Leaf Me Alone! & other Winter Hassles

Now that the pool is closed the work really begins. Especially if you have trees around your pool. The simple addition of a leaf net cover can alleviate the hassles of cleaning the cover in the spring. Keeping the pool cover clean of leaf debris make removal of rain water simpler. Once leaves start to rot in the water gathering on the cover, they can work their way into your cover pump. Let me tell you, leaves inside the cover pump are not good. Chemex Pool and Spa Supplies carries leaf net covers in all sizes for in ground and above ground pools. Save clean up time in the spring, and protect your

cover pump by putting on a leaf net cover today before the leaves fall. Remember to keep your leaf rake and pole handy if you don't have a leaf net cover. Scooping leaves once a week will go a long way to keeping the pool cover clean. Remember to remove your cover pump and store it in a location where it won't freeze.

Leaving the pump in the frozen water can damage the pump. Also, remember to check the hose. If your hose is frozen and you turn on your cover pump, there will be no where for the water to go. This back pressure can burn out the pumps motor. Remember to follow us on Twitter @chemexpools, and find us on Facebook. Doing so will guarantee that you are in the know about pool and spa care. There you will also get tips, tricks and money saving coupons.

Winterizing Your Pool

After a long season of enjoying your pool, winterizing may seem like a chore. However, with the proper instructions and supplies, winterizing your pool can be a simple and efficient procedure. Just follow these easy instructions provided for you by the trained technicians at Chemex Pool Supply.

1. Before beginning the winterizing process, have your water tested at Chemex Pool Supply to ensure that your water is in proper chemical balance. Be sure that your FREE/TOTAL CHLORINE, pH, TOTAL ALKALINITY, BASIC CALCIUM HARDNESS and CHLORINE CONDITIONER/ STABILIZER factors are all within range. Now, you can begin to winterize your pool. (REMEMBER: lf your water is not in proper chemical balance when you close the chemicals cannot work to their fullest potential, leaving your pool defenseless against winter weather elements.)
2. To properly winterize your pool, use the CHEMEX WINTERIZING CHEMICAL KIT. This convenient all-inclusive bucket kit comes in three sizes, catering to all pool volumes. Follow the three easy instructions included with the winterizing kit for a simple and effective same-day pool closing. As an alternative to the winterizing kit, use ORTEX CONCENTRATED LIQUID WINTERIZER (at a rate of gallon per 40,000 gallons of water) and LIQUID SUPER­SHOCK (at a rate of l gallon per 10,000 gallons).
3. Vacuum and clean pool thoroughly. « FOR SAND FILTERS: Backwash thoroughly. DIATOMACEOUS EARTH (DE.) FILTERS: Backwash thoroughly. Hose off and clean any inner grid elements (fîngers, cartridges, grid sheets, etc.) with a CARTRIDGE DEGREASER. D0 not add new D. E.
4. INGROUND POOLS Drain the water two inches (2") below the skimmer face plate. Insert a GIZZMO ICE COMPENSATOR PLUG into the threads in the bottom of each of your skimmers, to prevent ice expansion from rupturing your skimmer boxes. Alternatively, by using a BLOW-OUT EXTENSION device, you do not have to drop the Water level in your pool. Instead, this device allows you to blow air (compressor, shop-vac, household vacuum cleaner) through the lines, thereby purging water. Once the lines have been purged, adding LIQUID ANTI-FREEZE is essential to prevent freezing and cracking. Remove all directional fittings (a,k.a. returns, jets, eyeballs, etc.) and insert RUBBER PLUGS or SP-1022C THREADED PLUGS. Remove baskets and weirs, These winterizing aids can be found exclusively at Chemex. (NOTE: No water can be left in containment in your lines. This creates the risk of freezing in your lines, resulting in ruptured and damaged plumbing. This can be a costly mistake.) ABOVE GROUND POOLS: Drain the water two inches (2") below the skimmer face plate. Insert a GIZZMO ICE COMPENSATOR PLUG into the threads in the bottom of each of your skimmers to prevent ice expansion from rupturing your skimmer boxes. Remove the ensuring water is in containment. Also, you may use a FACE PLATE COVER in lieu of the Gizzmo for optimum sealing of the skimmer Remove all directional flow fittings (a.k.a. returns, jets, eyeballs, etc.) and insert RUBBER PLUGS or THREADED PLUGS. Remove baskets and weirs. These winterizing aids are available at Chemex.
5. All water must be drained from your filter and pump. In order to drain your filter, remove the drain plug and the allow water to drain out of the filter tank. All pumps have TWO drain plugs or drain valves, either on the side of or underneath the pump housing. Both must be unscrewed in order to properly drain the water out of the pump (failure to do this will result in damage to the pump housing). It is preferred that all pumps and filters are stored indoors. If that is not possible, protect your filter and pump with a waterproof covering (i.e. a large piece of plastic, etc.) (NOTE: BE SURE TO TURN OFF ELECTRICITY AT CIRCUIT BREAKER PANEL.)
6. Secure the WINTER COVER according to the instructions in the box. Ideally, you should cover rope and float hooks and ladder/handrail sockets with cloth to protect them from being exposed to harsh elements. Check for any sharp objects in the vicinity of the pool which could puncture the cover, and remove them. Always leave one to two inches (1-2") of water on the cover to prevent the cover from blowing and flapping in the wind. To avoid excess weight, which can cause the cover to sag and even fall into the pool, pump water (if over 2") off the cover using a WINTER COVER PUMP, available at Chemex.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR STORING / WÍNTERIZING YOUR ACCESSORIES:

• LADDERS, HANDRAILS, & ROPES must be removed from your pool before closing, and stored in a dry place.
• DIVING BOARDS should be removed and laid FLAT in a cool, dry place.
• SLIDES are not to be removed.
• 
  HEATERS should be drained by removing plugs and/or pressure relief valve. Tip heater to ensure that all water is out. Disconnect pressure switch at the bottom of the unit. (Check manufacturers instructions for further winterizing instructions)

**ATTENTION LOOP­-LOC SAFETY COVER To ensure a clean, clear, and easy pool opening next spring, we recommend that you:

• Float a DISPOSABLE CHLORINE DISPENSER under your cover (1 floater per 20,000 gallons) to increase the amount of sanitizer through the fall and Winter months. Dispenser should be tied off in the MIDDLE of the pool.
  
• Double the recommended amount of LIQUID WINTERIZER used to close your pool.
• On or around May 1: Administer LIQUID SUPER SHOCK treatment (at the rate of l gallon per 10,000 gallons of Water) and ORTEX CONCENTRATED ALGAECIDE to reinstate chemical sanitizer levels even before removing the cover completely.
  
• Connect the filter and run for 1-2 hours several times per week with the cover still on to reduce organic build­up, and to ensure a clear, clean opening.

Don't forget Chemex Pools also has everything you need for you SPA / HOT TUB.

Winterizing Your Chlorine Generator

Your Chlorine Generator is a big investment. That's why you need to treat it with care, and properly winterize it. Doing this will prolong the life of the cell and give you many years of use. There are many Chlorine Generators on the market today. Consult your owners manual for exact instructions on how to care for and winterize your model. We will use the instructions for the Pentair IntelliChlor Generator.

Note: Before acid washing, remove the calcium buildup in cell: Use a garden hose on the jet setting and spray directly into both ends of the cell. Most of this calcium buildup has a slushy consistency and will be blown out of the cell. Once the majority of the calcium has been removed, continue with acid washing which will now be more effective since most of the calcium has been removed.

Use "Poolife Salt Cell Cleaner" to thoroughly clean the cell of your salt chlorine generator. Available at Chemex Pool and Spa Supplies.


1) Acid Wash Cleaning: If the Generator blades show a tendency to scale, it is recommended that every two (2) months the Generator be removed and inspected for scale formation and/or debris on the Generator blades. Some filters allow debris to pass through to the Generator, possibly lodging between the blades in the Generator. A small amount of scale formation is normal. If by looking through the Generator it is observed that there is excessive scale formation between the blades or debris is present, the Generator must be cleaned as follows:

a. Use a high-pressure jet of water from a garden hose. If the blades cannot be reasonably cleaned in this manner, acid cleaning is necessary.
b. To acid clean the Generator blades: Disconnect the AC power from the Power Center. Disconnect the Generator cell communication cable from the Power Center.
c. Mix one (1) quart of muriatic acid with one (1) gallon of tap water in a plastic bucket.
d. Screw the cap with washer and o-ring onto the threaded end of the IntelliChlor cell (the cap, o-ring and washer are provided with the cleaning kit). Place the Generator vertically in a five (5) gallon bucket. Pour the acid solution (as described in step c) into the Generator until the cell blades are just covered. Allow the acid solution to bubble, and to clean the blades. Note: The acid should only be contained inside the Generator covering the blades. Try not to spill the acid on the outside of the Generator. If acid does spill on the outside of the Generator, wash it off with water. A foaming action will begin, which is caused by scale (calcium carbonate) being dissolved from the blades. If rigorous foaming action does not begin, the blades do not need to be cleaned (STOP THE CLEANING PROCESS - go on to step “e). Otherwise, allow the blades to remain immersed in the solution until the foaming has stopped. However, do not leave acid in the Generator for more
than thirty (30) minutes. Excessive acid washing will damage the blades.
e. Remove the Generator from the bucket and place in an empty five (5) gallon bucket. Rinse the inside and outside of the Generator thoroughly with clean tap water and inspect. If deposits are still visible, repeat the acid cleaning process.
f. Rinse the Generator again with clean tap water and inspect.
g. Store the Generator in a clean location for the winter.

Remember to always clean the generator and keep you pool water balanced by bringing it to Chemex Pool and Spa Supplies.

Maintaining Salt Water Pools

Once your salt water pool is up and running, it is critical that you take care of it. By adding simple chemicals to your water, like Sparkle Salt Quest or Poolife Cell Protect, you can extend the life of your chlorine generator. All salt cells require cleaning at least once during the pool season, and at the end of the season. Soaking you generator cells in a mild bath of vinegar and water, you can clean off any calcification that may have built up during use.

Proper chemical balance of your pool water is also a big factor in the operation of your salt generator cell. A slightly lower than normal alkalinity and pH are necessary due to the positive effects of the chlorine generation process. Just ask your water test specialist at the store what levels would be good for your pool.

Remember to maintain the appropriate salt levels required by your generator manufacturer. Always use High Quality salt that is as pure as you can find. It is also recommended to use a slat that has additives such as stain fighters. These stain fighters help in protecting your pool surfaces from staining caused by the electrolysis in the salt cell.

Proper use and maintenence of your salt generator will guarantee long life and quality chlorine generation for year.

If you have any question about this topic or anything pertain to you swimming pool, cuntact us at info@chemex-pools.com.

(coming up next... Robotic Cleaners)

Memorial Day is here!

Well, another Memorial Day has snuck up on us. Make sure to stop by Chemex Pools this week to get your pool up and running. A shock treatment and some algaecide will go a long way to help clean up a pool that has turned to "The Dark Side" over the long winter months. After the pool has been running for 24-48 hours, bring us a water sample and we will balance the pool chemically to insure your sanitizers will function to their ultimate. Give us call at the store or ask us a question here on the blog.