Hair line cracks which may develop
over a period of time are not
uncommon. They only penetrate the
gel coat and do not effect the
pool's structure or result in
leakage. Scratches and hair-line
cracks are repairable. Contact your
fiberglass pool dealer for more
information. Most of the dirt and
debris that sinks to the bottom of
your pool can be brushed toward and
into the main drain and will be
trapped in the filter. Heavy
amounts of dirt and debris should be vacuumed out.
Potential Hydrogen (pH)
is the relative acidity or base of your
pool's water. For example: low pH would
be acidic and high pH would be base. The
human tear has a pH value of 7 and is
classified as neutral. The ideal pH
value for your fiberglass pool is 7.2 to
7.4. pH levels should be checked weekly.
Total Alkalinity (T.A.) is composed
of the minerals in your pool water that buffer pH and is measured in parts per million (1
P.P.M.= 1 part per million parts of water). If the mineral levels are too high, then the
pH will constantly drift up. If the mineral levels are too low, the pH will drift down or
fluctuate. The proper total alkalinity level for your fiberglass pool is 70 to 80 P.P.M.
and should be checked weekly.
Calcium Hardness
(C.H.)
is the relative hardness of your
pool water, and is measured in
P.P.M. If the water is too soft,
it will be aggressive and erode
pool equipment such as heaters,
ladders and even the gel coat
finish. If the water is too
hard, deposits will form on the
pool equipment and finish. 300
to 350 P.P.M. is the proper
hardness for your fiberglass
pool and should be checked
weekly.
Total Dissolved Solids (T.D.S.) are
the sum total of all materials in solution in your pool water, and is measured in P.P.M.
TDS should be checked annually by a pool store professional or service company. TDS.
above 1,500 P.P.M. reduces sanitizer effectiveness and causes the water to become
abrasive. Note: During periods of heavy rain or high swimmer loads, all of the above water
chemistry valves, except T.D.S. should be checked more frequently.
When tests show all the above water
chemistry items to be within the
recommended ranges, it is in
balance. Balanced water will be
clean, clear, blue and sparkles. Eye
and skin irritation will be reduced,
and pool equipment and gel coat
surface life will be extended.
Balanced water improves sanitation
effectiveness and reduces or
eliminates the necessity of adding
costly water chemistry supplements.
Prolonged improper water chemistry
and high sanitizer levels can lead
to pool equipment and gel coat
damage which may not be covered by
your fiberglass pool warranty.
Start
Up Water Chemistry Summary
Adjust pH level to 7.4 - 7.6 by using
testing kit supplied with your
fiberglass pool.
Add Chlorine Stabilizer per instructions
on label of stabilizer container.
Super chlorinate with chlorine per
instructions on label of chlorine
container.
Turn on your pump which will initiate
filtration. Run the pump continuously
for 24 hours.
Clean your filter medium by hosing off
your cartridges or backwashing.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until water is
clear.
Installation
It is very important to consult the owners manual and
manufacturer of the fiberglass pool. Installation of a fiberglass pool normally
should be done by professional installers, but many people have done the installation them
selves.
All
of the above information was provided by
San Juan Pools.