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Above Ground Pool Maintenance

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Maintenance of above ground pools is not for the squeamish. There is a lot of responsibility that comes along with having a body of water in your backyard. But the benefits of cooling off in the summer, watching your kids have a blast and even having a little fun yourself make it all worthwhile. For clean, healthy and of course sparkling water, study up on the science of above ground pool maintenance.



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Step 1

The pump and filter form the heart of any above ground pool maintenance program, helping to keep your pool water clear. Pumps provide the force to circulate the water and push it through the filter. Ideally, you want to turn over all of the water in an above ground pool within an eight hour time period. This means that every drop of water has circulated through the filter within eight hours. The best time to run your pump is during the day, usually for 8 - 12 hours at a time. It is also important that the water circulates around the perimeter of your pool. Water in motion makes it harder for bacteria and algae to take hold and also directs more debris to your skimmer where it can be captured by your filter. Adjust the eyeball jets in your inlets to move your pool water in a circular motion.

Click Here to View the Pump and Filter Systems

Step 2

Your above ground pool filter is there to catch and remove both visible debris and microscopic particles. Sand and D.E. filters are cleaned by backwashing when the filter's pressure gauge indicates levels 8 to 10 lbs. above normal (always follow manufacturer instructions). Cartridge filters have a cartridge inside that can be removed and washed using a garden hose. Eventually, the cartridge will need to be replaced to ensure that the filter is working effectively.

Click Here to View the Pump and Filter Systems

Step 3

All above ground pools have areas with little or no circulation. These areas of minimal circulation are the breeding grounds for problems like algae growth. The walls and floor should be brushed and vacuumed once a week. Even if you use an automatic above ground pool cleaner, brushing once a week is a must.

Click Here to View Cleaning Accessories

Click Here to View the Automatic Pool Cleaners 
 

Step 4

Test your water regularly for two key factors: pH and sanitizers. By testing at least three times per week you will begin to understand how bather load, weather (rain and sun) and chemical application affect your pool water. Regular testing of pH and sanitizer levels will ensure crystal clear water all season long. A digital test strip reader will make this quicker and easier. It is vital that proper pH is maintained in your pool at all times. If the pH is outside 7.2 to 7.6 it will greatly reduce the effectiveness of pool chemicals. Test your pH level at least three (3) times a week and use either a pH Reducer or pH Increaser to bring the pH into the proper range. If you find it difficult to maintain your pH, check your total alkalinity and be sure it is in the ideal range. Adjust total alkalinity levels accordingly.

Click Here to View the Pool Water Test Kits

Step 5

Chlorine tablets are the most common and efficient sanitizer to use in above ground pools. These tablets are compressed so that they dissolve slowly and steadily release free chlorine into your water to wipe out bacteria and keep your water clean. Chlorine also comes in sticks and granules. Whichever form you decide to use, you’ll want to look for stabilized chlorine which is processed to protect it from the sun's damaging rays, making the chemical last longer and work more effectively. Always keep chlorine in your skimmer, floater, or automatic feeder for continuous sanitizing.

Click Here to View Chlorine Tablets

Step 6

As debris builds up in the water - from perspiration, suntan oil, hair spray and unfortunately, urine - it can cause eye and skin irritation and dull water. Often, chlorine is blamed for irritation and odor when in fact the real culprit is contaminants which tie up chlorine, keeping it from effectively sanitizing the water. When this happens, you should use shock which is basically a concentrated chemical treatment (usually chlorine). Shocking your above ground pool once a week will oxidize contaminants, freeing up the chlorine, and keeping your water crystal clear. Regular shock treatments will also kill resistant algae in the water. There are a variety of different products available including non-chlorine shock and shock designed for hard water areas.

Click Here to View our Pool Shock 
 

Step 7

Since algae are visible, it tends to be the pool problem that is most disturbing to pool owners. This is not surprising as no one wants to see black, green or yellow fuzz growing in their pool. In reality, it is not the algae that are harmful but the waste they produce by converting sunlight into food. This waste then feeds bacteria which is the real problem. Algae spores travel through the air and enter pool water. With just a few hours of sunlight on a warm day, algae can colonize your pool if your chlorine level is too low. The best way to combat algae is to never let them get started. Regularly checking to make sure your chemical levels are adequate and your pool water is balanced is vital. Adding algaecide is another preventative measure which will help prevent all types of algae from getting a foothold in your pool. You can use algaecide weekly to discourage algae growth.

Click Here to View our Algaecides 
 

Step 8

If algae have already taken hold in your pool, there are some basic steps to follow. First, shock your pool and keep your water circulating 24 hours a day if possible. You are looking to achieve 10 ppm of chlorine. After shocking, you will need to brush and vacuum the entire pool. Follow up with an algaecide designed for your particular algae problem (most common are black, green and mustard algae). Brush and vacuum again and try to repeat this everyday. Check chlorine and add more if it’s below 5 ppm. It is also recommended that you regularly clean your filter during this process.

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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/1/2014 

Ritaclay - If you have connected the vacuum hose to a suction port or to your skimmer port and all the connections are under water, you should have enough pressure to vacuum your pool.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/30/2014 

I shock the pool once a week I have an inter and there is no vacumn how do I clean it I have a thing that hooks to the hose they say the pressure of the water forms a vacumn but it doesn't work what am I to do
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/22/2014 

Lin - I can't tell from you description why your liner is coming off but, if it comes off with 1" of water, it will not stay up with more water. If you have an overlap liner, you may have to take the top coping strips off and let the liner down a little. If you have a beaded liner, you may have to buy a new one.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/21/2014 

After 2 years of my pool being closed I tried to clean the black water for a month and ended up emptying it. When I put the water back the liner came off . I emptied it again and put sand under the liner and started filling it up but after one inch of water the liner started coming off again. Should I fill it up fast or replace the liner ?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/25/2013 

Jojo - We would not recommend leaving your AGP empty during the winter. The water in the pool is what give the wall support. The wall would collapse and crease without it. Also, there's a good chance that the ground under an empty pool would heave with freezing and your bottom rails may bend.
 Reply

 Posted: 8/24/2013 

Just empty my AGP after a 3 week fight the algae. Since the summer is coming to an end, can we leave the pool with no water during the winter or will that damage the lining?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/23/2013 

vacuuming setting - If you have a lot of debris or algae in the pool, use a "waste" setting so that it doesn't clog the filter. Otherwise, use the "filter" setting for normal vacuuming. See our guide on "How a Multiport Valve Operates" for more information.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 7/23/2013 

I am wanting to know about the settings on the filter. When I am vaccumming, which setting should I be using - the backwash or waste?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/1/2012 

Pat - See our How To Guide on eliminating algae at this link: https://secure.inyopools.com/General/SubmitComment.aspx?ID=9
 Reply

 Posted: 8/1/2012 

I dont know which chemical to use first when you have a little algy in the pool.
What do I use first and how often do I do each one?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/3/2012 

Shock for 11,000 pool - You add 1 bag for 10,000 gallons of water. If your pool is very dirty, you can add two bags. Add the shock at night and leave your filter running.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 6/30/2012 

to orthdeb:Keep your ph at the low end, 7.2 to maximize your chlorine efficiency. You should
probably add stabilizer as well.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 6/30/2012 

How much shock should be used per gallon of water? Our pool is 11,000 gallons.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/3/2012 

Man that is one green swimming pool.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 8/15/2011 

well all our local pool professionals have no idea about how to maintain a pool.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/16/2011 

We have had our AGP for 3 weeks In the beginning I could not find any balancing products... our ph and alkalinity levels are good but my chlorine is always low...we are having 100 degree plus temps so I know I need to add conditioner and stabilizer, but I am unsure of the proper amount... our pool is 15'x42" any help would be greatly appreciated.
 Reply