Your swimming pool should be a welcoming, crystal-clear oasis in your backyard that offers relaxation and an escape from the hectic schedule of your daily life. However, your pool can sometimes evolve into a chore that is labor-intensive and less than relaxing when water clarity isn’t up to par. Your filter isn’t always to blame when your water is cloudy or stained, but it is the culprit in more than a handful of cases. A regular schedule of pool filter maintenance can help keep your filter running smoothly. Even then, however, your pool and filter may require the attention of a professional pool maintenance service in Buford, GA.
Not all pool filters are created equally, as there are three primary types of pool filters that go about clarifying and cleaning water in different ways. Those three types of filters are sand filters, diatomaceous earth filters, and cartridge pool filters. Regardless of which type of filter you have, when you get water clarity that is less than satisfactory, there are some things you can do to improve the performance of your filter. Read on to learn a few tips.
Sand Filters
Sand filters are the simplest type of filter available. They use sand as the filtration medium. Simply put, the sand filter works by forcing pool water through a sand bed, which catches and traps detritus and dirt. The filtered dirt is then backwashed out of the filter by reversing the water flow. To improve the performance of sand filters and avoid some of the common problems associated with them, make sure to use sand filter cleaner before backwashing the sand bed. A great tool in the toolbox of anyone with a sand filter is alum, also known as aluminum sulfate. Alum can be added to the pool water. After coming in contact with water, it becomes a gel-like substance that bonds with dirt and allows it to be trapped more efficiently in the filter’s sand bed. Finally, you can install a mesh wall return bag that acts as a secondary sieve to remove extra fine particulate and allow algae to accumulate before reaching the filter.
Cartridge Filters
Cartridge filters are extremely convenient because they use premanufactured cartridges that are filled with pleated fabric as the filtration medium. The filter forces water through the cloth pleats, which in turn trap the particulate and dirt in the water. The pleats fill over time with filtered material and must be moved from the filter and washed out. Cartridge filters are susceptible to calcium deposits in areas with hard water, so it’s important to add a water softener if you know the water in your area is hard. You can revitalize your cartridge filter by soaking cartridges in a filter cleaner overnight before washing out deposits the next morning. Be sure to use a clarifier product in conjunction with your cartridge filter. It can help your filter operate at maximum capacity by coagulating dirt and debris into clumps that are easier to filter. Try adding pulp fiber into the skimmer as well. It can help with the removal of dirt without damaging your filter pleats. It’s important to note that cartridges wear out after about 20 rinse cycles, so you can improve your filter’s performance by changing the cartridges at the proper intervals.
Clean the Pool
Obviously, if vegetation or other debris fell into your pool over the course of the winter, now is the time to remove it to prevent staining or other damage to your pool. Also, you should take the opportunity in the spring to thoroughly clean the sides and floor of your pool with a vacuum to get a good baseline of cleanliness to start the season.
Clean Pool Accessories
A pool-centric life involves more than the pool itself, as you have many accessories such as floats, pool furniture, and toys that are part of the pool experience. Take the time to clean these accessories well so they too will be ready for the start of the pool season.
Stock Up on Supplies
While many people hire a pool service to maintain the water quality of their pools, some pool owners still take a do it yourself approach. Spring is a good time to restock on your pool chemicals and other supplies. You may be able to take advantage of sales or bulk pricing, so look for deals on the supplies you need.
Spring is the perfect season to get your pool ready for the busiest time of the year, whether that just involves cleaning it thoroughly or making much-needed pool repairs in Duluth. To learn more tips you can use to prepare your pool for the summer swim season, contact Sunrise Pool Services at (678) 804-0050.