|
What
are your opening hours?
9am
to 5.00pm Monday to Friday,
10.00am to 2pm Saturday.
Sunday Closed
[TOP]
Why
is my pool green?
Lack
of chlorine, and/or lack of circulation.
The
correct amount of chlorine stabiliser(cyanuric acid) must
be used The filtration must be running for at least 6 hours
per day during winter, and 8 hours per day in summer
Blackspot
often grows in areas of poor circulation such as corners,
steps and beach entrances
[TOP]
Causes
of low chlorine
- Chlorine
Pools - must have the correct amount of chlorine added
each evening
- Saltwater
pools - Insufficient salt will cause low chlorine
- If
the chlorinator cell needs cleaning, chlorine will be
low
- Insufficient
running hours will cause low chlorine
- Breakdown
of chlorinator – no chlorine
- Blackspot
algae will burn up chlorine very quickly
SOLUTION
- a SHOCK DOSE OF LIQUID CHLORINE and fix the cause!
[TOP]
Why
is my pool cloudy?
A
cloudy pool is the first sign of a pool turning green, so
any of the above reasons could apply.
- Minute
particles of dust
- Calcium
from granular pool chlorine
SOLUTION
– talk to the staff at Allan’s Pool Shop for instructions.
[TOP]
I
think my pool is leaking, what could it
be?
Natural
evaporation is between 2-5 cm per week, depending on how
hot and windy it is. If the loss is greater than this you
need to call Allan’s Pool Shop.
[TOP]
What
causes Blackspot Algae, how do I get
rid of it?
When
algae is not treated, and becomes established over weeks
or months a root system establishes itself into the pool
surface, and like any plant when the conditions are ideal
(warm water and low chlorine) it grows and becomes visible.
It can be seen either as small black spots or creeping between
the tiles or pebble.
SOLUTION
– In its early stages there is a chemical which will
clear it up, but in later stages the pool must be emptied,
guernied and chemically treated to successfully remove the
blackspot.
[TOP]
Why
can’t I get rid of Blackspot for good? Why does it keep coming
back?
If
you have persistent blackspot algae, where it either comes
back straight away, or never really clears, your pool water
is probably loaded with Phosphates, or your pool needs more
regular attention.
SOLUTION
– There is a non toxic chemicals which eliminates phosphates,
take a water sample into FORD SPA POOLS for analysis.
[TOP]
When
and how often should I check my pool water?
The
most important time to balance your pool water is as soon
as practical after heavy rain. Chlorine pools should be
checked daily. Saltwater pools should be balanced fortnightly
during summer, monthly during winter.
[TOP]
How
should I look after my pool during heavy rain?
Run
everything as normal, and re-balance the pool as soon
as possible after the rain stops.
It
is a fallacy that if you turn everything off, the fresh
water will float on top, therefore only the rain water will
be drained off, the theory being that salt water is heavier
than fresh water. We strongly recommend that you don’t
try this.
If
you must, turn off the chlorinator and use only liquid
chlorine. If you run the chlorinator for long periods on
low salt levels you will damage the cell, shortening it’s
life span, and at several hundreds of $$$$$ to replace,
it is not a good idea.
It
will not save you much money, and will cause many problems.
You still have to add the salt at some stage, and meanwhile
add expensive chlorine on a daily basis.
[TOP]
How
do I drain water from the pool?
If
you have a filter with a backwash valve it is simple. Turn
the valve handle to "waste" until the required level is
reached. Do not move the handle while the filtration is
running, turn the power off before moving the handle, and
back on after, or you will damage the backwash valve gasket
causing it to leak.
Do
not waste water on "backwash" as this will cause damage
to your filter.
If
you have a cartridge filter then water can be siphoned out
with your garden or vacuum hose.
[TOP]
When
I need to add Chlorine to my pool what
type should I use?
In
saltwater pools use only liquid chlorine to super chlorinate.
Granular Pool chlorine leaves a residual of calcium behind,
that is the white substance you have to clean off the chlorinator
cell. Why would you add more to be attracted to the cell?
Large doses of calcium chlorine will cause cloudiness.
[TOP]
When
water evaporates from my saltwater pool,
do I loose salt?
No.
Natural evaporation is between 2-5cm per week depending
on wind and heat.
Salt and Stabiliser do not evaporate.
[TOP]
How
do I keep chlorine in my pool?
Having
trouble keeping chlorine in your pool although you put plenty
in? The most probable reason is a lack of chlorine stabiliser
(cyanuric acid). In very rare instances it could be chloramines.
SOLUTION
- Take a water sample into Ford SPa Pools
[TOP]
Help!
There are bugs in my pool?
About
every three or four years after heavy rain we get a plague
of bugs, which lasts for around 3-4 weeks. It is not caused
by poor chemical balance.
SOLUTION
– Allan’s Pool Shop have a Lo-Chlor product "No more Bugs".
[TOP]
What
is wrong with my pool, the Kids have earache?
Probably
nothing is wrong with the pool! It is almost certainly Tropic
Ear, a fungus growth caused by dampness in the ear. A Doctor
can fix it very quickly, better still, teach your children
to dry inside their ears as soon as they get out of the
pool.
[TOP]
What
is wrong with the pool, my Kids have sore eyes?
It
could be that the PH level is either too high or too low,
very occasionally if the chlorine is too high. More often
than not it is simply that the children have been swimming
underwater for long periods with their eyes open. Water
is not a natural substance on the eye.
[TOP]
How
can I prolong the life of my expensive chlorinator
cell?
Three
things shorten the life of your chlorinator cell:-
- Running
the filtration for long periods on low levels of salt
- Cleaning
the cell in too strong a solution of cell wash
- Not
cleaning the cell often enough, leaving a built up of
calcium
[TOP]
How
long should I run my filter and chlorinator?
- Chlorine
pools – 6 hours per day to filter the water clean
- Saltwater
pools – 8 hours per day in summer – half early morning,
half late afternoon
- 6
hours per day in winter – half early morning, half late
afternoon To clean the water and produce enough chlorine.
[TOP]
There
is water leaking from under my pump motor,
what is wrong?
The
mechanical seal needs replacing. It is important to have
this simple repair done as soon as possible, or further
more expensive damage will be done.
[TOP]
My
pump and motor is noisy, it is making a whining
or screaming noises.
The
bearings and mechanical seal need replacing, if left the
pump will soon stop working altogether.
[TOP]
My
filtration is working but no water is
coming out.
The
impellor needs replacing, probably the bearings and mechanical
seal too.
[TOP]
My
pool is making a gurgling sound, what
is wrong?
The
water level is too low, it should be at least half way
up the skimmer box opening, with about 2 cm (1") gap at
the top. Don’t forget to bleed the air out of the filter!
[TOP]
My
pool is not skimming the leaves, what
is wrong?
Either
the water level is too high, drop the water level to 2
cm below skimmer opening, or the weir door is missing.
[TOP]
How
do I work out how much water is in my pool?
Multiply
the longest point (in meters), by the widest point, by
the average depth, this will give you the approximate
literage.
[TOP]
What
things should I consider when looking
for a new filter?
Diatomaceous
Earth (DE)Filters are the filter industry chooses
when it wants the best. DE filters cleans down to 3 microns,
and gives the best water clarity of all types of filters.
DE filters have a backwash valve for ease of cleaning.
Sand
filters work simply by filtering the water through
sand, they cope best with high amounts of suntan cream
and are therefore the most suitable for Resort pools.
Sand filters clean down to 25 microns, and have a backwash
valve for ease of cleaning.
Cartridge
filters ideal for above ground pools, or where water
is scarce. Cartridge filters do not have a backwash facility
and are middle of the road for cleaning power, cleaning
down to 15 microns.
[TOP]
What
things should I consider when deciding on a pool builder?
Allan’s
Pool Shop is happy to help you evaluate any quotes, we
can point out the differences between the quotes, and
make sure you are comparing the same thing. When using
a member of SPASA to build your pool, you have the security
of SPASA’s "Watertight" insurance.
[TOP]
What
are the advantages of salt water chlorination?
Salt
water chlorination makes your pool much easier to maintain,
needing much less attention than a chlorine pool. Because
the chlorinator is adding chlorine to your pool automatically,
twice every day, there is much less chance of anything
going wrong, avoiding costly clean up measures. Salt water
chlorination is less than half the cost of a chlorine
pool to run. Saves time, saves money, eliminates problems!
[TOP]
What
is the difference in running costs
between a salt water and chlorine pool?
Salt
water pools cost less than half that of a chlorine pool.
Most of the chemical costs with a salt water pool occur
during the wet season when the pool overflows, during
the dry season there is very little expenditure on chemicals.
The actual amount depends entirely upon the size of the
pool, the severity of the wet season, and the situation
of the pool.
|
