5 Keys to Basic Pool Care

The 5 essentials of pool maintenance described here will give you a basic understanding of how your pool functions. For a carefree swimming season, learn about the 5 keys and visit 21st Century Pools & Spas, your BioGuard® Authorized Dealer, any time you need assistance or expert advice. Pool care can be simple when you have a plan for routine maintenance and use the right products.

KEEP IN MIND ...
Each pool maintenance key is very important. Consider each key as a simple, preventive maintenance step.

CIRCULATION

Pool water must be circulated for maximum sanitizer effectiveness. The more your water is in motion, the harder it is for bacteria and algae to take hold. Debris is captured by your filter, too. The best time to circulate the water is during the day, for 10 hours or more.

FILTRATION

The filter is one of your most important pieces of equipment. It removes both visible debris and most microscopic matter. Generally, a filter should be backwashed (the removal of material trapped on or in the filter media) when the water pressure in the filter reaches 8 to 10 psi above normal. (Check manufacturer's guidelines.) Because backwashing does not remove oils and deeply embedded debris, every filter needs to be chemically cleaned regularly. 21st Century Pools & Spas, your BioGuard Dealer, can help you establish a filter maintenance program.

CLEANING

Some swimming pools have areas with little or no circulation. This is where algae and bacteria can begin to grow. At least once a week, the walls and floor should be brushed and vacuumed to remove debris that the filter misses. Brushing is a must, even if you use an automatic pool cleaner or retain a weekly service.

TESTING

Every pool has characteristics that must be regularly measured and adjusted. Most important are the pH and the level of active sanitizer. By testing these two factors at regular intervals, you'll understand how bather load, weather and product application affect the water. Test your pool water two or three times per week. Also, take a sample to 21st Century Pools & Spas, your BioGuard Dealer, when you open and close your pool, and every four to six weeks during the season. This will help you maintain proper water balance and greatly reduce the potential for problems.

CHEMISTRY

The last step in a total pool maintenance program is applying the right products to your pool water at the right time. This will help you:

Enjoy your pool!  For more on total pool care or for helpful tips on opening, closing, or vacation preparation click the hyperlinks.

6 Keys to Basic Spa Care

4. Draining and Refilling

Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa maintenance. Over time, the water absorbs and dissolves minerals, chemicals and other soluble material. 21st Century Pools & Spas can perform a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test to help determine if it's time to replace your water. High TDS can make the water look dull, become foamy, and develop an odor. How often you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it.

This simple formula can help:

Spa gallons ÷ Daily bathers ÷ 3 = Days between draining

Example: 300 gallons ÷ 2 daily bathers ÷ 3 = 50 days

Note: a bather is one person in the spa for 15-30 minutes.

5. Chemistry

There are two primary components that affect spa water quality: sanitizer (bromine or chlorine) residual and pH. When both are within their recommended ranges, your water is comfortable, protected and clear; sanitizers and "shock products" work efficiently; and spa surfaces and equipment are protected. Recommended bromine or chlorine residual levels are:

• Bromine Residual using Brominating Tablets
  • Residential = 2 - 4 ppm
  • Commercial = 4 - 6 ppm
• Bromine Residual using Brominating Concentrate: 3 - 6 ppm
• Chlorine Residual using Chlorinating Concentrate: 3 - 5 ppm

Maintain pH between 7.4 - 7.6 (the ideal range; acceptable range is 7.2 - 7.6). By adding SpaGuard Spa Sentry, it holds the pH within its optimum range. Spa Sentry is formulated to "watch over" the pH and protect the water from pH changes.

*Not Applicable for Spas using Spa Sentry.
**Spa Sentry not compatible with Soft Soak®.

6. Testing

The chemistry of your spa water needs to be checked regularly. Use SpaGuard products to maintain the correct levels, including: sanitizer residuals, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, metals, and total dissolved solids. BioGuard® 4-way Test Strips - and Soft Soak® 4-way Test Strips for Soft Soak spas - test pH, total alkalinity, and sanitizer levels with only one strip.

Maintaining proper levels will make the water clear and comfortable, kill bacteria that can multiply rapidly in a spa, protect spa surfaces from stains caused by metals, and protect spa equipment from scale. There are 3 essential chemical areas to maintain.

1. Sanitization - kills bacteria to help prevent the transmission of disease.
2. Oxidation/shock - removes residues and restores clarity and comfort.
3. Water balance - ensures spa user comfort, water clarity, sanitizer efficiency, and longevity of spa surfaces and equipment.

Did not find what you were looking for?  Try these additional spa care tips.