 462 Acid Washing 463 Remodeling the Deck 472 Chapter 11 Spas, Hot Tubs, and Water Features 475 Spas 476 Spa Materials 476 Installation 481 Special Equipment 495

17 CONTENTS xv Repairs 510 Cleaning and Maintenance 512 Hot Tubs 514 Installation 516 Break-in 519 Repair 520 Cleaning and Maintenance 525 Water Features 527 Fountains 527 Koi Ponds 528 Rockscapes 535 Wading Pools 538 Waterfalls and the Vanishing Edge 538 Chapter 12 Commercial Pools 543 Types of Commercial Pools 544 Volume Calculations 545 Slope Calculations 545 Bather Loads 547 Bather Displacement 547 Commercial Equipment 548 Surge Chamber 548 Slurry Feeder 549 Filter 549 Gas Chlorinator 551 Chlorine Generators 553 High-Capacity Automatic Chlorine Feeders 553 The Commercial Equipment Room 554 Safety Equipment 555 Dehumidification of Indoor Commercial Pools 558 Operational Requirements 559 Health Issues 561 Chapter 13 Winterizing 563 Temperate Climates 564 Colder Climates 565

18 xvi CONTENTS Chapter 14 Basic Electricity 573 Electrical Terms 573 Electrical Theory 574 Electrical Panel 579 Circuit Breakers 580 Wiring 582 Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) 585 Switches 587 Relays 589 Safety 591 Testing 592 Chapter 15 The Toolbox 597 General Hand Tools 598 Special Tool Sets 599 Supplies 600 Cleaning Tools 601 Heater Repair Kit 602 Plumbing Parts 603 Notes on Tools and Supplies 603 Chapter Things Your Pool or Spa Can Do for Our Environment 609 Chemicals 609 Energy Conservation 610 Water Conservation 612 Recycle 613 Miscellaneous 614 Appendix A Facts and Formulas Summary 617 Appendix B Labor Reference Guide 627 Appendix C Typical Pool and Spa Health, Safety, and Building Codes 631

19 CONTENTS xvii Appendix D Meter Reading Gas, Electric, and Water 635 Glossary 639 Reference Sources and Websites 667 Index 673

20 This page intentionally left blank.