Algae are the most basic form of plant life, and its spores are usually carried into your pool water by wind and rain. Since swimming pool algae spores are microscopic, chances are you won’t even notice them in the water at first. But if it’s been raining or there’s been a lot of wind, and you notice that the water lacks sparkle, you should take action immediately. If not, the algae spores can take root in the grouting between the tiles, around light fixtures, in the mouth of the skimmer or in the corners of the steps.

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As it grows, it will change from green to yellow, and then to brown. Eventually, if left, it will become black and spotty and can stain your pool.

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With anything to do with your pool, prevention is better than the cure. Sufficient levels of chlorine will keep algae from growing, but once it’s noticed a harsh treatment is required, usually a shock treatment using chlorine then an algaecide, and then a good hand vacuum to remove the dead algae.

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Brandon Hutcheson

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Pool Safety
 

Here’s a link to some important information from Health Canada: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/pools-piscine-eng.php – I highly recommend you check it out.

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Brandon Hutcheson

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More about Pool Safety and what you can do!

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Basically swimming pools are open bodies of water which are constantly influenced by the environment and the swimmers using the pool.

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Rain, wind and sunshine all influence the purity and clarity of the water.  Mostly it’s the people using the pool who introduce foreign particles such as sweat, lotions, oils and yes urine into the water.

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In maintaining a clean, healthy pool we need to add some type of sanitizing agents to keep the pool water clean and clear, and to prevent illness. This is usually achieved through the use of chlorine, which has also been shown to be carcinogenic. Alternative agents, such as our line of green products can greatly reduce the amount of chlorine and other chemicals your swimming pool requires.

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The balance and quantity of chemicals we put into your pool is extremely important from a health point of view. On the one hand we have bacteria, viruses and fungus which can potentially cause illness, and on the other hand, the swimming pool chemicals we add can cause physical harm. Unfortunately, we can only see the relatively harmless yellow/green algae and the black algae that are present in the pools water, the rest…the really harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi remains invisible to the naked eye. By keeping a regular pool maintenance schedule we can prevent these harmful bacteria, and ensure a healthy and enjoyable time by the poolside.

To keep your pool clean and clear, we concentrate our efforts on two major areas. Maintaining and adjusting the chemical balance of the water, and removing any unwanted dirt or foreign particles from the swimming pool.

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The chemical balance of the water cannot be maintained by adding chemicals when we remember to, we need to regularly test the water and adjust the levels, by adding any required chemicals depending on the results.

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To remove unwanted particulates from the pool, we rely on a water filtration and circulation system. Regular vacuuming and brushing of our pools ensures a minimum of foreign particles in the water, and when necessary we clean the filter itself or replace it.

Keeping a regular swimming pool maintenance program can go a long way in helping to prevent illnesses, and avoid any water problems. Prevention is better than the cure, and a lot easier.

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Your Pool Filtration System

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One of the most important things in swimming pool maintenance is the filtration system. It’s extremely important to keep the water clean and circulating to filter out particulates. There are many types of filters available for your swimming pool water. Diatomaceous earth, anthracite, Sand and gravel and cartridge types are the filter mediums most commonly employed. Swimming pool filtration systems push water through tiny passageways, thus filtering it. Any particles larger than these passageways are trapped and then separated from the main body of water. This process continues until all of these passageways are blocked, at which point the filter must be cleaned and the cycle repeated.

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Monitoring  Your Pool
 

Check your pool for the following:
 

• are your returns very weak?

• is the automatic vacuum not working?

• is the water clarity starting to look dull?
   

If any of these conditions exist, it’s probably time to clean the filters. Most pools only need this done twice a year, depending on the number people who use the pool.

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Brandon