If you are thinking of having a pool installed at your Ottawa home, you are probably thinking of how to avoid the mistakes that will cause your pool to need repairs unnecessarily. If you already have a pool, you are probably figuring out how to maintain your pool properly. Having a trustworthy company specializing in pool repair in Ottawa is a great first step to not making mistakes.
Here are some things to be aware of.
Pets
Pet hair left in the pool will change the chemical levels and clog filters. The average dog can leave up to three times more concomitants than an adult. Be sure to use the water clarifiers after your dog has taken its dip so that the oils will break down appropriately and take care of other pollutants that may remain.
pH Levels
Check the acidity levels of your pool at least twice per week. This will ensure that the level stays at 7.0 or below so that the chlorine will be active enough to keep the pool safe for use.
Filters
Dirty filters will allow algae to grow in your pool. The accumulation will block the filters and can possibly damage the pump motor. Wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, soak the dirty filters in a mild solution of muriatic acid. After about 10 minutes or so, rinse and allow to air dry in an open area.
DE Filter
Your Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filter only needs to be cleaned when the pressure gauge rises to 8 or 10 from the clean. If you do it more often, you will only prevent it from doing its filtration job.
Chemicals
Add chemicals during the night or evening when the temperatures are more moderate. Adding chlorine during hot daytime hours will make it less effective. The chlorine forms ions that, when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet, convert to a gas, so you would be wasting chemicals because it will take twice as much to treat the pool properly.
Swimsuits
Swimwear is made of fabric that is designed to be worn in a pool. Spandex and nylon are lightweight and dry quickly. Cotton will release any body oils, detergent residue, and bacteria into the water, contaminating the pool. These materials also hold water more tightly and can weigh down, especially for an infant or small child.
Water Level
The water level should be in relation to the day’s evaporation rate and the number of swimmers. If you overfill the pool, the water will overwash the deck and edges and flow back, taking the dirt and debris from the deck. If the pool is underfilled, the pump keeps working and will filter air instead of water. This can cause damage to the filter pump.
Filter and Pump System
The filtration and pump system should run at least eight hours daily to ensure the water is completely cleared. The system does two things. It keeps the chemicals circulating correctly, and it removes the dirt. If these things don’t happen, algae will form more rapidly. Then the system will need to run all day and night until the pool is back in order. This can also overwork the pump and put it at risk of repairs.
Calcium
High levels of calcium will give your water a cloudy look. The recommended calcium hardness range is 200 to 275 ppm for plaster and concrete pools.
Visitors
Humans bring along germs, bacteria, and small bits of stuff from their daily lives. If you have just had guests, especially a fair number, it is a good idea to treat your pool after they have left. This will help prevent algae from growing. Also, be sure to run the filter for several hours.
Avoiding mistakes
To make sure you will avoid these mistakes, the best approach is to contact a pool professional. ML Pools has many years of experience in pool maintenance and pool repair in Ottawa, and our team is highly qualified to help you with all your pool needs.
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