Ten signs that your swimming pool needs to be repaired

10 SIGNS THAT YOUR SWIMMING POOL NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED Blocked pipework Broken lights Discoloured grout If your pool water is unclean and you can't figure out why, it might be because the pipework is blocked with debris which is reducing the flow of water through your filtration system. This will need pro- fessional attention, so call in your pool engineer to resolve the problem. It's always best to get a professional to fix a broken light. But if you decide to repair the pool light yourself, ensure that the electricity is switched off at the main circuit breaker and that nobody else is likely to turn it back on while you're working. However, the combination of electricity and water makes broken pool lights a problem which should ideally be left to the professionals. If the grouting on the pool tiles have become discoloured, an acid wash is recommended to rejuvenate the colour; you may find you also need to re-grout to bring your pool back to its former beauty. Green algae If the pool water has taken on a green tint or there are green coloured growth on the walls or floor of the pool, you have an algae problem. Algae can be manually brushed off the walls, but for severe problems, shock treat the pool with chlorine to destroy the algae, then use an algaecide to prevent Cracks in the walls In concrete pools, leakages can occur due to inadequate sealing, poor structural de- sign or the usage of inferior concrete. Structural enhance- recurrence. Stinging eyes ments are recommended in order to solve this problem in the long run. Another job for your pool company. If swimmers are experiencing skin irritation or stinging eyes, the pH level of the pool is usually the culprit. A healthy pH level is between 7.2 to 7.6. If your pH level is too high, pour pH reducer into the deep end of the pool while the pump is on and the water is circulation. If the pH level is too low, add sodium carbo- nate to the deep end of your pool while the water is cir- culating. Malfunctioning heater Heaters can malfunction in several ways: the heater may not be getting sufficient water flow, there could be an air inflow blockage or there could be issues with the controls. For malfunctioning heaters or old heaters which are energy inefficient, an upgrade to a newer system may be in order. Blocked sand filter White deposits on tiles A good sand filter can last for more than a decade without you needing to change the sand, but for optimal results, it's recommended that you change the sand once every three to five years. If your filter is blocked, do not attempt to replace the sand yourself - leave this to the professionals! White deposits on tiles usually represent an excess build up of calcium. This can occur due to a high pH level, high alkalinity level or high level of calcium in the water. If you have this problem, scrub your tiles frequently with a scale removal product and strive to keep your calcium level below 350 PPM, your pH level between 7.2 and 7.6 and alkalinity level between 80 - 120 PPM. Unexplained water loss If you aren't sure whether your pool is losing water due to evaporation or if it has a leak, perform a bucket test to check. Fill a bucket with water and mark the water line, then place it in the pool and mark the water line outside the bucket. If the water goes down outside the bucket faster than inside it, you've probably got a leak and it's best to call in a pool servicing engineer. 6 TIPS FOR SWIMMING POOL MAINTENANCE Balance the chemicals 1 Check the pH level of the pool on a weekly basis. There are a wide variety of strips and electronic devices available from your service engineer to assist you in this. Clean up regularly For outdoor pools use a skimming net on a daily basis to remove any debris or insects from the top of the pool. When picking items off the floor of the pool with the skimming net, always vacuum thoroughly afterwards. Lightly brush the walls of the pool on a regular basis to prevent algae growth. Shock the pool Always shock the pool after: A pool party Regular use Changing water Wind or rainfall that blows debris into the pool. 3 POOL CLEAR CLEAR Empty the skimmer 4 As a general rule of thumb, you should empty your skimmer basket once a week. However, depending on the rate at which your skimmer basket becomes full, you may wish to adjust accordingly. Clean the surround An unclean pool surround is not only unsightly, but it can also be hazardous. Simply brush the pool surround gently several times a week. Visually inspect the pool 6 It is recommended that you frequently inspect the pool water for clarity, colour and visible contaminants. London Swimming Pool Company offers expert design and technical services with intelligent project management for all levels of swimming pool and spa design and construction. LSPC also services, maintains and refurbishes a wide range pools and spas. LONDON SWIMMING POOL COMPANY www.londonswimmingpools.com LSPC has won 42 major awards since 1992 including the new SPATA category for Innovation. Areas of specialisation include basement pools, moving floor pools and advanced hydrotherapy pools. *Source: http://www.ribaproductselector.com/london-swimming-pool-company-Itd/4745/overview.aspx DESIGNED BY MAMMOTH INFOGRAPHICS | WWW.MAMMOTHINFOGRAPHICS.COM 里