General Information

The gel-coat in fiberglass pools is less porous than vinyl or concrete pools which makes it easier to clean and keep clean.

Every fiberglass pool owner has to perform maintenance on their pool. Whether they are hiring a pool company to do it for them, or handling the fairly simple routine required to keep their fiberglass pool safe, beautiful and clear.

The gel-coat in fiberglass pools is less porous than vinyl or concrete pools which makes it easier to clean and keep clean.

WEEKLY CHECK LIST

• Clean leaf basket in skimmer box.
• Observe and clean lint pot in pump.
• Check pressure on filter- clean if necessary.
• Brush pool walls and floor.
• Vacuum pool if necessary.
• Test pool water for Chlorine and pH. Chlorine should be 1.0 to 1.5ppm . pH should be 7.0 to 7.2 , Stabilizer 30 to 50, Calcium hardness 150 to 275 and Alkalinity 60 to 100
• Vacuum Pool and brush down walls and stairs

BACKWASHING SAND FILTERS

• Turn off pump.
• Depress handle on top of filter and turn to the “backwash” position.
• Turn on pump and run until water in observation bowl is clear.
• Turn off pump
• Turn handle to “rinse” or “filter to waste” position.
• Turn on pump and run for 20 seconds.
• Turn off pump and return handle to “filter” position. Do not turn on pump for 5 minutes. (This allows the sand to settle back into place and prevent further dirt to escape to the pool).

TO CLEAN CARTRIDGE FILTER

• Turn off pump.
• Remove cap from top of filter carefully remove cartridges and hose clean with good water pressure.
• Replace cartridges, replace cap (do not over tighten)
• 4 With pump running (bleed air from top of cartridge with bleed screw).
• NOTE: When 0 -Ring becomes dry, smear with silicon grease (not petroleum jelly)

WATER TESTING

In your pool handover kit you have a test kit with full instructions. It is important to familiarize yourself with the basic Chlorine, pH and Total Alkalinity tests. If unsure, you can take a water sample to your local pool shop twice a month f o r professional testing.

NOTE: For the best long term service from your BARRIER REEF Composite pool.

Maintain your pH level at between 7.0 and 7.2. To maintain this level when using a salt chlorinator system, it is normal for your pH test to show a need for the addition of Hydrochloric Acid (Pool Acid), particularly in summer conditions. It may need regular doses of 200-300mL every 2 weeks.

Barrier Reef Pools always Recommends taking a water sample to a pool store for testing and accurate readings every 2 weeks, your home kit is a guide only and difficult to ascertain the amount of chemical required.

Some of the benefits of Salt System are chemical costs are low, you’re never handling actual chlorine or hazardous materials and it is easier on your skin if you are sensitive.

Well, the jury is still out on this topic. Essentially all have their benefits in which both are very effective in sanitizing your pool.

A Salt Water System is basically liquid chlorine. Although it’s maintenance cost is lower you still need to make sure you are checking your Ph and salt levels in your water, and make any required adjustments.

Some of the benefits of Salt System are chemical costs are low, you’re never handling actual chlorine or hazardous materials and it is easier on your skin if you are sensitive. Not to mention you are less likely to have burning eyes and a shower afterwards that “never quite feels like you’re clean”.

Some factors to take into consideration with Salt Systems include you require extra equipment and extra salt when you first install your pool. So it may cost a little more, but typically the initial salt treatment is performed by the builder. Down the road (3-5 years) you may need to replace the Salt Cell. They can also be touchy and difficult in maintaining Chlorine at 1-3 PPM anything above throws chemistry off and throws cost saving out the window.

Chlorine is typically used in tablet form and is very effective to “shocking” your pool. It is the traditional way of sanitizing your pool.

Benefits of using Chlorine are it’s ability to quickly sanitize a pool, no extra equipment is required so your initial cost is lower. And you don’t have to worry about replacing any parts down the road.

Some disadvantages of Chlorine can be summed up in one sentence; “I went for a swim 5 hours ago and my eyes were burning, my skin still feels dirty and my hair still smells like chlorine.” Not to mention it is hazardous to handle and store chlorine.

You can minimize these effects by adding an ozonator which is a natural way of sanitizing water used since the 50’s to purify swimming pools and the Olympics since 1984. Use of a Ozonator can reduce Chlorine use up to 90 % and may not be required at all.

While ozonators represent an upfront investment, they greatly reduce the amount of money spent on chlorine and other chemicals. As concerns increase regarding traditional chemical use, alternative sanitizers such as ozonators are an investment in your family’s health and safety well worth considering.

Whether you are choosing to go with Salt System , Ozonators or Chlorine you really need to factor in the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Find the location of the closest fiberglass pool builder in your area of Ontario.

Our Yard and current office is located in Milton, Ontario and we have builders that service of course the immediate area of Oakville, Milton, Mississauga and Burlington, in the West Guelph , Kitchener/Waterloo through to London.

Barrier Reef Pools of Canada has Builders throughout Southern Ontario. For a Builder or Dealer near you please feel free to contact us.