Swimming Pool Tips

Pool Covers

• Using a pool cover regularly reduces evaporation by 90 to 95%.
• Without a cover, an average pool (18 feet by 36 feet) loses about 1 inch of water per week in the peak of summer. This can add up to an annual water loss of 7,000 gallons of water.
• One of the most important benefits of using a pool cover can be enhanced safety.

Indication of a Pool Leak

• Algae or other water quality problems can occur when a leak prevents the water level and chemistry from staying constant.
• Loose tiles or cracks in the pool deck.
• Cracks and gaps in the bond beam or water-saturated soils in the area around the pool, pumps, or plumbing.

Pool Leak Test

Test Number 1

• Algae or other water quality problems can occur when a leak prevents the water level and chemistry from staying constant.
• Loose tiles or cracks in the pool deck.
• Cracks and gaps in the bond beam or water-saturated soils in the area around the pool, pumps, or plumbing.

Test Number 2

• Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of the pool at the skimmer.
• Check the mark 24 hours later.
• Your pool should lose no more than ¼ inch per day. Otherwise, a leak is indicated.

Test Number 3

• Place a 5-gallon bucket filled with pool water on a pool step (the level in the bucket should be even with the pool level).
• Mark the level of the water in the bucket and on the side of the pool.
• After 24 hours if there is a greater drop in the pool level than in the bucket, a leak in the pool is indicated.

Determining the Location of the Leak

• If the water level settles at the skimmer, the leak is probably in the filtration system
• If the water level settles at the light, the leak is probably there.
• If the water drops below the light, then there may be a leak in the drain at the bottom of the pool.

Filters

Due to their ease of maintenance cartridge filters are a good alternative to diatomaceous earth or sand filters that typically use up to 500 gallons of water per backwash.