Do you have a question or concern regarding the operation of your pool?
Pool Pros wants to help you find the answer. Our staff is always glad to discuss your pool with you and can be reached at 606-528-3112.
We’ve compiled just a few of the many questions we receive from our customers in the categories listed below. Please read on and see if this information is helpful in your circumstances:
PUMP AND FILTER OPERATION
How long should I run the pump on my pool?
We recommend running at all times, however running your pump at 12 hours a day at the hottest part of the day during swimming season provides the optimal amount of pool filtration and circulation on a daily basis.
How often should I run my pool cleaner?
Up to two to four hours a day, but preferably only as needed to maintain the pool’s cleanliness. Constant operation will cause premature wear on the cleaner and the pool surfaces.
How often should I backwash my pool?
Once a week during swimming season, typically April thru September, and more frequently if the pool water seems cloudy or if an algae growth has started.
How can I prolong the effectiveness of the sand in my sand filter?
Use BioGuard Strip Kwik or Kleen It at the beginning, middle, and end of season.
Why should I chemically clean my filter?
To remove grease and oil buildup in the sand from suntan oil, makeup, etc., and extend the life of your sand.
How often should I change the sand in my filter?
For chlorine and mineral pools – every 3 to 4 years is recommended. A Biguanide pool’s sand should be changed every season.
CHEMICAL APPLICATION
What time of day is best to shock my pool?
In the evening or late afternoon, or after direct sunlight is off the pool.
How often should I add chemicals to my pool?
At a minimum, all pools operate optimally if an oxidizing chemical is added to the pool on a weekly basis. The specific product will vary based on the maintenance program being used.
Why test the pool water if it looks clean and clear?
Even if the water looks clean it could still be unhealthy, not properly sanitized, and out of pH balance. When out of balance, the water can become uncomfortable, and at times dangerous to swimmers.
Why should I “balance” my pool?
Proper water balance will extend the life of your liner and all other pool surfaces. Also, having proper water balance will make the pool more comfortable and safer, especially when you have high bather loads.
Why do I need calcium hardness in my pool?
Water naturally dissolves calcium hardness, and if there is not enough calcium already in the water it will try to pull it from the liner and make the liner brittle, or cause etching in gunite or plaster pools.
Why do I sometimes need to increase the alkalinity while lowering the pH of the water?
BioGuard Balance Pak 100 is a necessary pH buffer. It’s addition can raise pH beyond the ideal level. Your pH must then be balanced with the addition of BioGuard Lo’n Slo as needed.
What is Optimizer Plus and why is it needed?
Optimizer Plus is a once a year application that prevents algae (by suppressing it), makes your water softer, cleaner, and easier to maintain. It is not a required product but after trying it you will never go without it.
POOL PROBLEMS
Why does my pool get green on the sides?
This is the beginning stage of algae growth. To prevent this you will need to brush your pool more often, especially before you shock the pool, and maintain a higher chlorine residual level.
Why do my pool stairs turn brown?
Improper water chemistry has caused iron content in the pool water to no longer stay dissolved in the water and to stain the pool surfaces. This type of staining is removable with the proper chemicals and procedures.
Why do my eyes burn when I swim?
Improper chemical levels can cause skin irritation, rash, dry skin, or red burning eyes. Test your water for high or low pH and a high combined chlorine level.
Why does blonde hair turn green after swimming?
Contrary to popular belief, blonde hair that turns green after swimming is not usually due to chlorinating products. Green hair can be caused by unsequestered metals in the water (usually an indication of copper in the water). To prevent this always have your pool water checked professionally, and mention the problem so a proper remedy can be found.
What to do when my blonde hair turns green?
To remove the green tint from hair, rinse hair in lemon juice, or with a solution of one part vinegar and three parts water.
How does rain affect the pH level in a pool?
Rain pulls pollution from the air and can contaminate your pool water. In most cases rain will lower pH and lower the alkalinity level. In some cases a lower alkalinity level will lower pH levels as well. It is best to have your water professionally analyzed after any heavy rain fall.
Is is safe to let my dog swim in my pool?
In most cases dogs are comfortable in pool water, but a dog, depending on the size, can be a great source of contamination in the pool water. You should expect a much higher sanitizer demand for your pool in order to keep it clean and clear if you let your dog swim. It has been said that the residual germs and microbes of one dog in pool is equal to 40-50 humans.
What should I do to my pool water after a big party?
If you have noticed, the pool looks dull after many people have been in the water, thus you will want to add shock to the pool or superchlorinate that evening and test the water within a couple of days.
Is there anything I can do to keep frogs out of my pool?
While most frogs are repelled by the basic chlorine content of the pool water, sometimes they will continue to congregate in the pool. Unfortunately, there are NO other chemicals currently available to keep frogs out of a pool.
MINERAL SPRINGS SYSTEMS
If I have a “salt pool,” do I need to put anything else in my pool water?
YES! The saline content dissolved in your pool water is what gives the chlorine generator cell the ability to make sanitizing chlorine to keep your pool clear. However, you still may need to add alkalinity, calcium hardness, pH adjusters, and stain controls in order to maintain proper water balance for your pool.
Why use the BioGuard Mineral Springs Beginnings product instead of generic pool salt?
Mineral Springs Beginnings combines different chemical elements to balance you pool and extend the life out of your chlorine generator. The BioGuard Beginnins and Renewal products combine water softeners, algae preventatives, scale inhibitors, pH controllers, and chlorine stabilizers with a high grade pure salt to create an easy once-a-week program that keeps your pool clean and comfortable.
What is the difference between the two BioGuard Mineral Springs bags?
BioGuard Mineral Springs Beginnings is the first step in achieving proper water balance in a salt pool. BioGuard Mineral Springs Renewal is a weekly application to replenish chemical levels due to bather load, splash out, rain, and to adjust for pH increases caused by the generation of chlorine.
Pool Pros wants to help you find the answer. Our staff is always glad to discuss your pool with you and can be reached at 606-528-3112.
We’ve compiled just a few of the many questions we receive from our customers in the categories listed below. Please read on and see if this information is helpful in your circumstances:
PUMP AND FILTER OPERATION
How long should I run the pump on my pool?
We recommend running at all times, however running your pump at 12 hours a day at the hottest part of the day during swimming season provides the optimal amount of pool filtration and circulation on a daily basis.
How often should I run my pool cleaner?
Up to two to four hours a day, but preferably only as needed to maintain the pool’s cleanliness. Constant operation will cause premature wear on the cleaner and the pool surfaces.
How often should I backwash my pool?
Once a week during swimming season, typically April thru September, and more frequently if the pool water seems cloudy or if an algae growth has started.
How can I prolong the effectiveness of the sand in my sand filter?
Use BioGuard Strip Kwik or Kleen It at the beginning, middle, and end of season.
Why should I chemically clean my filter?
To remove grease and oil buildup in the sand from suntan oil, makeup, etc., and extend the life of your sand.
How often should I change the sand in my filter?
For chlorine and mineral pools – every 3 to 4 years is recommended. A Biguanide pool’s sand should be changed every season.
CHEMICAL APPLICATION
What time of day is best to shock my pool?
In the evening or late afternoon, or after direct sunlight is off the pool.
How often should I add chemicals to my pool?
At a minimum, all pools operate optimally if an oxidizing chemical is added to the pool on a weekly basis. The specific product will vary based on the maintenance program being used.
Why test the pool water if it looks clean and clear?
Even if the water looks clean it could still be unhealthy, not properly sanitized, and out of pH balance. When out of balance, the water can become uncomfortable, and at times dangerous to swimmers.
Why should I “balance” my pool?
Proper water balance will extend the life of your liner and all other pool surfaces. Also, having proper water balance will make the pool more comfortable and safer, especially when you have high bather loads.
Why do I need calcium hardness in my pool?
Water naturally dissolves calcium hardness, and if there is not enough calcium already in the water it will try to pull it from the liner and make the liner brittle, or cause etching in gunite or plaster pools.
Why do I sometimes need to increase the alkalinity while lowering the pH of the water?
BioGuard Balance Pak 100 is a necessary pH buffer. It’s addition can raise pH beyond the ideal level. Your pH must then be balanced with the addition of BioGuard Lo’n Slo as needed.
What is Optimizer Plus and why is it needed?
Optimizer Plus is a once a year application that prevents algae (by suppressing it), makes your water softer, cleaner, and easier to maintain. It is not a required product but after trying it you will never go without it.
POOL PROBLEMS
Why does my pool get green on the sides?
This is the beginning stage of algae growth. To prevent this you will need to brush your pool more often, especially before you shock the pool, and maintain a higher chlorine residual level.
Why do my pool stairs turn brown?
Improper water chemistry has caused iron content in the pool water to no longer stay dissolved in the water and to stain the pool surfaces. This type of staining is removable with the proper chemicals and procedures.
Why do my eyes burn when I swim?
Improper chemical levels can cause skin irritation, rash, dry skin, or red burning eyes. Test your water for high or low pH and a high combined chlorine level.
Why does blonde hair turn green after swimming?
Contrary to popular belief, blonde hair that turns green after swimming is not usually due to chlorinating products. Green hair can be caused by unsequestered metals in the water (usually an indication of copper in the water). To prevent this always have your pool water checked professionally, and mention the problem so a proper remedy can be found.
What to do when my blonde hair turns green?
To remove the green tint from hair, rinse hair in lemon juice, or with a solution of one part vinegar and three parts water.
How does rain affect the pH level in a pool?
Rain pulls pollution from the air and can contaminate your pool water. In most cases rain will lower pH and lower the alkalinity level. In some cases a lower alkalinity level will lower pH levels as well. It is best to have your water professionally analyzed after any heavy rain fall.
Is is safe to let my dog swim in my pool?
In most cases dogs are comfortable in pool water, but a dog, depending on the size, can be a great source of contamination in the pool water. You should expect a much higher sanitizer demand for your pool in order to keep it clean and clear if you let your dog swim. It has been said that the residual germs and microbes of one dog in pool is equal to 40-50 humans.
What should I do to my pool water after a big party?
If you have noticed, the pool looks dull after many people have been in the water, thus you will want to add shock to the pool or superchlorinate that evening and test the water within a couple of days.
Is there anything I can do to keep frogs out of my pool?
While most frogs are repelled by the basic chlorine content of the pool water, sometimes they will continue to congregate in the pool. Unfortunately, there are NO other chemicals currently available to keep frogs out of a pool.
MINERAL SPRINGS SYSTEMS
If I have a “salt pool,” do I need to put anything else in my pool water?
YES! The saline content dissolved in your pool water is what gives the chlorine generator cell the ability to make sanitizing chlorine to keep your pool clear. However, you still may need to add alkalinity, calcium hardness, pH adjusters, and stain controls in order to maintain proper water balance for your pool.
Why use the BioGuard Mineral Springs Beginnings product instead of generic pool salt?
Mineral Springs Beginnings combines different chemical elements to balance you pool and extend the life out of your chlorine generator. The BioGuard Beginnins and Renewal products combine water softeners, algae preventatives, scale inhibitors, pH controllers, and chlorine stabilizers with a high grade pure salt to create an easy once-a-week program that keeps your pool clean and comfortable.
What is the difference between the two BioGuard Mineral Springs bags?
BioGuard Mineral Springs Beginnings is the first step in achieving proper water balance in a salt pool. BioGuard Mineral Springs Renewal is a weekly application to replenish chemical levels due to bather load, splash out, rain, and to adjust for pH increases caused by the generation of chlorine.
