Cleaning your swimming pool for summer tips

Do not forget to clean the exterior of an above ground pool, as a little exterior maintenance is needed to keep the pool in good condition. If your pool has grass or weeds growing near it, be very careful when you use a weed eater. Try not to scratch the metal walls as that would cause rust to form and weaken the wall. Another cleaning tip for above ground pool owners is the care and storage of your ladder. Sitting out on a deck or behind the garage all winter the ladder will get dirty. A good blast with the garden house will remove that dirt. You don't want to put the steps in the pool if they are dirty. If there are any stains on the steps they most likely will fade overtime after being back n the chlorine water.

Spring is on it's way....

It's time to start thinking about that pool. We have a great supply of pool chemicals to get you started for summer with October just around the corner. Pop in or call us for free pool advice on getting your pool "clean and clear" for the long hot summer ahead.

POOL WINTERISING

INITIAL SETUP:

1. Brush Pool Walls and Vacuum Pool
2. Clean Skimmer and Pump Baskets
3. Backwash and Rinse Filter
4. Balance PH, Total Alkalinity and Water Hardness
5. Shock Dose with Chlorine or Check Salt Level and Clean Cell
6. Add Winterising Algacide Initial Dose - 1 Litre
7. Set Time Clock to Run 4-6 Hours per Day
8. Cover Pool if Available

FORTNIGHTLY MAINTENANCE:

1. Check Water Balance - Adjust as Required
2. Clean Baskets as Required

MONTHLY MAINTENANCE:

1. Backwash and Rinse Filter
2. Add Top Up Dose of Winteriser - 100 mls
3. Shock Dose with Chlorine - 3 Litres

Vacuum pool periodically as required, debris will hasten algae growth.

For any further advice, please feel free to contact us on 09 425 9100 or email; splashwater@xtra.co.nz.

Slip, Slop, Slap......Tips for Keeping Your Home Swimming Pool Sparkling Clean!

Slip, Slop, Slap........

With Christmas and New Year out of the way and everyone is geared up to look after pools; Water pumps are especially under pressure, so a timely reminder to regularly check that your pumps don't have air locks and that the pump doesn't run dry.

Here are a few tips for keeping your home swimming pool sparkling clean and healthy to use;

> Check pool chemicals at 2-3 times per week during the summer and at least once per week in the winter.

> Clean out skimmer basket(s) weekly, or as needed if conditions exist.

> Clean hair and lint pot in the pump every couple of weeks or as needed. (Turn off pump to do this).

> Wipe/clean tile line weekly. This will reduce build-up.

> Always keep chemicals stored out of direct sunlight. Keep them in a cool dry place. Do NOT store acid and chlorine right next to each other.

> Your pool should not need to be shocked on any regular basis if you have an ozone system. If you need to do it, do it at night. Use non-chorine based shock if you plan on swimming any time soon.

> Another way to shock your pool would be to run your pump for 24 hours using your ozone system. This works great! If you are on 24 hour circulation (2-speed or variable speed pump) than you should be just fine.

> If you start seeing any cracks around the perimeter of your pool between your deck and your tile, caulk it with a small bead of clear silicon. Do not allow the water to migrate from inside the pool in and under the deck through cracks at this joint.

> Keep vegetation, animals, chemicals (like fertilizers and ironite) away from and out of the pool. Nitrates from bird droppings and waste from animals and people are food for algae. Don't feed the algae!


For more information and helpful tips; contact our friendly staff on 09 425 9100 or email: splashwater@xtra.co.nz.