All entries tagged with “pools”
Posted by The Great Escape Blog on Monday Jul 18, 2011 11:47 am
Things to Consider When Deciding on a Pool:
Choosing a pool is no easy decision - these days there’s a swimming pool that’s right for virtually every individual or family looking to add the distinct lifestyle advantage of a backyard vacation to their home or property. Radiant Pools offers options for everyone, including aboveground, semi-inground and inground styles. So how do you decide which style works best for you?
The answer isn’t easy, because there are considerations that make each pool an attractive option. Generally, the aboveground versus inground decision relies on four basic factors:
Budget: While either type of pool can add both aesthetic and intrinsic value to your home, there is a significant price difference between most aboveground and inground options. Aboveground pools generally cost much less than traditional concrete, fiberglass or vinyl liner inground pools.
Installation and Style: What kind of landscape do you have? Is your yard on a slope? Is the terrain rocky? Do you have deed or neighborhood restrictions? It’s very important to consider all your limitations as well as the possibilities when planning your backyard pool. Radiant Pools offers installation options and alternatives to address whatever challenges arise when choosing right pool for your property. It’s always best to know what you can and can’t do before you make your investment.
Size and Shape: When adding a swimming pool, you must consider two areas: The available lot space on your property for the addition of a pool, and the area of the pool itself in relation to that space. Are there any local zoning limitations to consider? How will the pool look once installed? Will the pool be a pleasing addition to your existing lot, or will it completely dominate your available space?
Things To Do Before You Purchase Your Pool
Here’s a strong beginning checklist of reminders to execute on your own or with your pool builder before investing in your backyard vacation.
Check the code first: Before heading down the road to owning a swimming pool, be sure to check with your local building code enforcement office to determine what can (and sometimes cannot) be added to your property. Each township, borough or county will likely have restrictions on proximity to property lines, utilities, safety or zoning restrictions, even mandatory green ordinances that could limit the size or style of your swimming pool. Knowing what your locality allows will help you define limits for your new swimming pool.
Research is key and information is free: Whether it’s on a website, in a showroom, or via literature and videos provided by a swimming pool contractor or manufacturer, there’s never been more information available about swimming pools and swimming pool installation. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the styles of pools available to you, the maintenance associated with those pools, and the general process of pool installation as well as the bottom line initial price of the swimming pool and installation.
Don’t sacrifice quality for price: You’re making a significant investment in your property. There’s no substitute for a quality-choosing the pool that’s priced right for you is only half the battle. Be sure to look at the duration of the warranty. Look at long term costs for operating, maintaining, and replacing all or parts of the pools.
Posted by The Great Escape Blog on Monday Jun 27, 2011 2:41 pm
DE Filters
Why does my filter pressure rise very quickly, even after backwashing?- D.E. filters filter the water down to 1-3 microns, every time the  water passes through the filter. Maintain a balanced clear pool and this will reduce incidents of rapid pressure rise. One possibility is that the filter grids or Flex tubes are clogged with minerals or oils. You should clean your grids once a year, or season, with a degreaser and if needed an acid bath. Minerals and oils embed themselves in the fabric of the filter and reduce the available surface area used for filtering.
How do I add DE and how often do I need to change my DE?- DE is added through the skimmer with the pump running. Each filter has a different requirement of DE. At initial start up or after a thorough cleaning, the filter will need to be pre-coated with DE. The filter label will state the amount of DE required. Start the pump and once the pump is fully primed, measure the DE using a DE scoop, part # EC10SC. Slowly add the DE into the skimmer. The pump will draw in the DE and send it into the filter, where it coats the grids or Flex tubes. Once all the DE is added, take a reading of the filter’s pressure gauge. This is the clean starting pressure of the filter.
Sand Filters
Why is there sand at the bottom of my pool?- The sand you are using could be too small. Sand that is too small can travel through the laterals in the bottom of your filter and back to the pool. #20 silica sand, .45-.55mm in size, is required. This can be obtained at your local Hayward dealer.
Prior to adding sand, remember to always remove a lateral (it unthreads) from the lateral assembly at the bottom of the filter. Try putting some of the sand you are going to add inside the lateral. Other than debris sand (fines), 99% of the sand should stay inside the lateral. If most of the sand comes through the holes of the lateral, the sand is too small.Your pump may be too large or the sand level too high in the filter. When the filter is backwashing the water flow can cause the sand to rise high enough and overflow into the standpipe, which will allow the sand back into the pool.
When do I need to replace my sand?- On average, sand should be replaced every 3-5 years. This may be longer if the pool stays clear, or shorter, if the filter runs all the time. The jagged edges of the sand wear down and become smooth as the sand ages. When this happens the sand can no longer trap debris particles and dirt can pass through the sand and back into the pool.
If the pool is chemically balanced, the system is running the proper length of time and the bather load is normal, but the water will not clear, even using a flocculant or clarifier, then the sand needs changing.
As the sand ages, it may start to clump and the water flow can form channels in the sand, allowing the debris to pass through. Channeling is often seen when the pump horsepower is too large and wants to move too much water through the filter.
Cartridge Filters
How do I clean my cartridges?- The cartridges should be cleaned once a season with a degreaser or acid bath.
Body oils are the first thing to clog a cartridge element. A degreasing solution should be used to remove oils. If an acid bath is used to remove oils, it will embed these oils into the fabric and make the element less effective. You local Hayward dealer should have a cartridge cleaner or you can use a mixture of laundry detergent and water.
1-cup detergent to 5 gallons of water. Dissolve the detergent in a bucket of water and soak the element(s) for 24 hours. YOU MUST THOROUGHLY RINSE THE ELEMENTS PRIOR TO REINSTALLING THEM INTO THE FILTER. IF YOU DON’T THE POOL WILL FILL WITH SOAP BUBB LES.
An acid bath is for mineral deposits on the elements. If an acid bath is needed, do a degreasing wash first, then the acid treatment. Start off with a mixture of 1 part acid to 5 parts water in a bucket. ALWAYS add acid to water, never water to acid. If the mixture does not clean the elements effectively, increase the mixture to 2 parts acid to 5 parts water. Follow the proper disposal of the acid mixture, as per the acid manufacturer’s instructions.
Posted by The Great Escape Blog on Monday Jun 27, 2011 2:25 pm
Why is my pump cutting off and on every 5-10 seconds?- Hayward motors are factory wired for 240 volts unless the motor is 120 volts ONLY. Check the voltage of the incoming supply power and ensure the motor is wired or can be wired for this voltage (data plate on motor will help provide voltage and wiring information). Also check for loose or badly connected wires. Contact a certified electrician for repair.
How many hours a day should I run my pump?- There are many factors to consider; bather load, gallons of water, pump horsepower, type and size of filter just to name a few. A good guideline is 8-10 hours a day. On the cooler days and early and late season, you can cut the run time down to 4-6 hours because there is usually less swimmers and cooler water requires less chemicals. In peak season, when it is the hottest, raising the run time to 10-12 hours per day will help to keep the pool clean and circulating during it’s time of heaviest use.
Can I run my pump without water?- Hayward Pool pumps should never operate without water. The pump seal assembly in the pump volute (The area between the strainer basket and the pum p motor) protects the pump motor from pool water. This seal assembly gets hot and is cooled by the pool water. If the pump is running without water, the seal will overheat and melt, If left running without water for a long period of time, the heat generated could damage the PVC pipe and other system components.
How do I winterize my pump?- To winterize a Hayward Pool pump, turn off the electrical circuit breaker that supplies power to the pump. Also, make sure that there is NO water left inside the pump. All Hayward pumps are equipped with drain plugs that will allow excess water to drain once the plugs are removed. Contact your local Hayward dealer for proper winterization procedures.
Do I need to keep grass, shrubs, and vegetation away from my motor?- Always keep the pool equipment clear and ensure that there is nothing growing over the motor. If insects are a large problem in your area, treat for insects. The air circulation around the motor is crucial for proper operation. Failure to ensure proper air circulation will reduce the life of the equipment.
Posted by The Great Escape Blog on Monday Jun 27, 2011 10:45 am
Pool Liner Installation Instructions
The pool liner IS NOT a structural part of the pool. Its function is to keep the water from leaking out of the pool. The water pressure is held by the pool wall and structural parts, not by the liner. The liner must be installed properly with all the areas touching the ground, earth mound, pool wall and not supporting the weight of the water, which will damage the liner.
Slight wrinkles appearing during the installation of a pool liner is natural. This is caused by an over allowance of vinyl material to avoid damage to the linear if shrinkage should occur.
Smooth out the floor of the liner by pushing it toward the pool wall. A soft broom will be helpful. Never forcefully pull or drag the liner.
DO NOT STRETCH YOUR LINER! THIS WILL AUTOMATICALLY VOID THE WARRANTY.
* Examine the liner to make sure there is no opening in the seam, before filling your pool.
* Make sure that you put your earth mound around the bottom of the wall to protect he liner from touching the metal frame.
* Lay out the liner inside the wall properly with all the areas touching the ground, earth mound and pool wall. Do not stretch your liner, see diagram above.
* Hang your liner over the wall making sure that there is no tension on the liner.
* Follow instructions in your pool manual about how to set up the liner.
* ATTENTION HOME OWNER: BE SURE TO ATTACH DO NOT DIVE STICKER TO YOUR LINER TWO INCHES ABOVE THE WATER LEVEL SO IT IS CLEARLY VISIBLE.
Posted by The Great Escape Blog on Tuesday Jun 07, 2011 8:31 am
The following quote displays great customer service within our pool division:
" My fiance and I have been coming to Great Escape since we bought our pool from Jill at the S.B. store about 6 years ago... More »
Posted by Mike Cortina on Monday Apr 04, 2011 9:55 pm
The Great Escape manufactures an exclusive stainless steel panel. See why this is critical to your pool structure.
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Posted by Mike Cortina on Monday Apr 04, 2011 9:51 pm
FAQ about pool set-up.
1. Make sure you work with your town's building department to find out your town's zones and codes.
2. What pool is best for the size of your yard?
3. How long do you plan on... More »
Posted by Mike Cortina on Monday Apr 04, 2011 9:36 pm
What is right for you? A round pool or an oval pool? Here are some things to consider.
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