How often should a pool cleaning service come?
Due to the extreme heat and windy conditions within the Las Vegas Valley it's recommended to have your chemicals balanced and pool cleaned weekly throughout the year. If a pool is left for longer periods, baskets can fill up with debris quickly and pool chemicals become unbalanced.
What chemical levels do I need to test for regularly?
The four main tests to perform with a test kit are pH, Chlorine (or other sanitizer residual), Total Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness. Cyanuric Acid levels, Mineral Content, Total Dissolved Solids and Acid or Base Demand tests may also be performed.
What are the recommended levels?
pH: 7.2–7.8 · Chlorine: 1.0–3.0 ppm · Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm · Calcium Hardness: 180–220 ppm (though some say 200–400) · Cyanuric Acid: 30–80 ppm · Total Dissolved Solids: less than 2000 ppm.
How long should my pump run?
Your pump and filter system has usually been matched to the size of your pool so that the total water volume is re-circulated roughly twice a day. Different weather factors, especially temperature, must also be taken into consideration — a good rule of thumb is to run the pump longer in summer and shorter in winter.
My pump is making a noise?
This could be a number of things. If it is a gurgling kind of sound, the pump may not be fully primed — common causes are low water in the pool or a suction leak. If the sound is a loud whining, screeching, or grinding, the pump bearings may be failing and it should be looked at.
Does my pool need a chemical wash (chlorine bath)?
The only time your pool should need a chemical wash is if the pool is or was green. If there are traces of algae in the pool, a chemical wash is the best choice, since the chlorine will kill and destroy the algae. You can't simply conduct an acid wash on a green pool.
Does my pool need an acid wash?
If the pool has stains or dark and light spots on the plaster, then yes — it needs an acid wash. Staining occurs when the water is out of balance (high pH, calcium and TDS levels), and builds when pool water hasn't been drained every 2–3 years.
How often should my cartridge filter be cleaned and replaced?
Correctly sized cartridge filters can operate for 6 months between cleanings. The cartridge is removed from the tank and hosed thoroughly, top to bottom, with a high-pressure hose when the pressure gauge rises 8–10 lbs above its clean reading. Each cleaning reduces some filtering ability, so the cartridge should be replaced every 2–4 years depending on the work it was asked to do — an undersized filter facing algae and heavy tree debris may last only 1–2 years.
