FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS AUTOMATION?

Automation gives you push-button control over pool and spa operation and heater and blower control, either with a hand-held remote control or from an in-house wall-mounted panel. No more walking out to the pool equipment to turn on heater or spa operation! You can also control these and other operations from your computer, tablet, or cell phone. 

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT TO USE MY POOL AFTER CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN ADDED?

Generally, 15-30 minutes is a safe amount of time to wait after chemicals have been added unless otherwise instructed by your route technician.

WHAT IS A SALT POOL OR SALT-WATER CHLORINATOR?

 Salt-water chlorination is a process that uses dissolved salt (2,500–6,000 ppm) as a store for the pool’s chlorination system. The chlorine generator (also known as a salt cell, salt generator, or salt chlorinator) uses electrolysis in the presence of dissolved salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), to produce hypochlorous acid(HCIO) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), which are the sanitizing agents already commonly used in swimming pools. As such, a saltwater pool is not actually chlorine-free; it simply utilizes a chlorine generator instead of direct addition of chlorine.  

HOW LONG SHOULD MY PUMP RUN EACH DAY?

 Your pool filter is the single most important component in keeping your swimming pool clean. Ideally, a filter should run all the time for maximum circulation and debris removal. A minimum of 8 hours a day in summer and 4 to 6 hours per day in the winter is highly recommended. 

HOW DO I ADD WATER TO MY POOL/SPA?

 You can purchase an auto-fill float valve or a hose timer. You can also just use a garden hose from home hose bib. It is important that your pool maintain the correct volume of water for the equipment to function. If the water level gets too low, the pump will start sucking up air instead of fluid, the motor will overheat, and parts will melt. This will require replacement of equipment. 

WHAT IS THE WHITE, HARD MATERIAL THAT IS ON MY TILE?

 That is called efflorescence, and it comes from the grout. This unsightly buildup can be removed with special products. It is not a problem caused by the pool chemistry. 

WHAT ARE THE STAINS ON THE BOTTOM OF MY POOL, AND HOW DO I GET RID OF THEM?

 Below are a few of the most common materials that lead to surface stains on the pool walls and floor. Their exact effects are always influenced by the water’s overall pH, oxidation-reduction potential, calcium hardness, total alkalinity, and saturation index.

• Iron (Fe)
  • Origins: Fill water, degraded pipes or equipment, impurities in salt.
  • Evidence: Green water; cloudy yellow, red, or brown water or surface stains.
  • Treatment: Sequestering or chelating agent; gentle brushing, or chlorine/acid wash for more severe stains.
• Copper (Cu)
  • Origins: Fill water, degraded pipes or equipment, copper algaecides, impurities in salt. 
  • IMPORTANT TO KNOW: The most common cause of Copper stains comes from heaters, especially when used in conjunction with a salt system, as salt is very corrosive. All gas heaters have copper in them and will start sending copper to the pool
  • Evidence: Green, blue-green, yellow, brown, gray, or black color in water or plaster.
  • Treatment: Sequestering or chelating agent; gentle brushing, or chlorine/acid wash for more severe stains.
• Manganese (Mn)
  • Origins: Fill water, impurities in salt.
  • Evidence: Gray, black, lavender, or purple color in water or plaster.
  • Treatment:
    1. Sequestering or chelating agent; gentle brushing, or chlorine/acid wash for more severe stains or gray deposits on plaster.
    2. Gentle brushing, or acid wash for tougher deposits; balance pH and calcium hardness.

• Fertilizer Stains
  • Origins: Fertilizer pellets that get into the water will drop to the floor of the pool. These pellets contain iron and other minerals, which then stain the pool.
  • Evidence: Brown spots.
  • Treatment: These stains will go away on their own if the pool water is balanced properly.
• Leaf Stains
  • Origins: Leaves that have fallen into the pool and are not promptly removed.
  • Evidence: Brown stains where leaves have accumulated.
  • Treatment: These stains will go away on their own with elevated free chlorine in the water.

HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD MY POOL LOSE PER WEEK?

 Normally, pool water evaporation is about 1″ to 2½″ per week unless you are heating your pool. Warm water evaporates more rapidly, therefore, your pool could lose up to 3" to 5" per week. 

WHY DOES MY POOL HAVE A RING OF SCUM ON THE TILE?

 Floating oils, dirt, and waste can combine to form a scum line around the pool; this is why tile, an easily cleanable surface, is placed at water level around the perimeter of the pool. There are many tile cleanser products available that may be applied with a scrubbing pad or brush and a little elbow grease.