Domestic Swimming Pools - Water Treatment Advice

Circulation

Good circulation will ensure the proper distribution of water throughout your pool.  Watch out for dead spots, areas of poor circulation (i.e. corners or behind pool steps) and take care of these when brushing or vacuuming.

1. -Run your filter pump for a minimum of 12 hours every day.  The longer you run your pump the better the water quality you will achieve.
   

2. -Ensure return inlets point down towards the pool floor at a 30-45 degree angle.  Pointing this way will aid circulation.
   

3. -Keep your pump and skimmer strainer baskets free of debris by regular checks.
   

4. -Backwash your filter once a week.  As debris is collected by the filter, the pressure within the tank builds up and the flow diminishes.  Backwashing will remove the debris collected in the sand and improve flow rates.
   

Filtration

The pool filter will remove large and small suspended matter from the water and without an efficient filtration system, no amount of chemicals will make the water sparkle.  Typically your pump and filter combination will be matched with your pool to get a water turnover period of 6-8 hours.  Keep that pump running at least 12 hours every day.

1. -Specially graded silica sand and filter gravel (or alternatively glass) is used to fill your filter and this should be changed every 3-4 years.
   

2. -Backwash your filter once a week.
   

3. -Chemically clean the filter sand every season to remove grease and calcium deposits.
   

Cleaning

Brushing the walls and floor, vacuuming the floor and removing debris from the water surface are all necessary parts of regular pool maintenance.  Cleaning around the pool’s waterline should also be completed regularly as this area is where grease deposits can accumulate, allowing debris to stick easily to it.  This debris provides a source of food for bacteria and algae to grow.

1. -Brush and vacuum your pool regularly.
   

2. -Clean the pool’s waterline to prevent bacteria and algae.  Chemical cleaners are available to make this job easier.
   

3. -Don’t forget to regularly clean your pool surround.  Any debris near the pool will be washed into the water by rain or walked in by bathers making their way in for a swim.
   

4. -Empty and clean your pump and skimmer strainer baskets regularly.
   

5. -Never use household cleaners to clean within your pool, they are probably not compatible with your pool water chemistry.
   

6. -Clean solar and winter debris covers before storing them away.
   

Testing

Regularly testing your pool water is vital to ensure that the water is safe for bathers to use.  As a guide testing disinfectant and pH levels twice a week when the pool is being used is an absolute minimum requirement for domestic pools.

1. -Your pool water should always be sparkling, clear and comfortable to bathe in.
   

2. -Rockingham can offer full FREE water analysis if required.  Please pop a sample bottle of your pool water into our offices and our engineers will advise on the required chemical alterations to ensure your water chemistry is correct.
   

3. -Prevention of problems is far better than having to repeatedly solve them. Keep checking your pool chemical levels and dose regularly.
   

Chemistry

Pool water treatment should be easy and not consume a lot of your leisure time.  Rockingham Engineers have been extensively trained to help you in your quest for the perfect pool conditions, and can give advice on the best maintenance procedure for your pool.

Balance - Set up your pool at the start of each season or after heavy dilution by balancing the pH, Total Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness.

Sanitise - Keep that bacteria controlled using a chemical sanitiser.  Chlorine, Bromine, Active Oxygen or Peroxide ranges are available from Rockingham Pools.

Oxidise - Non-filterable wastes like perspiration, cosmetics and suntan lotion can build up in your pool.  This can lead to unpleasant bathing conditions, cloudy water and provide food for algae growth.  Add an oxidizer to your pool to remove these wastes, purify the water and restore clarity and water sparkle.

Algaecide - Algae are microscopic plant life that can multiply very rapidly in pool water.  They can be the bane of pool owners lives as they could turn a clear pool green and unusable very quickly.  It costs far more in time and money to cure an algae problem than prevent it.  Always use an algaecide to stop algae gaining a foothold.

Please contact the office if you have any questions or wish for an individual maintenance plan to be drawn up for your swimming pool or spa.  Rockingham Swimming Pools can also offer regular maintenance services, please see our maintenance section for more details.