Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Caring For Your In Ground Swimming Pool Through The Seasons

Owning an in ground gunite swimming pool requires a certain degree of upkeep.  Below is a brief overview on what you can except in season and off season for pool care.

In Season Care Of Your In Ground Gunite Swimming Pool

1)      Check the pools chemical levels.   Your pools pH and chlorine should be checked at least twice a week.  The pool should maintain a chlorine level of one to three parts per million and chlorine ph of at least seven point four to seven point six. Always check the water towards dusk after swimmers are done swimming for the night and the water has had time to settle.  Follow all directions on pool testing kits and chemical additions.

2)      The pool should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week if not more. This will depend on use as well as the local weather. Cleaning the pool consists of skimming the debris from the top, brush the pools plaster in a circular motion loosening dirt and debris and running a vacuum to suck the dirt up after it has settled on the pools floor.  Cleaner can be used and applied if necessary.  Be sure to also check all filtrations systems and clean them out as well.

3)      Shock the pool with a high dose of chlorine every few weeks. Allow the pump and filter to run all night.  Swimming should be avoided for twenty four hours to allow the chemicals to run through the pools systems.

4)      The more the pools filter is run, while the pool is being actively used, the cleaner your pool will remain.  This is true throughout the summer swimming season.  It the water is in constant motion the dirt, debris, body oils and algae will have a hard time settling on the pool sides and floor.

Off Season Care Of Your In Ground Gunite Swimming Pool

1)      The pool should be inspected completely before you close the pool for the season. Check thepools plaster for cracks and imperfections that will need to be addressed before re-opening the opening the pool during the next swimming season.

2)      Adjust the chemicals in the water to perfection before completely closing the pool.

3)      All objects should be taken out of the pool.  Do not leave in ladders, diving boards, slides, pool toys, skimming baskets or any other pool accessory.  All items should be removed, dried and stored in a safe, dry environment throughout the winter season.

4)      Drain all of the water from the pool pumps, pipes and filtration systems.  Water that remains in the pools systems will likely freeze over the winter and could potentially cause expensive damage.  If you need help draining water from tubing a shop vacuum used on the lowest setting is gentle enough to assist in this.

5)      The pools water level should be lowered to just below the lowest pool return.  If you have any decorative tile on the pool walls it is important that the water is left below the tiles during the off season.

6)      Cover the pool with a safety cover throughout the winter season.  Secure it tightly and fix any obvious tears, rips or gaps.  A pool cover protects the pool from debris that is shed throughout the winter.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Good Clean Fun With The Installation Of A Gunite Swimming Pool

When summer approaches homeowners look towards ways to keep their children safe, active and at home.  Often times this can include installing an in ground cement and plaster finished pool.  Having a gunite pool installed at your home is a lot simpler and more affordable than ever before. 

When it comes to in ground or above ground pools they are incredibly similar in normal operations.  Both pools require filtration to be keep the pool free of debris, chemicals to maintain the ph balance, maintenance to keep it clean as well as basic surface cleaning.  One basic difference is that in –ground gunite swimming pools require maintenance on the pools plaster coating where as above ground pools will need thorough inspections of the vinyl lining.   The rest of the pools regular maintenance stays about the same.

1)      Debris will float on the surface of the water no matter what type of pool you have.  The first task is to remove the debris with a pool skimmer.  Pool owners should keep up on skimming their pools.  It should be done once or twice a day.  This also keeps the job from becoming overwhelming. 

2)      Both vinyl and plaster pools alike need to their walls to be cleaned.  By scrubbing the pool sides with a plastic-bristle pool brush you prevent algae and debris from sticking to the sides and staining the pool.  Move the brush in a circular motion around the entire lining of the pool. This will clean the sides without causing damage to the lining or plaster of a pools surface.

3)      After you scrub the sides of the pool with the plastic pool brush wait ten to fifteen minutes for the dirt and particles to settle on the pools bottom.  Vacuum the pools bottom slowly taking in all of the debris that has been rustled up.  By moving the vacuum slowly you will avoid stirring the dirt up and it is more efficient at getting all of the debris. Brush and vacuum the pool every week to keep the pool clean and as fresh as possible.

4)      Add the correct chemicals to balance the chlorine and remove the algae.  Follow all of the instructions while using pool chemicals.  Make sure to spread the pools chlorine around.  Dilute the chlorine as you add it to the pool avoiding staying in one place.

5)      Test the pools water ph and alkalinity levels once every two weeks.  Chlorine levels should be maintained around three parts per million and ph levels should read between seven point two and seven point six.

6)      The filtration systems should be cleaned thoroughly each week.  The main filter on the pool should be checked and emptied daily.  This is where large debris will end up.  Many people find critters that have drown in the pool in the filtration system.  So be aware that this may happen to you

7)      Keep the pools filtration systems running at least eight hours a day to keep the pool circulation and filtering regular and the water as fresh as possible for your swimming adventures. 

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.