Why do I need to shock my pool?

Pool water composition always includes some undesirable elements that actually contaminate the water and reduce the efficiency of the disinfectant or sanitizer. Materials such as hair spray, suntan oil, cosmetics, perspiration and other organic material react to combine with the chlorine in the water to form "combined chlorine".

Once "combined chlorine" forms, it acts as a very poor disinfectant, contributing to eye and skin irritations and the forming of unpleasant chlorine odor. Pools with this problem are often inaccurately accused of having too much chlorine.

Routine shock treatment is necessary to destroy combined chlorine compounds and restore the chlorine sanitizer to "free chlorine" efficiency. A pool can be shock treated by adding large doses of chlorine, commonly referred to as superchlorination, or by adding a non-chlorine shock. We recommend weekly shock treatments as part of a routine pool maintenance program.

I added algaecide to my pool, but the algae didn't go away. What did I do wrong?

First, you must add the algaecide according to the directions. If you don't add the correct dosage amount, it won't kill any of the algae. In addition to properly dosing your water, brushing the algae at least once daily will help expedite algae removal. Brushing the dead cells away makes the living algae more vulnerable to the algaecide.

Also, it is important that you use the proper algaecide for your particular algae problem. Thinking that they are saving money, some pool owners will try to battle an algae problem with gallon-size jugs of algaecide purchased from super discount stores. They may not realize that these algaecides are typically a 10% formulation - meaning that 90% of the product is water. These algaecides are not strong enough, or of the proper formulation, to eliminate existing algae. Many pool owners find that they are simply a waste of money. Using the right product - the first time - is the most cost effective way to battle an algae problem. The staff at Knapp Pools & Spas can recommend an effective algaecide for your particular situation.

Following chemical treatment, how long do I have to wait before I use my pool?

With the exception of superchlorinating (which requires waiting until the chlorine level drops to recommended levels), you can generally use your pool when the chemical is dispersed throughout the pool. Fifteen minutes to one hour is a good rule of thumb.

What's the deal with liquid chlorine? Do I need to use it in my pool? Does it get added in addition to chlorine tablets, or instead of granular shock treatments?

We get asked these questions A LOT! This seems to be very confusing for many pool owners. So here's the deal:

Liquid chlorine is an unstabilized form of chlorine, meaning that it will not last a long time in a swimming pool. It is best used as a shock treatment, and NOT as the primary source of sanitizing your pool. It will temporarily raise the level of chlorine in a pool, but will not sustain this level for very long. In some cases, you can test the chlorine level just hours later and the chlorine will be gone.

For those very reasons, it can work great as a shock treatment. You would use liquid chlorine OR a granular shock treatment (usually available in 1 lb bags) to shock your pool. You don't need to use both. Many pool owners prefer to use a granular shock treatment because they can be less expensive and much easier to transport. However, some people think that liquid chlorine works faster, especially in cold water, because it is in liquid form.

It is important to note that liquid chlorine has a shelf life, and loses its strength fairly quickly over time. Knapp Pools & Spas buys its liquid chlorine direct from the bottler, and we get deliveries once or twice a week to make sure it is fresh. Our chlorine is bottled at 14.5% strength to make sure it is at least 12.5% strength when you buy it from us. Compare this to the chlorine sold at the super discount stores, which is sold at 10% strength. Ours is at least 25% stronger, and a smarter choice for your money.

My budget is really tight this summer. What can I do to reduce my pool maintenance costs?

This economic environment is challenging for most of us. With the soaring costs of gasoline, many families are choosing to spend more time at home. Having a swimming pool is a great alternative to taking a family vacation, and the fun will last for months (and years!) instead of just a few days. Keeping your pool in optimal condition is the best way to increase your enjoyment time and reduce maintenance and repair costs.

First, be sure to implement an efficient 3-step chemical program including sanitizer, shock, and maintenance algaecide. This is not a good time to cut back on your basic chemicals. Once a pool gets out of hand, it can take a lot of treatment and time to get it back into shape.

Maintain proper water balance, and test your pool often. This will ensure that you are getting the most effective use of your chemicals. Keeping your water properly balanced the first time will save you money by adding just what is needed at the right time, instead of heavy doses to fix any previous oversight.

Using a solar blanket significantly reduces evaporation and cuts water consumption and water bills. It will help keep your pool cleaner because debris will stay on the cover instead of in the pool, and a cleaner pool uses fewer chemicals. Solar blankets also help build heat in a pool, reducing heating costs.

Bigger isn't always better when it comes to pool pumps. The larger the pump, the greater the operation cost. You should use the smallest sized pump that can properly circulate the water in your pool. Knapp Pools & Spas can help verify the hydraulic needs of your pool.

Keep your skimmer basket and pump basket clear of debris. Clogged baskets make the pump work harder, which uses more energy.

Backwash your filter appropriately. Backwashing too frequently wastes water, while not backwashing wastes energy by requiring the pump to work harder.

Now that you brought up backwashing.... just how often do I need to backwash my filter?

When the pressure gauge is reading 8 - 10 lbs above the clean, starting pressure (after backwashing), it is time to backwash the filter. This process involves turning a valve so that the water will flow through the filter backwards, flushing out the dirt. Hence the name "back-washing." One of the most important things you can do for your pool is to make sure your filter pressure gauge is in good working condition! Pressure gauges are inexpensive - only about $8 - so replace it as needed.

The backwashing procedure differs depending on the type of filter and valve. The pool pros at Knapp Pools & Spas can provide detailed explanations for you. Some basic things to keep in mind: when backwashing a sand filter, the sand media (should!) stay in the filter tank; when backwashing a D.E. filter, the diatomaceous earth flushes out the backwash line and will need to replaced; cartridge filters can't be backwashed - the filter element needs to be removed then cleaned or replaced.