Frequently Asked Pool Care & Pool Maintenance Questions

Have questions about maintaining your personal pool paradise? Find answers to some of our frequently asked questions (FAQs) below!

Pool Equipment and Overall Care FAQs:

How long should I run my pool equipment?

We suggest your filter system run 6 to 8 hours per day. When water temperatures start to climb above 80° run the system 8 to 12 hours per day.

Do I still need to brush my pool?

Even though most pools are equipped with an automatic pool cleaner, most won’t scrub, especially not thoroughly. Brushing your pool can help remove algae or any other small particles from the pool’s surface.

Pay special attention to spots where water circulation is a problem (behind ladders, loveseats and corners). Brush the walls, benches, floor, loveseats and all other pool surfaces once a week.

Do I need to drain my pool every year?

We recommend that you don’t drain your pool, especially during the winter. Keeping water in the pool during the winter can actually protect the bottom of the pool from cracking during freezing temperatures. We do, however, recommend a pool cover during the off-season to protect the pool from debris and cold temperatures. To extend your swimming season, consider a pool heater.

What do I do to maintain my pool lighting?

The best way to maintain pool lighting is by cleaning the light covers, replacing old bulbs and keeping leaves and other debris from touching the lights.

Pool Cleaning FAQs:

How often do I need to clean my skimmer and pump baskets?

A dirty or clogged skimmer basket restricts water flow. If water can’t flow through your skimmer, your pool can’t circulate properly and that could cause problems down the road. The same is true of your pump basket. If water is restricted the pump can overheat. Clean skimmer baskets daily and inspect for cracks, replacing if needed.

How often do I need to backwash my filter?

For swimming pools equipped with a D.E. filter, we recommended the filter be backwashed when the pressure reaches 10PSI above starting pressure or once a month.

Pool Chemical FAQs:

Does my saltwater pool require any chlorine?

The nature of a saltwater system is that it actually converts ordinary salt into chlorine. There may be an occasion that you might need to super chlorinate the pool or “shock” the water. Saltwater pools are a great option for those who are sensitive to chlorine. Chlorine generated pools, or “saltwater pools” have softer water and can be gentler on eyes, skin and hair.

How long should I wait to use my pool after a chemical shock treatment?

To stay on the safe side with chemical water treatments, we recommend using your pool eight to 12 hours after administering a treatment. The best time to shock a pool is during the evening, to let the system run over night. If you use a non-chlorine shock you can swim within 30 minutes of the pool treatment.

If I have pool chemicals left over from last season, can I still use them?

Pool chemicals typically last if kept in the proper conditions. Dry chemicals have a 7 year shelf life before expiring. Liquid pool chemicals will last just as long, but if the chemicals freeze we recommend replacing them. Pool chemicals can separate if they freeze and thaw too many times, so make sure you keep your pool chemicals stored in a warmer place during the winter to ensure a safe and clean pool.

What is the proper pH and alkaline balance for my pool water?

The pH level should be between 7.4 and 7.6 and the total alkalinity should be between 100 -150 ppm. For gunite pools, the calcium hardness should be between 200-250 ppm.

Why is it important for my pool chemical and water levels to be correct?

Keeping the right levels in your pool allows for a safe and healthy swimming environment. Not enough chlorine or chemicals can create a haven for bacteria and create unsanitary conditions.

Too many chemicals can cause a harmful environment and dryness of skin, hair and eyes.

My pool water is cloudy. What should I do?

There could be a few contributing factors that can lead to cloudy water. The most common causes are, inorganic contaminates, poor filtration, or possibly high pH and/or Alkalinity.

Inorganic contaminates can be anything from swimmers leaving behind sweat, shampoo and sun screen to birds and debris. Take a water sample to your local pool professional and have your water tested to determine whether your pool needs to be shocked.

Poor filtration is often caused by a dirty filter. You may need to backwash and replace the filter media, or remove and clean your cartridges. It is very beneficial to remove the grids or cartridges from the filter and degrease them with a cartridge/filter cleaner at least once mid-season. Just spray on the cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes before hosing it off. The cleaner acts as a degreaser, helping break down the coating of oils from sunscreen, shampoo and swimmer oils that can coat the grids/cartridges. The filter system may also need to run longer to make sure the pool water is completely turning over. The system should run between 6 and 12 hours at a time, depending on the time of year and water temperature.

When pool water becomes out of balance it is necessary to make the proper adjustments. High pH and Alkalinity can lead to cloudy water. Take a water sample to your local pool professional at Anthony & Sylvan to have your levels checked and make the proper adju