How to Properly Maintain Your Loop Loc Cover

If you have a Loop Loc cover, you know it is the strongest pool cover on the market. While it is virtually maintenance free, there are steps you should take to promote the longevity of your Loop Loc cover.

1. Proper Storage: When storing your Loop Loc, fold it up and roll it into the provided storage bag. Hang the bag on a hook or nail (or any way to keep it off the floor). By keeping your Loop Loc off the floor, you are allowing the cover to drain through the bag as well as protect it from rodents. Rodents notoriously like to make a home out of pool covers; chewing holes and causing rips.

2. Handle with Care: Loop Loc covers can be bulky and heavy, but it is important to handle them with care. It is best to avoid dragging the over across the deck or placing it near any sharp edges which will damage the cover.

3. Snow Support: During Western New York’s inevitably cold and snowy winters, your water level should be 15”-18” below the top of the pool. The water (and eventually ice) will act as a support for your Loop Loc when the snow accumulates. This support will help relieve the stress the weight of the snow is placing on the cover.

4. Stay Off: While Loop Loc is touted to be able to hold an elephant, it is best to keep off of your cover to maintain its strength. Not only can being on the cover put stress on it, but pets and other animals can put rips in the cover with their paws/claws.

There are just a few helpful tips that will allow you to get the most out of your Loop Loc cover! Visit the Loop Loc page on our website for more information: www.colleys.com/loop-loc-covers

Backwashing your Sand Filter System

The purpose of the sand filter is to collect dirt and debris from the pool water. Dirt is collected in the filter as the water flows through the control valve (multiport valve) at the top of the filter and directed downward onto the surface of the filter sand bed. Dirt and debris are collected in the sand and clean water is returned to the swimming pool. As more dirt/debris collects in the filter, the pressure in the filter rises and the water flow back to the pool slows down. A pressure gauge is located on the side of the multiport valve.

Your filter should be backwashed once a week or more often if you notice a 10 psi increase on your gauge before your normal backwash date. Backwashing allows the sand filter to clean itself of the collected dirt and debris.

How to Backwash the Filter

1. Turn pump, “off”.

2. Set multiport valve to the, “backwash” position; rotate the valve handle in a clockwise motion always.

3. Turn pump, “on”.

4. Allow the, “backwash” cycle to operate in 2-3 minute cycles. If the water does not run clear by 3 minutes, shut down and repeat.

5. Turn pump, “off”.

6. Set the multiport valve to the , “rinse” position; rotate the valve handle in a clockwise motion always.

7. Turn pump, “on”.

8. Allow the, “rinse” cycle to operate for 30 seconds.

9. Turn the pump, “off”.

   1. NOTE: The pump must be off before moving the multiport valve settings. Turning the settings with the pump running may damage the multiport valve.

10. Set multiport valve to the, “filter” position; rotate the valve handle in a clockwise motion always.

11. Turn pump, “on”.

12. Open the manual air bleeder (pressure gauge) on the multiport valve, close the air bleeder once water emerges from the air bleeder.

This is a general guide to backwashing your sand filter system and is by no means a, “one size fits all” approach. If you are unsure of the steps to backwash your sand filter, it is always best to consult your local Colley’s expert.

Hot Tub Maintenance Tips

The fall can be the most relaxing time of year to use your Marquis hot tub, so it’s important to keep your hot tub in working order! Here are a few tips for maintaining your hot tub!

Clean the Filter(s): This is one of the most important aspects of maintaining your spa. A regular cleaning routine will help your spa’s filtration system run as efficiently as possible. It can also help to extend the lifespan of your filter(s), which may help to save money in the long run. How often you clean the filters depends on how much you use your hot tub.

Keep a spare set of hot tub filters in a clean, dry place. When you remove the dirty filters from your hot tub for cleaning and air drying, swap in your spare set from storage. Once your dirty filters are cleaned and air dried, they become your spare set for storage. Repeat this process as necessary.

Rinse Off First: Prior to entering your spa, if possible, rinse off completely in the shower. Showering removes skin residue like deodorant, lotion and makeup which can impact the cleanliness of your hot tub. Additionally, rinsing your bathing suit reduces residue from detergent and fabric softeners.

Top it Off: Regular spa usage and evaporation will gradually reduce your spa’s water level. Without people in the spa, the water should reach about two thirds of the way up the skimmer opening. If you notice the pumps “surging”- meaning repeatedly starting and stopping- it can mean your water level is too low. 

Why a Dolphin Robotic Vacuum May be a Good Idea

If you have a pool and clean it regularly, you’re probably well aware what a pain it can be to install and use traditional pool cleaning devices. Whether you have a suction cleaner that connects to your skimmer or a pressure cleaner that connects to the pump, you spend your time installing fittings, cutting and assembling hoses and untangling hoses and cords. It can be a chore!

Not only can traditional pool cleaning devices waste your time, but they can also waste your money. A typical suction cleaner can cost you up to $400 of electricity in a year. Pressure cleaners use even more energy, for a whopping yearly cost of about $650.

A Dolphin robotic pool vacuum from Maytronics is an independent cleaning machine that is “plug-and-play”. It doesn’t rely on the pool’s filter or pump, and it doesn’t need any additional pumps or hoses to get your pool clean. Just drop it into the water and turn it on.

Not only are these robotic pool vacuums easier to use—they are also up to 90% more efficient than the suction and pressure cleaners on the market today. A robotic cleaner uses far less energy for a total yearly electricity cost of only about $20.

The latest generation of Maytronics pool vacuums are cloud-connected, WIFI enabled, remote controlled and easily programmable, giving you the ability to clean your pool from anywhere, anytime.

So, stop in to your local Colley’s location and find out why a Dolphin from Maytronics is the right fit for your pool!