Open 7 days

Maintaining Pools and Spas

Maintaining a pool or spa is a case of ‘little and often’. If they are regularly maintained it won’t take long to get them ready for the family to soak in during the long summer months.

PROPER WATER BALANCE
Balanced pool water is essential for the comfort of swimmers, chemical efficiency and for a long lasting pool. The table below shows you what these parameters should be and our team can show you the easy steps to achieving them.

IDEAL WATER BALANCE PARAMETERS
Free Chlorine:
• 2 – 3ppm at all times.

Total Alkalinity:
• 80 – 125ppm concrete, pebble & tiled.
• 125 – 175ppm fibreglass & vinyl.

pH Level:
• 7.4 – 7.6 for all pools except fibreglass.
• 7.2 – 7.4 for fibreglass pools.

Calcium Hardness:
• 200 – 225ppm concrete, pebble & tiled.
• 175 – 225ppm fibreglass & vinyl.

Stabiliser:
• 60ppm.

 

TAKING A WATER SAMPLE
1. Collect a new water sample bottle from your closest store.
2. Rinse the bottle with pool water. Don’t use tap water as this will affect the test results.
3. Immerse the bottle, submerging your arm to the depth of your elbow.
4. Hold the bottle upside down until completely full then turn it right side up whilst still submerged.
5. Seal the bottle tightly and bring it in to your local store. Don’t leave it in a hot car though as it will result in a false test result.

 

POOL CARE ROUTINE
Most people don’t want to spend time looking after the pool, they would rather spend the time in it. By having a simple routine the time taken to maintain a pool can be as little as a few minutes every day and an hour or so on weekends.

Daily:
• Add the correct amount of chlorine or sanitizer to the water either manually or automatically.
• Clean the skimmer baskets, remove floating leaves and any large accumulations of debri on the bottom of the pool.
• Check the water level is at the correct level (middle of the skimmer mouth opening).

Weekly:
• Clean the pump basket and backwash the filter if necessary.
• Vacuum the pool and clean the tiles at the water line.
• Ensure that there is enough chlorine in the tank if you have an automatic feeder.
• Take a water sample to bring in to your nearest Better Pets and Gardens store for testing.  We will help you to ensure that your water is balanced for the next week.

 

BETTER TIP!
Take a sample of pool water to your local Better Pets and Gardens store for testing. We will print a personalised program which will make the necessary water balance adjustments so that your water is crystal clear.

 

CLEANING AROUND THE POOL
It’s easy to forget that the algae that grows in the pool actually comes from the garden and paths that surround it. Cut back greenery from the edge of pools and paths as this will reduce the growth of algae which harbours the spores and also causes paths to become slippery.

To clean the paths, use a mix of one part liquid chlorine to ten parts water. Apply with a broom, leave it for 10 minutes and then wash it off. Use protective clothing and boots and be careful when using this around garden beds.

 

A FEW SIMPLE RULES TO SPA CARE
• Keep the temperature to between 35 to 38°C so that the spa is comfortable, efficient and uses fewer chemicals.
• Change water every three to four months or replace about one-third of the volume of the water every three to four weeks.
• It’s best to test the water with a simple home kit before each use. Undertake a full water test at least once a week and more often when used heavily.
• Allow one hour before using the spa after adding chemicals to the water.
• After heavy use, the water should be shock dosed with chlorine or bromine weekly. Be sure to check the level again before use.
• If the spa is not being used, add sanitiser every day to prevent contamination.
• Clean the filter regularly and empty hair and lint from the pump as often as required.

 

BETTER TIP: Never mix chemicals and never add water to chemicals. Only add chemicals to water.

Children must be supervised at all times when in or around a spa or pool.