Care of the swimming pool The perfect care and maintenance of a swimming pool depends on two key elements: the water and the PVC membrane. In this way, by maintaining periodical control of the state of both of these, you may enjoy your swimming pool for many years without the need to make any great effort. We shall now proceed to provide you with useful advice regarding the most efficient systems for the purpose of cleaning and quality control of the water and the correct checking and maintenance of the Cefil PVC membranes.
1 The Water 1.1. Basic notions regarding water and its treatment 1.1.1. Water Chemestry Maintaining a suitable balance of water is the most important factor in increasing the duration and appearance of the lining to the maximum possible extent. Suitable levels of ph enable the chemical products to carry out their cleaning and disinfecting function. For example, the chlorine needs a certain level of ph to be able to remove bacteria and algae. For this reason, it is very important to use a suitable technique to carry out checks on the water. We recommend that you consult a swimming pool supplier regarding test equipment and the procedures required to use it. Likewise, please read and follow the written manufacturer s instructions for the chemical product carefully. The following table shows the range of basic chemical parameters for the water: 4
Frequency of Factor Range Tests in Function Season Enables other ph 7,2-7,6 Daily chemical products to act suitably Residue of free chlorine 1,0-1,5/ppm* Daily Removes bacteria Capacity of the swimming pool Total alkalinity 60 - l25/ppm* Weekly to counteract changes in levels of ph Cyanic acid 30~75/ppm* Monthly Stabilizes the chemical in the water To prevent conditions Hardness of the calcium 175~250/ppm* Monthly in the swimming pool systems *ppm = parts per million APPLICATION OF CHLORINE (1) : We shall now provide you with some recommendations for the use and application of chlorine as a cleaning and disinfecting system: Never allow the chlorine to come into contact with the lining prior to being completely dissolved. To this end, you must dissolve the granular chlorine or the chlorine in tablet 1.1.2. Levels of PH 1.1.3. Chlorine form in a bucket of water and, as Suitable levels of ph do not only enable other chemical products to carry out their function, but also prevent damage to the PVC membrane, both due to excess and to defect. Thus, with a lower ph of 7.0, they may grow and develop unattractive wrinkles on the lining. Conversely, a high ph level will greatly speed up the ageing process of the membrane and shorten the lifespan of the lining. As a general rule, the range of chlorine circulation required to remove bacteria from the water varies from between 1.0 and 1.5 ppm. Above this range, the high concentrations of chlorine affect the lining, by bleaching it and speeding up its ageing process. Below this range, the chlorine does not remove bacteria, giving rise to unhealthy conditions and the possible formation of stains on the membrane. in the case of liquid chlorine, pour it into different areas of the swimming pool, stirring, spreading and making it circulate immediately. 5
1.1.4. Water conductance: Cleaning and Protection Another important factor in shortening the lifespan of a swimming pool lining is the dirt and residue in the water conductance. DO NOT USE PADS OR ABRASIVE CLEANING AGENTS FOR THE LINING. LIKEWISE, DO NOT USE PETROL, KEROSENE OR OTHER PRODUCTS DERIVING FROM OIL, AS THEY MAY GIVE RISE TO RAPID WEAR OF THE LINING One of the most common cases is In order to protect the water conductance, use a vinyl protective liquid without alcohol and not oil-based. This product, when applied to a clean vinyl surface, will reduce the formation of dirt and wear brought about by ultraviolet rays. Ensure that you contact a swimming pool supplier. Select a product that is especially suitable for such purpose. Never allow the water level in the swimming pool to go below one foot (30cm) of water at the shallow end. If water pressure is removed from the lining, the latter may become wrinkled, producing at the very least an unattractive lining, and end up scratching the accessories or on the corners. the so-called bath ring caused by the accumulation of pollutants of air particles, together with the dirt from body oils and sun creams. Usually, the surface extraction line becomes blocked this dries and prematurely cracks the vinyl, especially on the drainage corner of the swimming pool. The solution to the bath ring is a simple and inexpensive one. Routinely clean the water conductance with a sponge (or a sponge with a cleaning agent that is recommended for vinyl) for the purpose of removing the formation of dirt. If dirt has accumulated, ensure that you only use vinyl cleaning agents recommended by your swimming pool supplier. DO NOT DRAIN THE SWIMMING POOL: FIRST CALL YOUR SWIMMING POOL SUPPLIER. 6
1.2. Common problems in water treatment. In this section, we provide you with practical and simple solutions for solving the most common problems that may arise in the cleaning and disinfecting of your swimming pool. APPLICATION OF CHLORINE (and 2): The tablets, granules or concentrated chemical products may bleach the lining and shorten its lifespan. You must take special care when inserting chlorine into gas, as the concentration is very high in such case. 1. Black stains or black algae appear; This is probably caused by a high level of ph, and therefore this must be reduced to 6.8 with clorhydric acid and maintained as such for 4 or 5 days. During this period, you must provide the usual dosages of chlorine and filtration. After a period of time has elapsed, you must once again raise the level of ph with a booster (crystal carbonate). 2. The swimming pool water has a greenish colour (but not immediately after chlorinization) This tonality in the water is due to an excess of acid in it, either resulting from a lack of chlorine or from daily inadequate filtration. You must check the ph level; if it proves to be excessively acidic, add a ph booster so as to return the ph to a suitable level of 7.2 7.6. If the chlorine test produces a low reading, you must hyperchlorinate using 250 g of chlorine per 10,000 litres of swimming pool water. Never mix chemical products with each other. You must add them to the swimming pool separately and stir them sufficiently before adding a second chemical product. 7
3. The swimming pool appears dark or cloudy: This problem is due to two reasons: the existence of a high level of ph or an inadequate filtration period and/or insufficient chlorine. Check the ph level and adjust it to 7.2 7.6. If correcting the ph level fails to clean the water within a period of I hour, you must TOTAL ALKALINITY. A low ph level over a certain period of time may damage the lining. This situation may arise when the swimming pool is covered for prolonged periods of time, resulting in an excessive amount of chlorine being produced that is not dissipated by using the swimming pool, and light from the sun, etc., and may occur during damp and hot summers. hyperchlorinate the water as in the previous section. Dark water may also be caused by inadequate filtration. We remind you that the filtering plant must be in operation for a minimum of 6-8 hours a day. 4. Low total or absent alkalinity when carrying out the test: Low total alkalinity must be adjusted before that of ph, as the swimming pool ph shall be affected by A1. Correcting the A1 using acid sodium carbonate will almost always correct the ph. If at some moment the lining should appear loose or develop wrinkles, check the ph level immediately and take the necessary precautions to INCREASE the HARDNESS OF THE CALCIUM and the 5. The swimming pool water takes on a brownish or reddish colour when its is chlorinated: This indicates that there is iron present in the water if the ph and chlorine levels are the correct ones. 6. The dirty water returns to the swimming pool: This is due to the fact that the filtering plant has not been washed with running 8
RECOMMENDATIONS You must periodically check the PH level of the swimming pool water. The most common problems are almost always due to three factors: inadequate PH level, incorrect filtration of water or insufficient use of chlorine. water for enough time. Ninety-nine per cent of problems with swimming pools arise from inadequate chlorinating or an incorrect ph level. If they are maintained at the correct level, and daily maintenance of the swimming pool is carried out, it is unlikely that any problem will arise. 7. The water in the swimming pool appears milky and/or greenish in colour when chlorine is added: Probably due to high ph or insufficient chlorine. Check the ph level and correct it where necessary. Check to see if the dosages of chlorine are the correct ones for the volume of water in the swimming pool; if it proves to be insufficient, hyperchlorinate in order increase the residue of the chlorine and then correct the dosage on a daily basis. 8. The ph readings and/or chlorine levels do not appear to be the correct ones and do not register: This is due to the fact that the reagents of the test equipment have been used up or have been subject to some type of wear. We recommend that as a general rule you renew them each year. We recommend that you renew the reagent test equipment every year. 9
2 General features of the PVC CEFIL membrane 10
TESTS CARRIED OUT Folding at low temperatures Resístance to traction at maximum load Lengthening breakage at maximum load Migration of plasticizer Mechanical resistance to percussion The PVC Cefil membranes are the best alternative within the options available for vinyl linings due to their proven resistance. Following numerous technical controls over and above those established under the UNE European Union standard, Cefil laminates stand out due to their resístance to traction, lengthening, plasticizer migration, accelerated artificial ageing, mechanical resistance, tears and thermal ageing. Their main qualities include: Low plasticizer migration Excellent stability at a wide range of temperatures Anti UV protection guarantees the useful life of the product Treatment of colour in order to prevent drastic modifications to it Fungicide treatment: incorporated into the formulation of our membranes so as to guarantee their effect throughout the useful life of the product. This adding is certified by the BIO- PRUF seal. Resístance to wear Heat conduct Thermal wear Variation in lengthening following accelerated artificial ageing Adherence between layers Absorption of water Extraction of water 11
3 Ten practical pieces of advice We shall now proceed to present a decalogue as to the correct care of the swimming pool. Or, in other words, the control of its key elements: the water and the PVC lining. I. General advice on the balance and 250 PPM. of water A. Total alkalinity of 60-125 PPM. E. Always maintain the chlorine residue while adjustments are being made. Do not check the ph level while a high alkalinity level is being adjusted. B. ph from 7,2 to 7,6. C. Chlorine residue of MINIMUM 1 PPM. D. Calcium hardness of between 175 II. The most common necessity of a swimming pool is to raise the ph level A low ph level must be especially avoided, as it may result in wrinkles 12
appearing on the lining. We recommend routinely stabilizing all swimming pools with vinyl lining using cyanic acid, and maintaining a minimum 25 PPM. III. Chemical products must never be mixed nor be added to the swimming pool at the same time Certain combinations of chemical products that individually have no effect may give rise to the bleaching of the lining if the concentration is allowed to remain high in the immediate area around the lining. Let the chemical product spread around the swimming pool by allowing the water to circulate before adding a second chemical product. Prior to this, dissolve all chemical products that may have been added to your swimming pool with the aim of preventing this concentration in a specific area. IV. Never close the swimming pool without having circulated water around it for several hours after having added the final chemical products. The liquid chlorine may even concentrate at the bottom and cause bleaching of the lining if it is not sufficiently mixed with the rest of the pool. Although there exist many suppliers of chemical products who do not consider there to be any danger, many experts declare themselves to be opposed to the use of trichloral granular chlorine in vinyl-lined swimming pools. For the sake of your own safety, do not use it. V. Do not place chlorine tablets in the skimmer basket. This gives rise to an excessively high concentration of chlorine in the area surrounding the skimmer basket. If your swimming pool is equipped with a main drainage system, the concentration seeks a lower level and a higher concentration may be formed. RECOMMENDATIONS Take great care with floating chlorinators. They may bleach a lining if they are allowed to settle in one place for a certain period of time.. The water conductance system must be cleaned weekly with a cleaning agent suitable for vinyl. This may be purchased from your local swimming pool supplier. Do not use cleaners, pads or hard bristle brushes or steel wool. NEVER TOTALLY REMOVE THE WATER FROM THE SWIMMING POOL. 13
VI. Regularly clean the swimming pool. VII. Regularly clean the filtration If you let the dirt and the residue settle and dry in the water conductance, it will then be almost impossible to remove them after they have become stuck by the sun, even for a short period. Dirt, oil and grit will get inside the vinyl, causing its hardness and cracking. Likewise, metals such as copper, iron and manganese may be present in water systems, especially in rural areas. If their presence is known or is envisaged, system. VIII. Be very careful when sweeping or vacuuming the swimming pool. Especially as the lining gets older. IX. Sep pets and foreign objects out of the swimming pool. X. In case of any tear or puncture in the swimming pool, this may be repaired without having to remove the water. request a metal remover from your swimming pool supplier that is deemed safe for vinyl-lined swimming pools. 14
Edicar Plásticos Láminas sintéticas EDICAR PLASTICOS, S.L. Polígono Industrial de Júndiz C/ Júndiz, 12, 01015 Vitoria-Gasteiz (España) Telf: +34 945 290 060; Fax: +34 945 290 348 email: customerservice1@edicarplasticos.com