WINTER POOL TIPS FROM Jim’s Pool Care

WINTER POOL TIPS FROM Jim’s Pool Care

With winter approaching now is the time to think of what maintenance can be done on your pool and pool equipment in preparation for the next swimming season.

POOL PUMP

Pump is getting old, becoming noisier? Pumps typically last 5-7 years. With the cost of electricity increasing, may be you’re thinking of upgrading to an energy efficient pump like the Astral P320XT.

Astral reports that the average size pool (40,000L) can save $2,800 over 5 years. Ask now for a FREE pool pump energy audit of your existing pump compared with similar running of an energy efficient pump.

POOL FILTER

Most pool owners don’t think too much about the work of their pool filter. Each day it may be turning over 100,000 litres of water and filtering out small particles of dirt and debris. Even with backwashing this debris eventually moves down through the layers of sand or glass and blocks the small pores, reducing the filter’s ability to trap particles. This leads to poorer water quality and the water may tend to look cloudy or you may see dirt returning to the pool.

Most people have never changed the sand in their filter; it is recommended to change the filter media every 5-7 years to maintain optimal filtration. Ask now to BOOK IN a media change in the off season.

POOL CHLORINATOR

Salt chlorinators are often working hard throughout the summer months to produce sufficient levels of chlorine and it’s not uncommon to see chlorinators fail soon after. In general, salt cells last about 5 years before the metal coating on the electrodes begins to deteriorate. Even self-cleaning salt chlorinators need some extra attention.

Correct pH of the water all year round is important. It’s also important to monitor and maintain appropriate levels of calcium as high level of calcium in the pool water can cause white calcium scale to develop on the electrodes, reducing their performance.

This time of year is also a good time of year to have your chlorine doser serviced. This can include either renewing the squeeze tube and supply tube and/or cleaning and calibration of the probes.

BLACK SPOT ALGAE IN POOL

Winter is a great time to tackle any black spot algae problems before it becomes too severe. It doesn’t take long for back spot algae to develop in shaded areas of a pool or around stairs or corners. Often this is a result of pH not being maintained consistently at lower levels and/or chlorine level being maintained at adequate levels throughout the year.

For more minor black spot issues chemical treatment and scrubbing with a wire brush might be sufficient. Otherwise, for extensive black spot algae it may need draining the pool, high pressure washing and chemical treatment. This is the time of year to discuss options with your pool technician.

POOL WATERLINE SCUM

Throughout summer with added swimming, sunscreen and body oils a dirty brown scum can develop on the waterline. While regular brushing of the walls and waterline with a pool broom will help, often this requires special treatment to remove the built up scum. Ask now to BOOK IN a scum clean during the winter months.

CALL NOW TO DISCUSS any winter maintenance options.

Article by Brad Papworth
Regional Franchisor
Jim’s Pool Care Sydney East