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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.