Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
How long should my pool pump run per day?
A:
Pump run times will vary between every pool depending on how many gallons of water the pool contains, the amount of resistance in the plumbing system, and the size of the pump. However, typical run times for average residential pools are 8 to 12 hours per day. Consult a pool professional if you're unsure about your particular pool configuration.
Q:
How often should the pool filter be cleaned or backwashed?
A:
The length of time between cleaning your pool filter will depend upon the type of filter and how much traffic or debris is entering the swimming pool water. Sand filters and DE filters are typically backwashed/cleaned the most frequently, usually once every two weeks. Cartridge filters can usually go much longer between cleanings with 3 to 6 months being the average. However, environmental factors could cause your filter to need cleaning more or less frequently. Each filter should have a pressure guage located on it. Check the pressure on this guage right after the filter has been cleaned and make a note of it. The filter will need to be cleaned again when the pressure on this guage increases by 10 psi or more from the pressure when the filter was clean.
Q:
How often should I run my automatic pool cleaner?
A:
Automatic pool cleaners, such as the Polaris series, may be run as needed. There are no requirements for duration or frequency. However, running a Polaris for 2 to 3 hours per day is usually enough to keep a standard residential pool debris free in most applications.
Q:
How high should I keep the water level in my pool?
A:
The water level in the pool should be kept high enough for the pool skimmer(s) to operate the most effectively and prevent air from entering the circulatory system. Keep the water level half way to two thirds of the way up from the bottom of the skimmer opening on the side of the pool for the best results.
Q:
How much water evaporation out of the swimming pool is normal?
A:
Water loss due to evaporation will vary day to day depending on the environment. There will be the most evaporation on hot, dry, and windy days and the least evaporation on cold, humid, and calm days. That being said, a pool may lose a quarter of an inch of water per day due to evaporation and maybe even more in extreme circumstances. Any more than this could be attributed to splash out, backwashing the filter, or leaks.
Q:
I have a salt water pool. How often should I add salt? Is there anything else I need to do?
A:
Salt water pools are unique in that they do not require adding chlorine to the pool. This is not to say that your salt pool is chlorine free. Every salt water pool has a chlorine generator, which actually converts the salt in the pool into chlorine. For the generator to produce chlorine, the salt must be kept at an ideal level of 2800 to 4000 ppm. As the water in the pool is dilluted from rain water and drained out from backwashing or splash out, salt will need to be added to compensate for this. How often will depend on the amount of rain, splash out, and frequency of backwashing, so pool owners will need to test the water at least once a week to ensure the salt is at its ideal level. Along with this, PH, alkalinity, stabilizer, and calcium should be monitored just like any other pool to ensure proper water chemistry.
Q:
Is it safe to swim in a pool with visible algae growth?
A:
Yes and no, but it is not advisable. Having algae in a pool does not necessarily make it a dangerous swimming environment. However, having visible algae in a swimming pool is a sign of poor water chemistry and for that reason it is not recommended to swim in a pool where it can be seen. Also, algae tends to be slippery, so it could be more likely that someone slips and potentially hurts themselves.
Q:
My pool is green. How long will it take to get it clean again?
A:
This will depend on how long the pool has been green and the level of expertise of the person cleaning it. A professional company like Oasis Pool Service will have a pool green to clean in about a week in most cases. If the pool has been negelected for an extended period of time it could take two weeks and in extreme situations it could take a month.
Q:
My pool pump recently started making a loud squeeling noise. Why?
A:
More than likely, the bearings are beginning to go bad in the motor of the pool pump. The motor will most likely need to be replaced in the near future.
Q:
Should I cover or winterize my pool?
A:
Because of the mild climate here in Northwest Florida, it is not necessary to winterize the pool. Typically when pools are covered and winterized, they end up turning into a swamp over the winter. So when the cover is taken off, they have a mess on their hands that needs to be cleaned up. This is not good for the longevity of the pool. For this reason, most people opt to maintain their pools as usual through the winter, even though it is getting minimal use.