• Losing Water
• Green Pools
• Pool Opening & Closing
• Pool Maintenance
• Water Testing for Pools & Spas
• Spa Questions

Question:
How do I know if the water loss from my pool is from evaporation or a leak?
Once I have determined if the leak is in the pool and not evaporation, how do I know if it is in the liner or the lines?

Answer:
On average and under normal circumstances your pool will loose about ¼ inch per day from evaporation, splash out, and backwashing. Using a solar blanket will reduce evaporation. To test if your pool is leaking, mark the level of the pool water. Fill a bucket with water and mark the water level in the bucket then place it on your deck on top of your skimmer. Leave it for 24 hours, then compare how much the water went down in the pool compared to the bucket. If the water loss is greater in the pool then you have a leak.

If there is a leak, fill the pool to the proper level and mark.
Run the pump for 12 hrs. check the level and mark. Measure the loss and record it.
Turn the pump off for 12 hrs. Mark the level of the water, measure the loss and record it.
If you lose more water with the pump on, you have a return leak, and need a pressure test.

If you lose the same amount with the pump on or off, you have a hole in the liner or main drain line in the pool, and you need a diver to locate and repair the problem.

Please call Presto Pools regarding our LEAK DETECTION and POOL DIVE LOCATE AND REPAIR services: 905-876-2211

Question:
My pool water is green. I think I have algae, what should I do?
Is it a good idea to drain my vinyl liner pool and start with fresh water?
How can I reduce the chances of my water going cloudy or green?

Answer:
You should never drain a pool with a liner. The water is what is holding the liner in place.  Once the pool is empty the liner will shift and shrink and will not fit properly when refilling the pool. There are other ways to get your water looking fresh again.

The 3 things that prevent algae growth is:
1. Circulation: the longer you leave you pump running the better it is for your water.  We recommend you leave your pump running 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Swimming pool pumps are made to run constantly.  It is actually cheaper for the hydro to run the pump constantly then it is to clean up an algae problem that may occur from lack of circulation.
2. Filtration: As soon as your pump is shut off, not only do you loose circulation but you also loose filtration. Keep an eye on your filter to make sure it is running properly and that sand filters are backwashed when needed.
3. Clorination: It doesn’t matter what system you are using, weather it be chlorine, bromine, or a salt water system, be sure to always have the proper sanitizer levels in your pool.  This will keep algae at bay.

Also if you have a solar blanket, be sure not to leave it on longer than 2 days straight, especially in really hot weather. This smothers the water and increases the chance of algae growth. 

If your pool is green or yellowish on the floor or walls, or green cloudy, or white cloudy, you have algae.
If the water is clear but has a greenish tint you may have copper in the water.

Have a water test!
In order to kill the algae, double or even triple shock the pool. Add Erase or Polyguard to the pool. This will kill the algae plant. 

TIP
Hook up the vacuum hose and head without the pole and put the head in the deep end of the pool, hookup the vacuum hose into the skimmer this may speed up the clearing of the pool water.

VACUUMING
Vacuum the pool on waste or drain. NEVER vacuum on filter or backwash, and only when the pool water is clear.
If the pool does not clear in 48 hrs. put PowerFloc into the pool. This will drop the cloud to the bottom of the pool. Then follow the vacuuming instructions.

Question:
When is the best time to open or close my pool?
Circulation is one of the key components to having clean water. The longer the water is stagnant the bigger chance you will have of getting algae. Therefor we recommend that the earlier you open the pool in the spring and the later you close it in the fall, the better it is for your water.  For most pool owners the swimming pool is a feature of their property so looking at a clean operating swimming pool is much more pleasing than a winter cover. However, every pool is different so there is no set time when the openings and closings should be done. Make the decision on your families interests and particular situation.

Answer:
Download our Pool Closing Manual in PDF.

Question:
I’ve never owned a pool before is there some basic guidelines on how to maintain it?

Answer:
Download our Pool Operational Manual in PDF.

Question:
When should I have my pool or spa water tested?

Answer:
Your Pool should be tested daily to keep the Pool water in proper balance (this will only take 5 min. and is very important)

• Take your water sample from at least 1 ft. below the surface away from the skimmer  and the returns (jets are where the water shoots back into the pool)
• Add the test chemical to the water sample as directed in the test kit
• Compare the results of the test by holding it up to something white not the sunlight
• Try to maintain a chlorine or bromine of 1.5 - 3.0 ppm 
• Try to keep the PH between 7.4 - 7.6 (7.5 being ideal)
• Once every 2 weeks  take a water sample into Presto Pools for a complete Pool Water Analysis to ensure proper Pool water balance. If you are a new pool owner bring a sample in every week until you are comfortable with your pool.

Question:
How often should I clean my filters?

Answer:
Be sure to chemically clean your filters every 2 weeks. Use BioGuard filter brite to break down the oils on the filter. Just spraying the filter off with water is not enough and won’t properly take the oils off. 

Question:
How often should I drain my Spa?

Answer:
Every spa is different, and it all depends on how often it is used, the water that is in the tub, and how many people are using it.  Normally we would recommend draining the spa every 3 to 4 months. As the water gets older more chemicals are required to maintain proper water chemistry and it can become more expensive to run. Have Presto Pools do a free water test in the store and we can tell you if it is time to drain your spa.