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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-04-26, Page 56Care and maintenance of your pool POgezJ The two most common unin- vited guests at any swimming pool are dirt and bacteria. Add to these a sprinkling of ^ twigs, leaves, animal fur and tither air and human borne contaminants and you have the reasons behind a regular program of pool maintenance. Pool maintenance is relatively easy, according to the National Swimming Pool Institute, and most pool owners prefer the do-it- yourself approach. Self servicing requires from one and a half to four hours a week and keeps costs down to an average of around $20 per month, inclulding parts and chemicals, for the average unheated pool. The main requirements are vacuuming for debris, daily chemical treatment and weekly or bi-weekly brushdowns of pool walls. The owner's major allies in keeping the pool clean are the skimmer, the filtration system and chemical additives. In ad• dition, new innovations are ap- pearing all the time to make the job easier. The skimmer, built into almost all pools, takes leaves and other floating debris off the top of the water. A pool vacuum cleaner, operated by the owner, is used to pick up debris off the bottom. Filtration systems are of two main types, the sand filter through which water passes leaving dirt particles behind, and the diatomaceous --earth (DE) filter which uses minute diatomes (microscopic sea creatures) spread over a membrane to entrap the equally microscopic dirt particles. Care of the filter is relatively simple. Both types of filter must be •backwa.shed approximately every two weeks to remove dirt clogging. Although the DE filter rc'rquires much less water to . backwash, after each back, Washing it must be repacked with more dirt. (A season's supply of about 50 pounds costs around $8). Most pool contractors recommend that the filtration system he in operation at least 12 hours out of every 24 to insure best results. • Chemical additives are usually storing cheinicals. The amount of chemical to add can be determined by testing pool water for chlorine residue and pH or acid -alkaline balance. Simple testing kits are -widely available. Alkaline salts, used in liquid chlorine to help it maintain its limited stability, eventually, build up in pool water and upset the pH balance. Periodically an alkali - neutralizer such as muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate may be added to neutralize increasing alkalinity. Proper pH balance is necessary to insure that the chemical additives react properly, that the proper bac- teria -killing "residual'! is maintained. The ideal pH range for pool water is 7.2 to 7.6. A simple set of rules to follow when manually cleaning the pool are: 1. Skim the pool's surface with a standard leaf skimmer; • 2. Brushdown walls and tile with stiff -bristled tile brush; 3. Clean the skimmer's basket and hair -lint strainer; 4. Vacuum the pool hottom; 5. Clean the filter (when suf- ficient dfrrt has accumulated and the, recirculation flow has decreased); and 6. Hose clean the pool deck. Daily addition of chemicals can he 'avoided by purchase of an automatic chemical dispenser for under $50. The automatic dispenser eliminates the necessity of daily testing far pH balance and can be set to operate at a time when the pool is not in use. Other automatic maintenance devices are also available to make the pool cleaning job simpler. Among these are the automatic cleaning systems which operate on the principle that agitation of the water keeps dirt and algae from adhering to pool walls and bottom, thus making it easier for the filter to process them out. NSPI recommends that anyone considering building a pool should investigate automatic cleaning equipment. Although such equipment will increase initial Cost of the pool, it will help save both time and money later on, the pool institute claims. Portable cleaning systems, operated on the same principle and powered by a garden hose, are available for use in already' constructed pools. A heavy duty vinyl pool cover, averaging around $200 for a rectangular home pool -"Can he a sound maintenance investment. Kept on the pool during the winter months, it will eliminate much of the spring clean up chore. A cover also makes sense in summertime when the owner plans to be gone for two weeks or ,more—both to keep the pool clean and to keep out uninvited swimmers. Special- problems may arise, however, even in well maintained Put • houseplants outside but watch for sun scorch Summer is not far away, but before, you acerae to put your houseplants outdoors, carefully consider their; individual ne.eds. Theo Blom, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and .Food extension horticulturist, says putting some houseplants outdoors may do them more harm than good. "One of the major factors to consider is sun scorch. If you decide to put plants outdoors, don't place them in full all -day -a. daily_.re.qu.isLrnero appending_ ....sun, even if they have been kept upon the traffic in the pool and in sunny windows indoors. The also upon such• factors as hot weather and high winds which create conditions calling for more chemical purifiers. " Chlorine is the most widely used disinfectant, although bromine and iodine are also used. Less than one drop of chlorine in every 1,000,000 drops of pool water is enough, providing the. chemical is 100 percent active. Pool owners should carefully follow the manufacturer's directions in both using and leaves niay scorch .11tue to the direct sunlight, ttr•;Atte drying effect of the wind," Mr. Blom suggests setting even sun -loving plants in partial shade, protected from the wind. Locations such as a screened porch, gazebo or under trees or large shrubs are best. Plant's such as geraniums, azaleas, cacti, succulents, poinsettias, Easter lilies, ficus species and draceanas will take early morning sun. Some of the pools. One of these in algae. Algae commonly appears in two forms: black algae, which makes unsightly spots on pool walls, and green floating algae. Both are normally taken care of by a I regular maintenance program, but stubborn cases may be treated by vigorous brushing of spots, followed by application of spot killer and use of special inexpensive algaecides. foliage plants should he kept in a shady location. It is important to remember that -hotrs-cls1ants-undergo- shock when taken outdoors, Some horticulturists recommend that.. houseplants be introduced to the .outdoors gradually, to allow them time to get acclimatirt'd. Indoor• gardeners moving their. houseplants outside for the summer should remember to treat each houseplant according to its individual light: 'and moisture requirements. For ,,practical purposes, leave the plant in the pot when putting it outdoors., Before bringing houseplants indoors in the fall, be sure to chec.k for insects and disease. Remove spent blooms Spent blooms detract from the attractiveness of the flower bed, and also sap energy from the plant. Remove spent blooms to. encourage new blooms. Another problem, red -brown discolored water, is caused by a high concentration of dissolved iron. Disinfectants may oxidize this dissolved iron, leaving rust particles in the pool and giving Use oxidizing sanitizer and run the filtration system for 48 hours straight to clear out the particles. Should particles settle to the bottom, they should tie vacuumed up immediately .to avoid staining the pool hottom. Cedarhill Farm' & Garden Centre Lucknow Phone 528-3017 Have Got A Selection for you •Outdoor bulbs & indoor plants -*Bulk & packaged- seeds= •Shrubs & fruit trees, order now •Packaged roses, now available LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT FOR RENT Many items in stock which would make good Motherl Day Gifts Watch for the Grand Opening Of the Super Scoop in Lucknow Highway 4, South CLINTON 482-9600 (A division of P. & F. Lawn & Sports - Listowel) EVERYBODY INTO THE POOL: Backyard pools provide fun for all ages. An •above -ground pool suitable for splashing costs as little as a few hun- r Y dred dollars. Whatever its cost, though, your pool will pay for itself in no' time in terms of, pleasure, says the National Swimming Pool Institute. Frederick H. Jackson MANAGER (DOC) Is your rider's engine hard to ;:tart? Does .your push -mower have no power and won't rut grass worth a hoot? Does your Chain Saw cough alnd sputter and won't cut butter? Then bring It Into "The Old Pro" Small Engine CII c, and ask "Doc" to apply a lasting cure. WE GUARANTEE ALL OUR WORK , We use only genuine factory parts. Exa pies aro Briggs and Stratton, Stihl; Homelite, Tecumseh, Lawson, Lawn -Boy, Kohler, etc. And, "Doc" has 40 years of engineering experience to back up his guarantee. Small Engine Repair is our Business, NOT our sideline.