Wildfire Smoke & Caring for Your Pool

Wildfire Smoke can have a much bigger impact on swimming pools than most people realize. Even if you don't see ash falling, the fine particles and airborne contaminants eventually settle into the water and can increase the demand on your sanitizer.

 

Here's what happens to your pool water:

·         Higher chlorine demand: Smoke contains organic compounds that chlorine must oxidize, so free chlorine is consumed more quickly.

·         Ash and fine particles: Tiny particles settle on the water's surface and eventually end up in the filter, making it work harder.

·         Increased phosphates: Ash can introduce phosphates, which feed algae if sanitizer levels aren't maintained.

·         Water discoloration: Heavy smoke or ash can make water appear dull or cloudy.

·         Filter loading: Cartridges clog faster, sand filters require more frequent backwashing, and DE filters need more frequent cleaning.

 

BioGuard recommendations:

If you're caring for a pool during periods of heavy wildfire smoke, these BioGuard products work well together:

1. Maintain a higher sanitizer level

·         Extra tablets, liquid, or granular shock to maintain higher sanitizer level.

·         Oxysheen can be used to help oxidize contaminants chlorine cannot kill.

2. Improve filtration

·         Pool Complete 911 – Uses an enzyme and clarifier to improve water clarity and reduce the build ups of oils, carbon, and organics.

·         Polysheen Blue – Helps clump together small particles so the filtration system can remove them more effectively.

3. Control phosphates

·         ZeroPhos – removes phosphate build ups in water. Phosphates are a great food source for algae.

4. Prevent algae

·         Algae Complete – A non-foaming algaecide that provides additional protection when sanitizer demand is unusually high.

 

Maintenance tips during wildfire smoke (Safely):

• Skim the surface daily (if safe).

• Vacuum visible ash before it breaks down.

• Brush the pool daily (if safe).

• Run the pump 24 hours a day while smoke is heavy.

• Clean or backwash the filter whenever pressure increases 8–10 psi above normal clean pressure.

• Test chlorine and pH every day or two instead of weekly.

• Be sure to monitor your own health first before your pool. If prolonged exposure to air quality at this level is troublesome, please use discretion.

 

 

Filter Cleaning Tips

To a large extent, as the filter goes, so goes the pool and spa. With that in mind, here's a short review of five basics of filter efficiency that will help keep your pools and spas clean and clear.

1) Clean the Filter on Schedule

Regular cleanings are essential to maintain proper circulation, remove debris that is sitting in the filter clogging flow and consuming chlorine as it goes by, and to help prevent degradation of the filter itself, whether it's sand, cartridge or DE.

2) Slow Down

Slower circulation speeds provided by variable-speed pumps help the filter in different ways, notably by keeping debris from being embedded. When water is moving continuously and more slowly through the filter, it allows the filter to operate more efficiently to keep the pool water cleaner, cleared and the water chemistry more balanced

3) Use a Filter Cleaning Product on Cartridges

Week to week, a good spray-down can remove debris from a cartridge filter and get it back in action quickly, but on a regular basis, cartridge filters need a good chemical cleaning to restore their effectiveness. "For cartridge filters, in addition to rinsing, specially formulated filter cleaners are necessary. But, using an enzymatic cleaner to get rid of oils and grease before using an acid cleaner can be of great benefit," says Jamie Novak, brand manager, BioLab.

4) Purge the Plumbing

Most people are unaware that in the pipes of pools and spas, biofilm grows along the walls and becomes a fortress for bacteria, which can cause problems. An enzymatic product with surfactants to dislodge and displace that build up will move it through to the main body where it can be filtered or treated with shock.

5) Replace the Filter Media

Of course, whether you're using sand, diatomaceous earth (DE) or cartridge media, nothing lasts forever. Everything needs to be replaced at some point. Pool or spa owners using cartridge filters should have a spare set available to rotate cartridges each time they are rinsed or cleaned, as it is important to replace with dry filters every time. Sand filter media should be replaced every five to seven years, ensuring that the sand particles still have the sharp edges necessary to catch and remove contaminants.

Meticulous care of filters is an investment in your pool. In the case of filters, you're putting in the time and effort to keep filters in prime working condition, so they will keep your pool clean!

Rain, Explained

A little rain never hurt anybody...but a lot can kill your pool chemistry. Most pros have seen a storm turn perfectly clear water cloudy or green, or knock its chemical balance sideways. So, what exactly happens to the pool when it rains?

The answer, of course, is complicated — but understanding some of the basics can make aftermath maintenance easier.

Rain water is not completely pure. There could be anything in the atmosphere at the time, including dust, smoke, industrial pollutants, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and airborne organic material that would be encapsulated by the rain water. There contaminants can steal the attention of your pool’s chemicals. The more contaminants in the water, the higher the chlorine demand — and at lowered levels, chlorine isn’t as effective as it should be. Additionally, heavy rains can create run-off that can enter into your pool.

If a storm leaves the pool looking swampy, it can because rainwater can foster the right conditions for algae growth. Simply stated, rain and rain run-off can dilute your sanitization levels which leaves more room for bacteria and algae to grow.

An extra pre-emptive effort will ease the damage control later. Anticipating the effects of a storm can help to quickly put pool chemistry back in range after a storm has altered it. Alicia Stephens, education and training manager at Biolab says, “Don’t just let the pool get bad and then clean it up, if you have the right chemicals in there, it never gets bad in the first place, because it’s just cleaning everything up as it comes in.” Stephens continues, “Always, always, always shock the pool before a storm if you’re able to, that will build your chemistry up to where it’s a little more forgiving of whatever’s going to get washed into the pool during the storm.”

All in all, Colley’s Pools & Spas has experienced technicians and staff who can answer most any questions regarding how rain water may effect your pool’s water chemistry. Give us a call!

How to Test your Water with a Testing Strip

Testing your pool is a regular and integral part of pool ownership. It’s essential to maintaining water that is crystal clear and algae free. It’s also important to maintain a good balance of chemicals in your pool because improper water chemistry can cause damage to your pool and equipment. Beyond that, imbalanced water can cause eye irritation and hair discoloration.

Test at least once each week, more if you are using the pool heavily. You may want to test 2-3 times a week if you are new to pool maintenance until you get used to the fluctuations. It can help to pick one day a week to routinely test your water.

Process:

1. Use a clean, empty cup

2. Take the sample in the middle of the pool away from jets and skimmers

3. Dip container upside down until elbow deep, then take the sample

Luckily, our 4 retail locations (Hamburg, Clarence, Fredonia and Erie, PA) have complimentary, computerized water testing stations so you don’t even need to worry about doing your own water tests! Come in with a water sample and get your water tested by our state-of-the-art ALEX water testing system! An added bonus when bringing your water sample in to one of our retail stores for testing is that a knowledgeable staff member will help you select the chemicals you need to properly balance your pool. As an added incentive, 4 times a year we run a special that is 10% off needed balancing chemicals when you bring your water sample in for testing!