How to make your pool sparkle

How do you clear cloudy pool water and make it sparkle? There are a few things that all work together to keep your water crystal clear including your water chemistry & filtration times.

Here are our top tips to keep your pool water sparkling!

Check your Water level

If it’s dropped below the middle of your skimmer box, give it a top-up with the hose. Filling it halfway up your skimmer will allow for proper circulation, which helps your filter remove impurities from the water!

quick Filter checkup

Getting sparkling pool water all season can be as easy as making sure your filtration system is operating and continues to run at its peak. An average pool should run for 6-8 hours per day in the summer, the pool filter works continuously to remove debris, contaminants, and other impurities from the water.

Similar to a vacuum cleaner after a while the build-up of waste in your filter will affect the flow. Poor flow results in poor circulation, which can then lead to cloudy water and algae outbreaks!

In preparation for summer, give your filter a checkup. This involves removing any hidden debris build-up and then giving it a clean with the recommended method for your filtration system.

If you have a sand filter, you’ll need to backwash your filter to flush out contaminants. During the swimming season, we recommend backwashing a sand or Activated Filter Media® (AFM) filter when the pressure gauge reads 10 psi above the normal operating level. Sand should be replaced every five years. AFM®, however, is expected to last the lifetime of your filter!

If you have a cartridge filter, remove the cartridges and check every few weeks and hose them down when necessary... you'll need to replace the cartridges every two to three years.

After giving your filter a thorough clean, we suggest adding a dose of BioGuard Filter Brite®. It will remove any remaining scale or waste deposits while also sanitising the filter media or cartridge. This product is suitable for all filtration systems and can also be used when you give your filter its annual deep clean.

Every filtration system is slightly different. If you need any assistance with your filter maintenance, give us a call or use the button below to request a service!

Test your water

Now that you’ve rejuvenated your filter, the next thing to tick off your list is water balance! We can test your pool or spa water using state-of-the-art computerised equipment to make sure you get the right balance. Once we've tested the water we can advise you on you'll need to correct any chemical imbalances.

We then recommend testing your water every week at home and in-store with us once a month. Staying on top of your water balance is the secret to saving money and achieving sparkling water all Summer!

This way we'll be able to keep your water safe, prevent damage to your surfaces and equipment, and allows your pool products to work most efficiently!

3-Step Program Kit

Tailored just for you, the 3-Step Program Kit will contain the following:

1. A sanitiser for healthy water

2. An oxidiser for sparkling water

3. An algaecide for clean water

Getting the sparkle

Now let's get that extra sparkle!

An oxidiser is a product that works to remove and destroy swimmer wastes and organic contaminants in your water, keeping it crystal clear! We suggest BioGuard Lite® as an easy-to-use oxidiser that allows swimmers back in the water an hour after treatment.

If you're ready to take your pool water to the next level, you can also add a weekly dose of BioGuard Pool Complete™. It’s the final touch for any pool maintenance as its 3-in-1 formula keeps water super clear, prevents scum line build-up, and removes phosphates.

If you follow these simple steps, your pool water will sparkle all season!

Got questions?… Call us on (03) 9769 3252

How to Winterise your pool

Now that autumn has arrived, and winter is fast approaching, your pool usage has probably declined. However, just because your pool has shut up shop for the season doesn’t mean you can forget about it… doing so might leave you with a green pool, costing you much more than preventative maintenance would.

SO, HOW DO YOU GET YOUR POOL READY FOR WINTER?

STEP 1. CLEAN IT

Remove all debris from the water, skimmer, pump basket and filters. If anything is left to sink to the bottom it can stain the surface and be a real pain to clean.

STEP 2. CHECK ALL EQUIPMENT

Ensure the pump is working and there is no calcium build-up on the chlorination cell. Try using BioGuard Salt Cell Cleaner to remove any calcification.

Throughout the cooler months, you’ll still need the pump, filter and chlorinator to run for at least 4 hours a day If needed, we can always service your pool equipment.

STEP 3. BACKWASH YOUR FILTER

To clean contaminants from the filter, you’ll need to backwash the filter. Follow these basic steps to backwash your filter properly:

• Turn the pump OFF

• Move the Multiport Valve handle to ‘BACKWASH’ & open any valves on your waste line

• Turn the pump ON & run for 1-2 minutes or until the sight glass is clear.

• Turn the pump OFF

• Move the Multiport Valve handle to ‘RINSE’

• Turn the pump ON & run for 1-2 minutes or until the sight glass is clear.

• Turn the pump OFF

• Move the Multiport Valve handle to ‘FILTER’

• Turn the pump ON and set the timer to automatic.

STEP 4. BALANCE THE WATER

Everything in your pool becomes more efficient with properly balanced water. You’re primarily defending against algae outbreaks, but the surface and equipment will also last longer.

If you need to shock your pool, try using BioGuard’s Burn Out Extreme. It’s easy to use, is great for shocking or treating pools with chlorine demands and/or algae problems.

STEP 5. ADD A PHOSPHATE REMOVER

Although your pool might not contain algae, the addition of a phosphate remover like Pool Tonic eliminates its food source. No phosphates = no algae.

STEP 6. ADD A LONG TERM ALGAECIDE

A long-lasting algaecide like Bioguard MSA will kill algae & continue to remain active in the water for up to 3 months. This means that you won’t have to worry about any algal blooms while you’re not using the pool which could create a costly clean up when you’re ready to start swimming again.

STEP 7. USE YOUR POOL COVER

If you don’t have one, now is the time to invest. A cover protects your pool from debris, elements and evaporation. Let’s be honest, no one wants to be skimming and vacuuming when it’s freezing outside. Read our article about the benefits of pool covers here

STEP 8. CONTINUE BASIC MAINTENANCE

Continue to check the water chemistry and filter gauge every two weeks, adjusting where necessary.

Every so often, it’s a good idea to bring a water sample to us to give it the full once over.

FOR MORE POOL & SPA TIPS, PROMOTIONS AND INFORMATION, FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE HERE