Anti-Vortex plate for Pool Suction Lines-Parts

The Anti-Vortex cover was a 1970 addition to the pool industry. Originally designed to prevent vortices in the suction line so the pump will not suck air, causing the pump to run dry and burn out. It also would prevent the suction from making contact with the body and hold the victim under water causing them to drown. The plate is attached to the opening of the suction line by screws. Side wall installation is easy but the main drain is more difficult. The water can be drained or one can dive into the water and attach it while holding their breath. In Jacuzzis the suction is great for the jet suction line, so a cover is a must. There is a law that these covers be used in commercial pools, but it is a good idea to use them in a residential pool. All in all, they are good at preventing a vortex where a pump sucks air and keeps the swimmer safe from the potentially dangerous qualities of the suction intake.

Leaks in the Plumbing

Sometimes leaks are evident in the plumbing of the filter system. One can hire a plumber to do the work at a nominal fee, or you can fix the leak yourself. There are products on the market such as A&B Epoxy and Fiber Glass Pipe Wrap. I just used the Wrap and found it easy and sufficient for the low pressure that is in the filter system . There are plastic gloves with the Wrap kit and you follow the directions supplied. After letting the Wrap dry, the filter can be turned on and no more leak. Very inexpensive and it works. Whatever you choose, the leaks need attention, for a leak free system is better. Enjoy the pool...

Solar Pool Blanket: Equipment

The solar pool blanket is a very good product. It holds in the heat, produces heat, maintains the water level and holds the chemical balance for a longer time. The blanket is a clear plastic with bubbles that magnify the suns rays and transfers the heat to the water. If one goes to the expense of using the pool heater, the blanket holds the heat in the water and does not let it evaporate as fast. The blanket prolongs the use of the pool, but a system for removal is up to the users. The service price is usually increased because of the time it takes for one man to remove it and keep it clean. There is a Reel available to remove the blanket that makes it easy for one person, otherwise the blanket can be left in the pool and folded and tied to the side. The blankets last a couple of years, and the savings are worth it. They come in different thickness' which determine the price, the thicker last longer. Enjoy the pool with free heat that the sun produces. Have a happy and safe time in the pool.

H2O: Pure water: Pool Chemicals

There is a devise one installs on the filter system that generates Pure Water with electrolysis. The sanitizers produced are oxygen and hydrogen and copper for algae control. I have taken care of pools for 30 years and I feel that chlorine is the only sanitizer that works. Being from the desert where temperatures are high, water is vulnerable. Algae grows in warm water and the temperature of the pool water reaches 90 degrees plus, a perfect haven for algae. Copper is great for algae control, but do oxygen and hydrogen really sanitize the water? Where water temperature is stable, it might work, but chlorine has been the choice of sanitizing water that comes from our taps for drinking. I am for pure water, but sanitizing is important to kill viruses and pathogens and chlorine works. Enjoy the pool with whatever works, but be sure to sanitize the water.

Fresh Water: Drain the water in the pool.

Every four to five years, the draining of the pool water is good to help maintain the proper chemical balance. Through the years, hard particles stay in the water, they don't evaporate, so draining is the option. A chlorine wash may be necessary if algae is a problem. Do not mix the chlorine and the acid for that makes a lethal gas. Rubbing stubborn algae spots and using chlorine can brighten the surface of the plaster. It is not like an acid wash, where a thin layer of plaster is removed, but prepares the pool for fresh water. After the water has been replaced, adding conditioner(cyanuric acid) helps to hold the chemicals in the water so they can do the work set out for them. The pool is now ready for everyone to enjoy.

Acid Wash-Chemicals

There are two commonly used acid washes , no drain and drain the pool. The no-drain acid wash is where the water remains in the pool and is prepared by adding acid to the water, about 12 gallons. The water becomes very caustic which loosens the stain on the plaster. By brushing the pool every day with the system off, the loose plaster comes off and settles to the bottom. Brushing the pool is necessary for good results. Use a stiff bristled brush over the entire pool. After a week or when the appearance of the pool is better, the adding of soda ash to the water is used to raise the ph to about 7.4, several pounds are necessary. The system can now be turned on and the residue vacuumed out, preferably by a porta-vac. This process works well where the draining of pools is mandated by the city and where time is not a factor. The draining acid wash is where the water is drained and the plaster is washed with an acid solution with about 50% water, also a little tile soap can be added to help it stay on the walls. Using an acid wash brush, the plaster is scrubbed until the desired appearance is achieved. A pump is used during the process to keep the pool empty of water and the acid solution. This technique takes a couple of days and the end results are better. The pool can now be filled with fresh water and conditioned. After the chemical balance is adjusted in the water, the clean pool can now be used. A clean looking pool is a welcome environment for the avid swimmer.

Algae in Swimming Pools

There are two common kinds of algae in pools, the black algae and the yellow algae. The black is a stubborn growth that grows in spots on the plaster. To get rid of this growth, one would have to brush it with a steel brush or sprinkle pure chlorine powder on the affected area. Be careful not to allow the wind to blow the powder on your body for it is very irritable to the skin. There is a devise that will hold a chlorine tab that attaches to the pole, and the tab is rubbed directly on the spot. There are commercial products in liquid form that contain silver and copper that works with time. The yellow algae grows all over the pool and can be brushed off easily. Ammonia is the best solution for this growth. One gallon of ammonia with two gallons of chlorine works well, but this method does not allow swimmers to use the pool for several days. Ammonia sulfate (the fertilizer) in dry form with chlorine (two lbs of ammonia and two gallons chlorine) works and does not restrict the use of the pool. Yellow Out is a commercial product with ammonia sulfate in it, but the expense is more than the fertilizer. The task of keeping a pool algae free, is part of the servicing contract, along with a sparkling clean pool to swim in.