Haze or cloudy water is caused by an accumulation of contaminants in the water such as bacteria, algae, body oils, lotions and minerals. Two of the major factors of haze or cloudy water are causes of not enough filtration and improper chemical balance. The pump and filter should run at least 8-12 hours a day. If the weather is bad or if it’s hot and humid you should run the filter more often. To determine if the haze is caused by a chemical imbalance you can test the water with your test strips or you can bring in a water sample.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY SAND FILTER?
It’s recommended to clean your filter twice a season, once in the middle of summer and again at time of closing.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY SAND FILTER?
1. Backwash filter until the sight glass shows clear water.
2. Remove the pump lid and add one bottle of filter cleaner.
3. Backwash until the filter cleaner dye is visible in the sight glass.
4. Place multiport on closed position and allow it to soak for at least 8 hours.
5. Pour pH Increaser or Total Alkalinity Increaser to the ground where your backwash hose discharges to neutralize the acid.
6. Backwash the filter until the sight glass runs clear.
HOW DO I VACUUM MY POOL?
1. Connect the telescopic pole to the vacuum head.
2. Attach the rotating end of the vacuum hose to the vacuum head.
3. Place the vacuum head into the pool holding onto the pole and the other end of the hose.
4. Hold the hose over your return jet until the hose is filled with water. You will see lots of air bubbles and the vacuum will sink to the floor.
5. Once the hose is filled, keep it under water, bring it to the skimmer and attach the hose to the skim-vac which sits on top of the skimmer basket or directly into the skimmer. Once the hose is connected you should have suction and are able to begin vacuuming. After you are finished vacuuming you will need to backwash the sand filter.
HOW DO I BACKWASH MY SAND FILTER?
From filter position you will turn off power and move the multi-port handle to backwash and turn power on. Leave it on backwash for 2-3 minutes or until the sight glass runs clear. Turn power off then move handle to rinse and turn power back on again. Rinse for approx 30 seconds and turn power off. Put the multi-port handle back on filter and turn power back on.
WHAT CAUSES ALGAE TO GROW IN MY POOL?
Like haze and cloudy water, algae is caused due to poor circulation, poor filtration, improper chemical balance and poor housekeeping. To treat algae you should up your filtration time to 24 hours, vacuum and wall brush thoroughly and test the water to make sure all your chemicals are properly balanced. If none of the above are not getting rid of the algae you want to consider chemically cleaning the filter.
HOW DO I FIND MY POOLS VOLUME?
First you want to find the average depth of the pool. Average depth is determined by taking the depth exactly in the middle of the shallow and deep end. Ex. The shallow end is 3 feet deep and the deep end is 8 feet deep. The average depth is 5.5 feet. Once you know the average depth of the pool you can easily figure out your pools volume by using this formula:
For Rectangle pools: Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.5
For Circular pools: Diameter x Diameter x Average Depth x 5.9
For Oval pools: Maximum Length x Maximum Width x Average Depth x 5.9
For Free Form pools: Surface (sq. ft.) x Average Depth x 7.5
You will find that most chemicals are measured for doses of 5,000 gallons or 10,000 gallons. If you find that your pool volume is in-between these two measurements you can round to the closes 5,000. Ex. A 16’ x 32’ in-ground with a shallow depth of 3’ and the deep end depth is 8’ the pool volume is 21,120. Using that number to measure out chemicals would be a little more difficult than using 20,000 gallons.
WHEN I AM TESTING FOR MY CHEMICALS, WHAT RANGE SHOULD THEY BE IN?
For your convenience, you can bring your water sample to our store to have our professionally trained staff test your water and give you recommendations on what chemicals you need to balance your water. The following are recommended ranges for Alkalinity, PH and Calcium Hardness:
TOTAL ALKALINITY:
Baquacil: 80-150ppm for the pool and 80-120ppm for the spa
Chlorine/Bromine 100-120ppm
pH:
Baquacil: 7.2-7.8ppm for the pool and the spa
Chlorine/Bromine 7.2-7.6ppm
CALCIUM HARDNESS:
Baquacil: 180-250ppm for vinyl pools, 200-275 for plaster pools and 200-400ppm for spas
Chlorine/Bromine: 200-500 ppm
Technicians, Employees and Certifications
Clearwater certifies and educates staff in the newest technology in pool and spa service and support.
Terry Mark, Owner/Operator, CPO Certified, Techniseal Certified, Certified Paver Installer, Certified Service Technician
Jeremiah Stone, Certified Paver Installer, Techniseal Certified
Steven Marshall, CPO Certified
Mandi Gunseth, CPO Certified
Tannah Fletcher
Call us at 603-357-5874 or visit our store (see map)!
