Troubleshooting

Chemicals 101

Pool Maintenance

Proper maintenance of your pool is essential to its longevity.
We have outlined many of the aspects of your pool you should be familiar with, and know how to manipulate. Additionally we have included some Swimming Pool Problems and Solutions, and information about Pool Chemicals you may be using.

Filtration System:

• Run filter for 5 hours per day in the spring. When water temperature reaches 70 degrees, run filter for 8 hours, during the hottest part of the day.
• Use 6lbs of DE when you initially start the filtration system. Each time you backwash add another 6lbs of DE to filter. ADD DE TO SKIMMER ONLY!!
  DE coats the vertical grids on the inside of the filter to strain bacteria, small particles, etc.

Multiport Valve:

1. Filter: Operates 99% of the time in this position
2. Waste: Used to lower water level or to vacuum heavy debris out of pool
3. Closed: Winter use or when filter is below pool level and pump basket needs to be cleaned
4. Backwash: Procedure explained below about Backwash
5. Recirculate: Bypasses filter, used for circulating chemicals when filter is inoperable or when filter is drained for winter
6. Rinse: Procedure explained below

Never turn multiport when filter is running, and always turn in a clockwise direction.

Pump:

1. To prime pump: fill with water, put lid on tightly, and start filtration system.

Automatic Chlorinator: (not on pools with a salt generator)

1. Use tablets or sticks. Set control at 4 and adjust as necessary.
2. Add approximately 6 tablets/sticks per week. Do not fill chlorinator more than 2/3 and DO NOT over tighten the top.

Compool Valve:

1. Normal position (when handle to valve is facing pump basket) will circulate water from the skimmer(s) and main drains.
2. Valve handle can be turned with filter running to turn off skimmer or main drain line if needed.

Salt Generator: (optional)

1. Maintain salt reading at 3200ppm. If level is low broadcast salt to deep end of pool.
2. Adjust dial to ¾ for optimal chlorine output.
3. Granular chlorine may still be used if salt generator can not keep up with chlorine demand.
4. Pool water should be tested at the beginning of the season to assure salt reading and cyanuric acid level is in the correct range.
5. Always check salt reading after a heavy rain or bather load.
6. The cell should be soaked in acid at the end of every season.

Automatic Vacuum:

1. Run the automatic vacuum approximately 2-4 hours per day.
2. Keep the bag free of excessive amounts of debris. Too much debris in the bag will
   cause the unit to tip on its side, therefore not vacuuming properly.
3. DO NOT remove vacuum from pool when filtration system is running.
4. Keep the wall fitting screen free of debris.
5. The automatic vacuum is a maintainer of a relatively clean pool, DO NOT assume that
   it will clean a pool with a significant amount of leaves and dirt.
6. The automatic vacuum is not a play toy; please keep children from standing on unit.
   

Backwashing Filtration System:

1. Turn off power
2. DISCONNECT automatic vacuum from wall outlet
3. Roll out backwash hose
4. Turn multiport valve to backwash
5. Turn on power
6. Monitor sight glass and run until clear (approximately 1 minute)
7. Turn off power
8. Turn multiport valve to rinse
9. Turn power on for 5-10 seconds
10. Turn off power
11. Repeat steps 4 through 10 two more times
12. After 3rd time, turn multiport valve to filter
13. Turn on power
14. Add 6 orange scoops of DE powder to skimmer

NEVER RUN FILTER WITHOUT DE IN IT!!

Test Kit:

1. Fill test kit with water to marked line from 1 ft. below surface, away from returns.
2. Add 5 drops of phenol red into vial (red) to get PH reading.
   (Always add the phenol red solution before the OTO solution).
3. Add 5 drops of OTO into vial (yellow), invert to get immediate chlorine reading.
4. Chlorine should be tested every other day. PH once per week.

Pool Shock:

1. Use when your eyes see anything other than crystal clear or when tablets cannot keep up due to high temperatures, heavy rainfall or bather loads.
2. To raise the chlorine level from 0ppm to 3ppm it takes ______lbs of granular chlorine.
3. Add slowly to skimmer while filter is running. DO NOT broadcast over pool surface.
4. Always run filter for at least 2 hours after adding chlorine.

PH Up or Down:

1. Maintain balance of 7.2 – 7.8.
2. It takes ______lbs of PH Up or Down to change the reading by .2ppm. Broadcast over pool surface with filter running. DO NOT add to skimmer. Wait 24 hours to recheck.

Algaecide:

1. Inhibits the growth of new algae in pool.
2. Add 1 quart of 60% algaecide directly to water upon spring start up.
3. When water temperature rises to 70 degrees and above add ____ oz. each week on a regular basis to control algae growth.

Manually Vacuuming:

1. Place vac head on swivel end of vac hose and skim vac plate on other end.
2. Fill hose completely with water using the return flow from the filtration system.
3. Once water comes out of the end with the skim vac plate, place down on skimmer basket.
4. If more suction is needed turn main drain off (Jandy Valve).
5. Run filter until done vacuuming.
   
6. When finished turn off filter, remove skim vac plate and hose from skimmer, return the Jandy Valve to the normal position, and turn filter back on.

Lowering Water level:

1. Turn filter off.
2. Turn multiport to waste.
3. Turn filter on and drain until the water level is approximately at the halfway mark on the skimmer faceplate.
4. DO NOT ADD DE.

Pool Returns: (eyeballs)

1. The eyeball is adjustable, try to keep a small ripple on water in a circular direction to flow debris into the skimmer.
2. When vacuuming adjust the eyeball to point downward to increase visibility.

Scum Ring around Pool:

1. Use a soft sponge or cloth to scrub or wipe clean with a vinyl cleaner.
2. DO NOT use any harsh detergents or abrasive cleaners, it could scratch the liner.
   

IF UNSURE ABOUT ANY PROCEDURES, PLEASE CALL US
410-479-1447 or 410-819-8218

1. DO NOT MIX CHEMICALS IT MAY CAUSE AN EXPLOSION OR INJURY
2. KEEP LIDS TIGHT ON ALL CONTAINERS
3. DO NOT SMOKE WHILE HANDLING CHEMICALS
4. CLEAN UP ALL SPILLS PROMPTLY
5. DO NOT INHALE OBNOXIOUS FUMES
6. PLEASE BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS
7. ALWAYS KEEP THE RECOMMENDED CHLORINE READING OF 3PPM, MOST PROBLEMS WITH THE WATER CHEMISTRY CAN BE FIXED BY ADJUSTING YOUR CHLORINE READING
8. HAVE YOUR POOL WATER TESTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON TO MAKE SURE ALL PERIMETERS ARE CORRECT
9. POOL WATER WILL EVAPORATE APPROXIMATELY ¼” PER WEEK
10. KNOW THE TYPE OF SYSTEM YOU HAVE IN CASE YOU NEED TO CALL
    A. Filtration System _________________________
    B. Automatic Vacuum _________________________
    C. Heater (type) ____________________________
    D. Light ___________________________________
    E. Pool Size ________________________________
11. IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT A PROCEDURE, PLEASE CALL FIRST BEFORE YOU TRY TO DO IT

We've built over a thousand pools on the Eastern Shore and Delmarva Peninsula.