Safety around your swimming pool is of utmost importance.
DROWNING AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION TIPS
Drowning can occur in a split second to people of all ages and swimming abilities. Drowning is a silent death, not accompanied by screaming or splashing. Educate yourself and your family to the hazards of drowning and take precautions at every opportunity.
Infants and toddlers are drawn to water and are the most common victims of drowning accidents.
Barriers such as fences are not reliable as they can easily be left open by accident. Install a self-latching device and preferably a lock.
A pool net is a very safe option, although a small child could still fall face down and drown, do not allow toddlers near the net unsupervised.
Plastic pool covers are very dangerous as they are not a safety device and can lead to entanglement and drowning if fallen on or swum under.
Drowning is a silent death, not accompanied by screaming or splashing.
Supervise children and non-swimmers at ALL times when near the pool.
Pool alarms can be installed to alert you to possible activity near the pool.
Do not allow children to run, play or ride their bikes around the pool when not swimming.
Make sure the pool has a clear view from the house.
Older children and even adults could slip and knock their heads which can easily lead to drowning.
Holding of the breath can lead to “shallow water black-out” which is a common cause of death even among very experienced swimmers.
Diving in unsuitable areas or shallow water can lead to spinal injuries and paralyses or death by drowning. Allocate a diving zone.
If you have a diving board, ensure it is well maintained and do not allow foolish behaviour as this is a common cause of injury.
Avoid consuming alcohol before swimming.
All swimmers should avoid swimming alone, in the event you incur an injury, you could easily drown.
Learn CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation).
Have your children take swimming lessons at an early age.
Algae spores constantly enter the pool, brought in by wind, rain or even contaminated swimsuits or equipment and a bloom can occur overnight. Caused by out of balance water, high pH and low chlorine, warm temperatures, sunlight and presence of nitrates and/or carbon dioxide, improper circulation, filtration and sanitation. Algae is not only unsightly, it will clog up the pores in a filter and require greater quantities of chemicals.
There are 4 main types of algae:
Green Algae
Very common and easy to treat with basic chemicals
Black Algae
Small black spots with a root system, very difficult to treat]
Yellow Algae
Usually found in shady areas or shaded pools, treat harshly
Pink Algae
A bacterial slime that forms in corners and on pool equipment
Regular brushing of seemingly clean pools is not only good exercise for you, but prevents dirt from harboring in the pores of the plaster, which is a good start for an algae colony. The use of specialty chemicals or algaecides is highly recommended:
Potassium Tetreborate (Proteam Supreme): Prevents algae from converting carbon dioxide into the fuel it needs for growth.
Chitin (Sea-Klear): Removes suspended materials and impurities, allowing the sanitizer to more effectively kill contaminants and improving the effectiveness of the filtration equipment, a very valuable weapon against algae.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: A low grade, foaming algaecide, most effective as an algaestat. (A prevention, not a cure.)
Polymers: Both an algaestat and an algaecide, non-foaming, effective general algae treatment.
Copper based: A proven algaecide and algaestat for all types of algae, can stain white plaster surfaces a light blue/green colour.
Silver based: Prevents bacteria from reproducing. Non foaming and effective with pink algae. Can cause black stains on white plaster. When using copper or silver algaecides, the use of a sequestering agent.
Chlorine enhancers (Mustard Buster, Yellow-Out or Yellow Treat): Used in conjunction with hypochlorites to help treat yellow algae.
We are not only first-class installers of premium fibreglass moulds. We are also well versed in the upkeep and maintenance of our customers’ pools who love our services because we’ve managed to keep their water crystal clear in the years we’ve balanced their PH.
TOTAL ALKALINITY
A close cousin of pH, the level of alkalinity in the water is a measurement of all the alkaline substances found in the pool water. Alkalinity is defined as the ability of the water to resist changes in pH. Low alkalinity is raised by the addition of a base such as sodium bicarbonate. High levels of alkalinity are lowered by the addition of an acid.
A very important component of water balance, alkalinity should be maintained in the 80-120 ppm range. Levels should be tested weekly.
CALCIUM HARDNESS
When we speak of scale, we are talking about Calcium Carbonate that has deposited itself on surfaces. The test for Calcium Hardness is a measure of how hard or soft the water is. Hard water can have high levels of calcium and magnesium. If these levels are too high, the water becomes saturated and will throw off excess particles out of solution, which then seek to deposit themselves on almost any surface inside the pool. This is calcium carbonate scale, a whitish, crystallized rough spot. If the levels are too low, the water is under saturated. The water becomes aggressive as it attempts to obtain the calcium it needs. Such soft water will actually corrode surfaces inside the pool which contain calcium and other minerals to maintain its hardness.
If your Calcium Hardness levels are too high, you can use TSP to lower the levels, or a product called Hydroquest. It can also be accomplished by dilution (adding water to the pool which has a lower calcium hardness content). Levels which are too low require the addition of calcium chloride. Recommended range for calcium hardness is 200 – 400 ppm.
There are a plethora of ways which you, as a fibreglass pool owner, will be able to keep your pool squeaky clean which you may or may not have heard of. While we do continue to mention more technical aspects within the articles that follow. This article will outline basic cleaning techniques.
One of the most important aspects of a clean pool is without a doubt the water level. Water levels need to be 3 inches above the bottom of the skimmer opening so as to allow for water to flow, skimming and cleaning surface debris. Should water levels become too low (causing the pump to run dry) while the pump is running you may cause exponential damage to your pool pump.
Inspect the filters in your system on a regular basis (every 2 weeks), a pressure indication of 4 pounds will possibly indicate a dirty filter cartridge. Remember to clean your system with the pump turned off, and once the filter is removed, clean it with a running hose and not a brush. Reinstall the filter with the pump turned off and then proceed to switch it back on once it has been completely assembled.
Cleaning the filter periodically is important as there are a few different types of build ups on the future which include calcium, oils from suntan lotion and algae. Use Muriatic Acid for calcium build up (water to muriatic 4:1 – soak 2-4 hours), oils and lotions require tri-sodium phosphate solution (try one cup TSP to 5 gallons of water), and if you have algae build up use a 1:1 chlorine to water solution. Should the filter become stained proceed with steps 2, 3, and 1 in that order.
Your next priority as a pool owner is your timer which should be running 6-8 hours during the winter months and 8-10 hours during the summer months. The pump should also be run during the day as this is when the sun is brightest, the most algae is produced and the time at which the pump will be most effective.
The running of your pump will be complemented by adequate vacuuming of your pool. This entails turning the pump onto its vacuuming mode through which it will cycle the water you are sucking up using the vacuuming pole and sweep head by passing the water through the filter and returning it to the pool. Be sure to perform a filter clean after you have completed this process, however, be aware that pools which exhibit too much dirt may require filter changes during the vacuuming procedure, so as to optimise cleaning.
Cleaning the actual fibreglass of the pool is actually the easiest and best part of any pool clean. For dust and dirt on the pool, feel free to use a damp sponge or rag (we recommend Scotchbrite 3M pads), and should the dirt be slightly tougher, use a common household cleaner such as Soft Scrub. You may use a mild abrasive cleaner for those tougher stains, as well as 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper BUT DO NOT USE BRILLO PADS OR ACETONE.
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