Q: How often do you have to clean the filters?
A: There’s no concrete answer to this question. Usually, during the off season, the filters don’t get a lot of debris, so you’ll only need to clean them periodically. By the time winter rolls around, you may be cleaning them as little as once a month to every few months. The easiest way to keep track is to check the pressure gauge on top of the filter. They normally operate at 10 to 20 psi, but you’ll have to find out what your ideal range is. The next time you thoroughly clean your filters, look at the reading on the gauge. When the pressure rises 5 to 10 psi from that initial point, it’s time to clean again. There are a dozen different variables that can cause you to need to clean the filters more often, such as the water getting cloudy, blowing dust, or debris from trees.
Q: How often to test the water?
A: Start by testing daily, then as you notice your test results don’t vary from day to day, you can then back it to testing once a week. Although you may find that the water chemistry stays consistent, you should never go more than a week or two in the off season without testing the water. Dust, rain, and unexpected sunshine can all affect the chemistry of the water, and water chemistry that isn’t in the ideal range can ruin the plaster, pumps, and heaters.
Q: Do you have your lights on still?
A: Absolutely. They’re considered a safety device, so if someone hops the fence at night, and falls in the pool, they may be seen. Lights in the pool are good, but you never want a light shining down on the pool from a post or an adjoining building, as they can reflect off the surface and impede the ability to see under the surface of the water.
Q: Does it need to be brushed, how often?
A: Weekly, as well as a good vacuuming every couple weeks, or when it starts to look dirty. Even though the pool may look clean, it will have small particulate that needs brushing and vacuuming to keep the plaster from staining.