How often should I clean my filter cartridge?
If the filter is operating properly, most pool owners have to clean their filter cartridge 3-4 times a year. With many new filters, which are much larger and can handle more debris, some pool owners only clean their filter cartridge once a year.
An easy way to know if the filter cartridge needs to be cleaned is to look at the filter pressure gauge. First, you need to find what the filter pressure is under ideal conditions and this can be accomplished two ways. Either record the filter pressure when a new filter cartridge is installed or remove the existing filter cartridge and reassemble the filter tank without the filter cartridge inside, then check the pressure. Now that you have the ideal filter pressure, add ten to your reading and the new number will be the filter “cleaning” pressure that will indicate when the filter cartridge needs to be cleaned. We call this the “Ten Pound Rule.” Over time, the filter pressure will approach the filter cleaning pressure more frequently. When this gets to a point when filter cleanings are occurring on a very regular basis, it is time to replace your cartridge.
How do I remove the white scale build-up off my tiles?
The white scale build-up is very common in our area and to most pool owner’s objections, their pool tile always has some degree of scale of build-up. The scale build-up is a mineral deposit which primarily consists of calcium. Light scale build-up can be treated with products that contain corrosive chemicals, which assist with breaking down mineral deposits. We carry different products that will help remove scale build-up including Off The Wall and Bio-Dex 300. A pumice stone can also be used to remove scale build-up. This process is very labor-intensive and you have to be careful not to scratch the surface of the tile. Also, several pumice stones will be needed to finish the job and this will leave several chunks of pumice in your pool.
If your pool tile has heavy scale build-up, the options above will most likely not help. In this situation, we’d recommend hiring a tile cleaning professional. This process consists of blasting the tile with glass beads or mineral salts. After the scale build-up is removed, a protective coating is applied and the excess debris is vacuumed from the pool. This process can typically be done without draining water from the pool.
Should I have a salt chlorinator installed?
Salt chlorinators are essentially an automated chlorine delivery system. A part called a “cell” uses electrolysis to produce chlorine from pool water that has been treated with hundreds of pounds of salt. A common misconception of pools equipped with salt chlorinators is that the pool is chlorine-free; the main difference is how chlorine is delivered to your pool. For instance, a conventional way of adding chlorine to your pool may be through the use of liquid chlorine. If you speak to people in the pool industry, there are various opinions regarding the pros and cons of salt chlorinators. Let’s talk about the pros first:
- Convenience of automatic chlorine generation
- Comfort of saltwater being softer on your skin
- After the upfront costs, adding some salt every year is much cheaper than adding conventional chlorine products
Now let’s talk about the cons:
- The pH needs constant adjustment
- Some scale build-up can occur since the pool water has more alkali compounds in it
- The cell typically lasts five years and the replacement cost can be high
If you are interested in having a salt chlorinator installed, it is important to consider all of your options. Having a salt chlorinator doesn’t make your pool care-free, but it will provide a swimming experience that is very different from a traditional pool.