Countrywide Pools Northam

Countrywide Pools Northam CountrywidePools

Looking After Your New Pool... 3 Table of Contents Sanitising Your Pool... 4 Chlorine... 4 Pool Water Testing... 5 Daily Testing... 5 Weekly Testing... 5 Pool Water Testing cont.... 6 Monthly Testing... 6 Periodic Testing... 6 Water Balance... 7 ph Level, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness... 8 Stabiliser, Total Dissolved Solids... 8 Safe Chemical Handling; Emptying your Pool... 8 Salt Water Chlorination... 10 The Importance of Filtration... 11 Sand Filter Cleaning and Maintenance... 12 Vacuum Cleaning Your Pool...... 13 2

CountrywidePools Looking After Your New Pool Swimming pools bring with them many benefits including many hours of fun for the whole family, a good form of exercise as well as adding value to your home. Your new pool will be both easy and a pleasure to own provided that you take some simple steps in looking after it. In order to get the best from your swimming pool it is important that you test your pool water on a regular basis. This is to ensure the water is chemically balanced, which is important in maintaining a bacteria free environment safe for you and your family to swim in. Countrywide Pools offer complimentary pool water testing, simply bring a 500mL sample of your pool water at your next visit and we will supply you with the information you need on what chemical your pool requires. This booklet contains the basic information about taking care of your new pool. The information along with our advice at Countrywide Pools will ensure you and your family enjoy many years of trouble-free enjoyment from your swimming pool. 3

Sanitising Your Pool Many people believe that, as long as your pool water is clear it is clean and requires no treatment. However, even crystal-clear water can harbour potentially harmful bacteria. Untreated or improperly treated pool water can be a health risk. Chemically balanced and sanitized water, on the other hand, will provide a healthy visually appealing environment for you and your family. Pool water is contaminated with algae and bacteria from various sources including wind, top-up water, swimmers etc. Controlling these influences is an ongoing requirement and involves some simple steps. Regular testing and balancing of your pool water is critical and takes very little time. CHLORINE Chlorine is the most commonly used water sanitiser in the world. It is a highly effective product and comes in the following forms: Calcium Hypochlorite (65% active granular chlorine) Sodium Hypochlorite (10-15% active liquid chlorine) Stabilised chlorine available in 2 forms: a) Dichlor - granular chlorine approx. 60% active b) Trichlor - slow dissolving tablets approx. 90% active Salt Water Chlorinators these units produce 100% active chlorine through the electrolysis of salt in the pool water. 4

Pool Water Testing It is critical to test your pool water regularly with a pool shop professional. At Countrywide Pools we offer our customers complimentary water testing and comprehensive advice on keeping your water balanced. It is important to make sure you use an uncontaminated bottle or container. We will supply you with a water sample bottle at the handover of your pool. Avoid using empty juice, cordial, sauce bottles etc. as these can contaminate the water to be tested. Daily Testing It is necessary to test the free available chlorine level of your pool water daily. This is the level of chlorine in the pool water that is ready to fight bacteria. We recommend conducting this test daily before re-dosing or when a heavy bather load is expected. Weekly Testing ph Level This test tells you whether your water is too acidic or too alkaline. To achieve the correct balance, we recommend testing the ph weekly during the swimming season. The control of the ph helps maximize the efficiency of chlorine therefore minimizing the quantity of products you will need to use. Total Alkalinity This will test the quantity of alkaline materials in your water which help stabilize the ph. Conduct this test at the beginning of the swimming season, get the levels balanced and then test once a week. 5

Pool Water Testing cont. Monthly Testing Stabiliser This is the component that extends the effective life of chlorine in your pool water by protecting it from the sun s UV rays. The level of stabilizer in your pool water can determine how rapidly chlorine is used up. Calcium Hardness This test will tell you the amount of dissolved calcium components in your pool water. This is important for balanced pool water as high calcium levels can contribute to cloudy water and low levels can cause corrosion of the pool. Periodic Testing We recommend periodically testing your pool water for Total Chlorine. If you notice a chlorine odour, chloramines or combined chlorine may be to blame. The problem is in fact insufficient chlorine and a shock treatment will restore the water 6

Water Balance Your swimming pool is a water container and the water it contains should be suitable for both the swimmers and the container. The term water balance refers to the interaction between ph, total alkalinity (TA), calcium hardness and total dissolved solids (TDS). These factors work in conjunction with one another to provide sparkling clear water and protect the pool surface, tile grout and equipment from damage. The principles and benefits of water balance apply to both fresh water and salt water pools. Balanced water means that its chemical demands have been met. If the chemical levels are too low the water will aggressively seek the products it needs by attacking the pool surface and equipment. This can lead to severe corrosion. On the other hand, high chemical levels will precipitate from the water and form scale on the pool surface and within the equipment. Therefore, unbalanced water can lead to expensive damage your pool and may inhibit the sanitizing process. 7

Water Balance ph Level ph is a measure of how acidic or alkaline your pool water is. The ph scale ranges from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. Values below 7 are acidic and values above 7 are alkaline. With pool water, we are seeking a ph balance suitable for the pool users, the pool itself and the sanitiser or chlorinator. Australian Standards 3633 defines the operating range as 7.0 to 7.8; however, 7.2 to 7.6 is ideal. Since the human tear has a ph of 7.4, the ph of the pool water should center on this value to prevent skin and eye irritation. Total Alkalinity (TA) Total Alkalinity refers to the measure of bicarbonates, carbonates and hydroxides in your pool water. The recommended range is 60 to 200 parts per million (ppm) according to Australian Standard 3633. The ideal TA level is dependent on calcium hardness, ph, the type of pool surface and the type of sanitiser. It is essential not to confuse the TA with ph. TA is the quantity of alkaline materials in the pool which help to stabilize the ph. If the TA level is too low, there will be rapid changes in the ph. Low TA is frequently associated with coloured water, stains, etching plaster and accelerated signs of corrosion. Calcium Hardness Calcium hardness is a measurement of dissolved calcium in the water. Low calcium hardness can be very damaging because it increases the aggressiveness of the water. This can result in etching of the cement based pool surface or causing the tile grout to dissolve. The desired range is 80 to 500 ppm according to Australian Standards 3633. A reputable pool company will provide you with the specific requirements for your pool finish, water supply and equipment at the handover. Stabiliser Ultra-violet light attacks chlorine. To stabilize your pool water you will need to add Cyanuric Acid. This chemical reduces the amount of chlorine destroyed by sun light, acting as a sunscreen for the chlorine. For both health and financial reasons it is important to overcome this effect as much as possible and so keeping the water stabilised is strongly recommended. To initially stabilize the water in your new pool, Cyanuric Acid should be added to achieve a recommended level of 30 to 50 ppm. Stabiliser is lost through splash-out and backwashing of the filter therefore will need to be replaced regularly. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Total Dissolved Solids or TDS are the soluble salts and organic matter dissolved in the water. The most common soluble salts in swimming pools are sodium and calcium chlorides and bicarbonates. They originate from the water supply and chemicals added during treatment. Excessive levels can cause scale to form on the walls of the pool and pipes as well as corrosion of the metal fittings. It can also make it increasingly difficult to clarify the pool water. 8

Water Balance Safe Chemical Handling Never mix chemicals! This could lead to a violent reaction or explosion, as well as the production of toxic fumes. Even different chlorine can react violently when mixed together. It is recommended that you use a different bucket for diluting different chemicals. When transporting chemicals in your vehicle, do so in a manner that prevents them from mixing in the event of a spillage or accident. Chemicals should be stored in this way also; that is so that accidental breakage or leakage does not cause the chemicals to mix with each other or with other stored substances. Emptying Your Pool As a general rule, swimming pools should not require emptying. If you think that your pool needs to be emptied for any reason, please consult with one of our team at Countrywide Pools before doing so. Emptying your pool without prior consultation with a pool professional may lead to expensive remedial action and quite often the problem can be treated without emptying the pool. As well as causing a costly problem for yourself, emptying your pool can also void warranty. CountrywidePools 9

Salt Water Chlorination The process of salt chlorination for domestic swimming pools has achieved remarkable growth in Australia over the past decade. Common everyday salt, or Sodium Chloride, is added to the pool water to achieve a level between 0.4% and 0.7%. Sea water is 3.6% salt concentration, therefore the pool water becomes 1/6 as strong as sea water. This mild salt solution is passed through a cell of platinum and titanium electrodes. This is inserted beside the filter in the return to the pool piping, to which is attached to a power supply of approximately 7.5 volts. The cell uses electrolysis to form primarily Sodium Hypochlorite, commonly termed as liquid chlorine. Any domestic pool can be converted to a mild salt chlorination process. Contrary to some suggestions, the mild salt solution does not corrode the filtration equipment and other metals in contact with the water. For details on correct operation of your selected chlorinator, please refer to the Operator Manual. 10

The Importance of Filtration The removal of dirt and suspended matter by filtration reduces the extra load on the chlorine to get the pool water clean. This automatically enhances the kill-power of the chlorine to effectively combat algae and bacteria. Filtration is a physical process and should not be confused with disinfecting. It involves the pumping of the pool water through the filter medium which may be either sand, diatomaceous earth or a cartridge. The capacity of the pump and filter should be large enough to turn over the entire volume of the pool water within 5 to 6 hours to maintain water clarity. Debris such as twigs, leaves and stones should be removed with a leaf scoop or by the use of a good quality automatic pool cleaner. It is important to run your filtration system for 6 to 8 hours per day every day, depending on the size of the system installed. In addition the filter should be running whilst the pool is in use and for a short time after to remove body oil from the pool water and add some chlorine in the case of an automatic salt chlorinator. While filtration systems may differ in regards to filter type, they all have the same basic features: A skimmer box into which the inflow carries surface debris such as leaves, oils etc. into the start of the filtration system. An initial leaf basket in the skimmer box to trap leaves and large debris before it is sucked through the pump. A secondary basket in the hair and lint pot in front of the pump. A circulating pump. A filter which physically removes solids from the water. Pipework through which the clean water returns to the pool. Please Note: To prevent debris inhibiting water flow and causing pump starvation all baskets need to be cleaned regularly. All filtration relies on removing solid matter from the water as it is pumped through the filtration medium. There are three different types of medium currently being used: Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Sand Cartridge All three types have high flow characteristics and are highly efficient, however they all require cleaning to remove the entrapped solids. Failure to clean your filter as required will result in reduced filtration flow. It can also cause an increase in the pressure within the filter tank which can potentially reduce the life of the unit. Regular cleaning, as indicated by the pressure gauge, is therefore essential. Cleaning methods will depend upon the filter type. Diatomaceous Earth and Sand filters can be backwashed. Cartridge filters require hosing down and soaking in a cleaning fluid. 11

Sand Filter Cleaning and Maintenance Normal operation of the sand filter requires the Control Valve Handle to be in the FILTER position. Cleaning Your Sand Filter 1. Turn the pump OFF. 2. Move the control valve handle to BACKWASH. 3. Turn the pump ON. The water will discharge through the backwash/waste line. 4. When the site glass is clear turn the pump OFF. 5. Move the control valve handle to RINSE. 6. Turn the pump ON. The water will eventually run clear. 7. Wait until the water runs clear and then turn the pump OFF. 8. Turn the control valve handle to FILTER. 9. Turn the pump ON. Your sand filter is now clean and ready to use. 12

Vacuum Cleaning Your Pool 1. Turn the pump OFF. 2. Fit the vacuum plate into the skimmer box. 3. Connect vacuum brush or foot to vacuum pole. 4. Connect the vacuum hose to the head and lower into the pool at the end closest to the skimmer box. 5. Prime the hose by pushing it into the pool water vertically to allow for the discharge of air. 6. When all of the air is out of the hose, connect it to the skimmer vacuum lid connection. 7. Turn the pump ON. Vacuum the pool clean making sure that the skimmer box does not fill with debris, leaves etc. 8. Do not lift the vacuum head out of the water when the pump is running. This will cause the hose to lose prime and the pump will not operate correctly. 9. When you have finished vacuuming, always do a BACKWASH to remove all of the dirt from the filter. This will ensure more efficient operation during the life of the filter. 13

Countrywide Pools Northam Countrywide Pools is a family business and we pride ourselves on our high standard of customer service and attention to detail. We can provide you with our professional advice and quality pool products well after the installation process is complete. We offer complimentary pool water testing with comprehensive advice on products and ongoing care for your pool. CountrywidePools Contact Us Our team are always available to assist you with any queries you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email. We look forward to you visiting us in store! 333 Fitzgerald Street NORTHAM WA 6401 Phone: (08) 9622 5571 Mobile: 0407 957 874 Fax: (08) 9622 5580 Email: service@countrywidepools.com.au www.countrywidepools.com.au