swimming pool * Maitenance tips ~

A swimming pool is actually a pile of stagnant water, treated hygienically by various components, in order to take bath leisurely, combining with the state of exercise and entertainment. It can be built in either with concrete or the innovative combination of fiberglass with epoxy coating,includes the porcelain ceramic tiles.

Whether it may be a public or a private, it must be maintained regularly. Normally the dimension of a swimming pool is measured in meters (measured in yards also), fixing it as international standard. We can construct a small poll, having 25 meters in length and 1 to 2 meters in depth,for here, we only consider it as a private pool.

The private type may be in concrete, vinyl inner, fiberglass, which should meet out the standards of the "APSP" (Association of poll & spa professionals) and approved by the local governing body for the specific task.

A concrete swimming pool is constructed as in conventional method of constructing with bricks and cement using porcelain ceramic tiles of various colors and design suited to one's customized taste. It's essential to incorporate an unrestricted hydro static valve, within the design. There is unnecessary for the pool to make it empty, especially in rainy season,in order to avoid the flotation of the swimming pool, considering the operation of the hydro static valve, in mind. One should bear in mind, that emptying the pool must be under the supervision of the pool maker or with the authorized consultant,

As it's name itself,we can know that, it denotes the interiors of the pool,as colorized chlorinated pvc thermoplastic. Vinyl is used as the waterproofing membrane in the construction of the pool's interiors. It is less expensive when compared to the concrete, and again, quick to install within a week.

Even some company marketed it as DIY (Do IT Yourself) projects with catalogs.In the following years, many companies have manufactured the vinyl pool kits of various style and quality, which would be easily transported to the site,where they would be erected.

The design ranges from simple (also cheap) to high quality, of having insulated with prefabricated wooden to galvanized steel, respectively. Their salient features are:

1) Low budget with low initial cost

2) Multiple design with various colors

3) Highly insulated with high protection

4) Children friendly design

5) Non slip capacity

6) vinyls are treated to discourage with algae growth

7) Due to their liner thickness, they are durable for 20 to 25 years in moderate climate

8) Recycle in nature

9) Replacement of liners are easy, within in 2 or 3 days

1) You can see the pool-body, built in either vinyl, plaster, tiles, fiberglass or the combination of all

2) The pool water is drawn into the filtering system, through the 'Skimmer' and the 'Main drain'. This is shown in the picture by blue lines ( if equipped, some pool doesn't have this).

3) The pool water comes into the filter system, through the 3 way valve and the pump motor (if the pool equipped with this).

4) The pool water travel into the filter system (it may be 'sand' , 'catridge' or DE), where the fine dirt and debris got filtered and eliminated.

5) After the filter, the cleaned water travels through the heater (if equipped).

6) The filtered and heated water returns into the pool through the return in-lets. It is shown in the diagram by the red lines.

1) Circulation

2) Filtration - Products to keep our filter running clean

3) Cleaning & Maintenance

4) Testing - test kits &strips

5) Water chemistry & pool care chemicals

Circulation - For better circulation, the circulator helps to eliminate dead spots to penetrate with pool care chemicals and more efficiently heat the pool water. The dirt and fine debris of the pool, can easily be lifted by this modern circulation and thus eliminated. The chemicals for killing and controlling the 'algae' and 'bacteria',easily penetrate through this area, where they supposed to grow and breed, ans thus formulating the cloudy membranes and make the water greenish. It will support the filtering system to do it's work properly.

With the help of this circulator, the pool water remains pure, clean, and heated up.Thus it save your money and time consumption.

Filtration - This is like "Heart & Kidney" of the swimming pool, which cleans the dirt and debris of the sediments found at the bed and elsewhere. The filtration are of three types, namely sand, cat ridge and DE (diatomaceous earth). Overall these 3, the best filtration is catridge,due to the back washing (backwash refers to the reversal pumping of water, and sometimes intermittent with compressed air, through the process) and environmental issues. How ever all the filters are getting dirt and should be replaced or cleaned periodically,to make it functional. Finally, when considering the the horse power of the filtering system, it is recommended to prefer low horse power (instead of high horse power), since it is more reliable of eliminating the dirt & debris, and also the current bill will not go high, remains economical.

Cleaning and maintenance - First, the prime duty of cleaning and maintenance is to prevent 'Algae growth' and 'cloudy membranes'. Most of the swimming pools have a particular area, with little circulation, in that,the growth of the algae and bacteria are found. This produces stuff which contribute to cloudy and green water. This pool water contains the higher chlorine level, At least once in a week, the walls and the floor of the pool,should be rubbed with the brushes regularly in order to eliminate the debris, which are left unidentified by the filter itself. Brushing is must even you use automatic pool cleaner. Don't forget to cleanup the bio-film coverage found around the water pipe lines.

Testing - We should test the pool water twice in a week and bring the pool water sample to the lab, at least 3 times per a season for getting the best results.Please keep a record on the inspection about the pool water,and don't rely upon the apparent color of the pool water,whether it may seen crystal clear.Make the regular adjustments of pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness promptly. We should protect the pool water surface, filter system, and eliminate 'red eye' and 'dry skin'.

The word chemistry itself means, the water and the chemicals, by which it would be purified and protected against the growth of Algae,etc. The water chemistry of the pool should be maintained properly, so as to make easy for the swimmers to enjoy swimming. The maintenance of the chemicals of the pool saves a lot of money to the pool owners and also their health conditions.

The steps as follows:-

1) Sanitizing - you should mix the chemical called chlorine (cl) in to the pool in order to mix with the bacteria and the organics, and kill the harmful contaminants.Then the combined chlorine and the organics are given the shock treatment once in a week, and are eliminated by the filter system of the pool,effectively.

2) Determination of the type of usage of chlorine - The chlorine available in the market differs according to the size and the power of the ingredients, by which it is manufactured.The sizes are tablets,sticks,granular forms. Their power is calculated by the concentration of the chlorine mix, in the product.

3) Adding the chlorine into the pool - You can buy floating chlorine feeder, and automatic chemical feeder from the pool product suppliers.You can store it with 1" , 3" , or chlorine sticks,and made it to float, in order to dissolve the chlorine into the pool water. You shouldn't dump chlorine tablets or the sticks into the feeder, in order to prevent the concentration,which could affect the circular pump system and the filter system.

4) Maintaining a proper pH level - The pH level in the swimming pool should be as equal to the pH level of the human tears, which is 7.2. The optimal level of the pool should be in between 7.2 to 7.6. When sanitizing the pool water, the chlorine would be more effective, say 10 times higher than it's original, when the pH level is maintained in 7.2 level. The pH level is tested through a special test strip. Mostly, the pH level in the pool water is high. To decrease the pH level, pour the "Muriatic acid" (AKA hydro chloric acid), slowly into the deep end of the pool, when the pool pump is in 'on' condition'. Granular acid or the pH minus or decrease r is safer to use as alternative for the 'Muriatic' acid.

5) When adjusting the pH level - Whether increasing or decreasing, don't add larger amounts and retest the condition after 6 hours of continuous filtration. You can readjust it, as it needs. This will avoid bouncing, and the pool water can be maintained the pH level for 1 to 3 weeks,according to our usage and rain etc. If you are having problem with your eyes burning it is due to the pH level (low or high) imbalance, not the high chlorine (FAV - free available chlorine - as distinguished from total or combined chlorine).

These are all about a swimming pool, and one should maintain the pool water properly, in order to enjoy ourselves, and can spend our leisure time as a useful one.