Routine pool maintenance

All chlorine products are hazardous and must be handled with care. Read the instructions carefully.

Chlorine (Cl) sanitizes the water and helps prevent bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. While granules are generally less expensive, tablets last longer, which means a little less work for you. Once common, liquid chlorine is not as popular as it was a few years ago. The main thing is to compare the chlorine concentration, which ranges from 60% and 75%. The higher the percentage, the less product you will need to use.

How often should you check the chlorine level?

You will need to check the chlorine level daily (especially during hot weather and on high-use days). To do this, add a few drops of orthotolodin (it comes in the test kit) to a sample of pool water. The ideal chlorine level is between 0.6 and 1.5 ppm. Adjust as needed. Always add chlorine to water; adding water to chlorine can cause an explosion.

A chlorinator makes maintenance easy

You can use a chlorinator to lighten the maintenance load. A chlorinator controls the amount of chlorine released into the water using concentrated tablets that last 5 to 7 days. This can come in handy when you’re out of town. If you don’t have a chlorinator, have a friend or a qualified technician look after your pool. Adding large amounts of product is not a good solution.

Like chlorine, a saltwater pool treatment system disinfects the water, but without the storage and handling hassles or physical discomfort associated with chemicals. Maintenance is easier. How does it work? As salt water passes through the salt generator (at a concentration about 15 times lower than sea water), electrolysis breaks the salt down and natural chlorine is released. The chlorine is returned to the pool and once it has done its job, it’s converted back into salt and the process begins again. In general, a weekly check of your pool’s pH is sufficient. Natural chlorine (from the process described above) does not evaporate like chemical chlorine and its concentration is quite stable, except when a lot of water is added. When the salt level drops, an indicator light on the power pack comes on.

What are the drawbacks of a salt system?

Salt is highly corrosive, so this treatment is not recommended for pools with metal walls. You also have to add in an algaecide because unlike chlorine, salt doesn’t kill algae. What's more, salt systems aren’t without environmental impacts. When you backwash the filter and empty the pool at the end of the season, some of the salt ends up in the soil or in the sewer system. This sodium buildup can cause corrosion and contaminate waterways and groundwater.

No matter what kind of pool you have, your weekly pool maintenance checklist is pretty much the same:

• Maintain an adequate level of water at all times—it should hit about halfway up the skimmer. If the water is too low, the motor will run unnecessarily.

• Empty the skimmer basket regularly, and even more often when it’s windy.

• Use the skimmer net (leaf rake) to collect leaves and other debris falling off nearby trees.

• Vacuum as soon as you see or feel deposits of sand on the bottom of the pool or install a robotic cleaner. Caution: Using a robotic cleaner may void your pool liner warranty.

• Test the water to make sure you have the proper chlorine or salt level. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.6. Act quickly to adjust the level if the situation calls for it—for example, if your pool water turns green. Not sure if everything’s balanced? Take a water sample to a pool retailer for analysis and recommendations.

• Backwash the filter after each cleaning or if you feel like the main drain or skimmer isn’t drawing enough water.

PH correctors for clear water

Is the water in your pool whitish and cloudy? The pH may be too high. The pH level is a measure of how acidic/basic water is on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7.4 being ideal. There are several types of pH test kits available on the market. They come in bottles (phenol red) or test strips. The quality of the products is pretty much the same from one kit to another, although some are more comprehensive and test things other than pH.

Limestone stabilizer to control water hardness

How “hard” your water is depends on how much limestone is in it. It’s important to use a kit to check your water hardness from time to time. If the water isn’t hard enough, it becomes corrosive and can damage pool components. Also, the chlorine you add will have no effect. Add a calcium-based product to harden the water as needed. But be careful because you can’t soften water that’s too hard. It will have to be changed.

Why does pool water turn green?

• It needs more chlorine. When it’s really hot out, pool water requires more chlorine and more disinfectant.

• It’s out of balance. Clear water indicates that the hardness, alkalinity, and acidity are balanced.

• It needs more oxygen. Solar covers are useful for keeping pool water cool at night but should be removed during the day.

How do you fix a green pool?

There’s no miracle product that can fix the problem without a proper water analysis. You can buy a home test kit to check the chlorine levels, pH, and hardness of your pool water, but you’ll get much more accurate results if you have it tested by a professional (your local pool store will probably do it free of charge). Simply take a clean empty bottle and insert it into the pool elbow-deep to take a sample. A pool specialist will be able to run some tests and suggest the best treatment. Once your pool water balance is rebalanced, it will be easier to keep it under control and get rid of algae (usually by using a shock treatment with a concentrated algaecide).

A word of advice: Postpone any swimming for 24 hours after adding a large amount of algaecide.

(Video in French only)

Can you prevent algae?

Maintaining the water balance is the best way to prevent algae from forming. Take a water sample to a pool specialist once a month, especially early in the season. And be sure to check the chlorine and pH twice a week.

Pro tip: Use a small amount of algaecide every week to kill any algae in the pool.

What about foamy water?

Pool water doesn’t usually get foamy like hot tub water, but it is possible. Foam can be caused by excess algae control products (algaecides) or organic waste in the water. Either way, it’s best to lower the pool water level by 4–8 in. (10–20 cm) and refill it. Once that’s done, monitor the pH level (it should be between 7.2 and 7.6) and use non-foaming algaecides.

A word of advice: Install an outdoor shower and have people rinse off before they get in the pool.

Going on vacation?

If you’re planning to be away from home for a few days or even a week, a little extra chlorine and leaving the solar cover off will help keep any algae at bay. But if you’ll be gone any longer than that, it’s best to ask a trusted neighbour to stop by the house a few times to test the water and adjust the chlorine as needed. Letting them use your pool while you’re away is a nice way to say thank you, plus it will keep the water moving while you’re gone!

Your pool could easily account for 70% of your summer electric bill. Fortunately, you can cut those costs by choosing a good location or adding a few accessories. CAA-Quebec’s Residential Advisory Services have great tips to help you save energy.

• Install a timer to make sure your pump only runs when it needs to. You could save up to 45% of the costs associated with your pool filtering system. Note: If you heat your pool with a heat pump and it shuts down or the water flow is low, it could damage the unit. Do your homework.

• Use a solar cover (especially at night and even in warm weather). You could save up to 45% on heating costs.

• Make sure your pump has at least two speeds and is Energy Star® certified to save up to 89%.

• Lowering the temperature on your heat pump by 2 degrees could cut your heating costs by up to 25%.