8/2/2019 Pool Instruction Startup Guide

1/2

Tonys detailed Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips

From my own personal experience in the pool maintenance field I offer you some tips for the

average do it yourselfer to maintain your pool year round through basic principles and science.

Materials needed:

Sodium Bicarbonate- Raises total alkalinity (amount of alkaloid solids in the pool, helps maintain a

steady PH level)

Chlorine tablets- Stabilized chlorine that contains cyanuric acid (Ill cover this later) Maintain 1.5-

2.0ppm chlorine during the summer, and 1.0-1.5 during the winter. Test weekly.

Muriatic acid- To raise the PH

Soda Ash- To lower the PH

4 way tester- Tests chlorine, total alkalinity, ph, acid demand test (tells you exactly how much acid or

soda ash to add depending on your pool size)

Cyanuric acid tester- (chlorine stabilizer tester)

Granular shocker bags- (Calcium hypochlorite) to shock the pool with high levels of chlorine to kill any

sanitation resistant microbes and remove bonded chlorine and introduce free chlorine to the water.

In the beginning, until you catch the drift of how everything works I'd suggest testing all variables

once a week. (Chlorine, Ph level, Cyanuric acid, Total alkalinity) If you have to make any adjustments,

make them, then retest the water two to three hours later to ensure you got the results you wanted. After

testing weekly you'll begin to get a feel for how your pool reacts to the changes you are making.

However this changes seasonally as well, because of the heat and cold.

Chlorine works by bonding to bacteria, algae, and growing organisms and sanitizing them. This is

what keeps your pool clean and safe. At least once every two weeks you need to "Shock" the pool and

burn off all of the used bonded chlorine and to kill off any sanitation resistant organisms. This is done by

raising the chlorine to 10ppm or so and letting it fall back down to 1.5-2.0 ppm (normal). If your water

has visible algae, then a 20ppm shock would be advised. If your water is black and green, then a 30ppm

shock would be advised. The introduction of a large amount of rainfall or high amounts of pool activity

that introduces microbes and dirt may require shocking more often as well. You will be able to visually

determine this if you notice algae or discoloration on the walls of your pool. When adding chemicals to

your pool, always mix them in a large 5 gallon bucket to dilute them, then pour it evenly over the water.

Never add chemicals directly to your skimmer or filter.

Cyanuric acid is used to prevent chlorine from oxidizing from the suns ultra violet rays.

Therefore, indoor pools do not utilize this. Cyanuric acid cannot be destroyed over time, only evaporated

into the air. It is known as a pool stabilizer, because it latches onto free unbonded chlorine and enables it

to last longer in the sunlight. Levels above 40-50 ppm are not advisable; the cost to benefit ratio is just

too high. 20-40 ppm is more than sufficient. Above levels of 100ppm can cause damage to your pool

concrete and create stains. Most "stabilized" chlorine tablets have cyanuric acid in them, albeit a very

8/2/2019 Pool Instruction Startup Guide

2/2

small amount. This aids in chlorine tablets staying effective longer during the hot summer months with

high UV concentration. During the winter months when your pool evaporates very little water, cyanuric

acid will build up if you add too much stabilized chlorine. Without the addition of fresh water, this level

would just keep rising as you add more chlorine. When you add new water to your pool, the fresh water

will lower the cyanuric acid content.

This is why during the heat/cold shifts of summer and winter you need to specifically monitor

your cyanuric acid levels, because the water evaporates less quickly, and the sun is less intense.

Therefore, you need to monitor and adjust your chlorine levels and adjust your chlorine feeder

appropriately to keep cyanuric acid levels in range.

Dont forget that an hour or so after filling your pool with water and letting the pump circulate,

test and adjust your water, as you have just diluted every chemical buy a small amount.

Some people bloviate about testing the Calcium content of your water because using calcium

hypochlorite will raise the hardness of your waterwhen you constantly shock it. However in my

opinion, it really does not matter unless you are notice the tiles forming calcium deposits all the time, or if

the water is milky or cloudy to your eye.

Through a careful systematic approach, one can maintain their pool year round with the proper

chemical balance. Annual chemical costs are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of damages

from a severely neglected pool. Regular upkeep is simple and quick provided you have the proper

information. In the shifts of heat and cold during the seasons, a more attentive approach must be

observed momentarily to factor in the evaporation of water, rainfall, and UV sunlight. Dont be

intimidated by caring for your pool! If that sweaty teenager you pay $40 dollars a month to come over

and take care of your pool can do it, then so can you!