Helpful Tips
On this page you will find helpful tips for your Pool, Spa and Chemical needs. In addition, our knowledgeable staff can assist you with all your questions and issues. Come visit us soon at one of our great locations in Glen Carbon and Highland, Illinois.
Spas
Pools
Chemicals
Water Care
Cloudy Water
Probable Cause:
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Dirty filters
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Excessive oils or organic matter
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Improper sanitizing
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Suspended particles or organic matter
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Overused or old water
Solutions:
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Clean filters with Fresh Water, Filter Cleaner or FreshWater Filter Cleaner
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Shock spa with sanitizer
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Add sanitizer
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Adjust pH and/or alkalinity Alkalinity Up or Alkalinity Down
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Run jet pump(s) and clean filters with Filter Cleaner
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Drain, clean and refill the spa
Water Odor
Probable Cause:
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Excessive organics in water
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Improper sanitization
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Low pH
Solutions:
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Shock spa with sanitizer
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Add sanitizer
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Adjust pH to recommended range
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Drain, clean and refill the spa
Chlorine Odor
Probable Cause:
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Chloramine level too high
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Low pH
Solutions:
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Shock spa with sanitizer
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Adjust pH to recommended range
Musty Odor
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Probable Cause:
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Bacteria or algae growth
Solutions:
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Shock spa with sanitizer
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If the problem is visible or persistent, drain, clean and refill the spa
Organic Buildup/Scum Ring Around Spa
Probable Cause:
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Buildup of oils and dirt
Solutions:
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Wipe off scum with clean rag
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If severe, drain the spa, use a Spa cleaning product to protect the spa shell, and refill the spa
Algae Growth
Probable Cause:
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High pH
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Low sanitizer lever
Solutions:
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Shock spa with sanitizer
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Adjust pH to recommended range
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Shock spa with sanitizer, and maintain sanitizer level
Eye Irritation
Probable Cause:
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Low pH
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Low sanitizer lever
Solutions:
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Adjust pH to recommended range
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Shock spa with sanitizer, and maintain sanitizer level
Skin Irritation/Rash
Probable Cause:
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Unsanitary water
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Free chlorine level above 5 ppm
Solutions:
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Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
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Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm before spa use
Stains
Probable Cause:
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Total alkalinity and/or pH too low
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High iron or copper in source water
Solutions:
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Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH to recommended levels
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Use FreshWater Stain & Scale to inhibit metals
Scale
Probable Cause:
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Total alkalinity and/or pH too high
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High calcium content in water
Solutions:
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Adjust total alkalinity and pH to recommended levels
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If scale requires removal, drain the spa, scrub off the scale, clean spa shell with Spa cleaner, and refill the spa
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HotSprings Water Care Trouble Shooting
Create a Pool Safety Kit for your Home Pool or Spa
Drownings are a preventable cause of death and injury for children. By putting proven safety behaviors and systems into practice, you and your family will be much more secure in and around public and residential pools.
CPSC recommends that you create a pool safety toolkit to have near your pool or spa to ensure that if the worst happens, you are ready to respond.
What should be in a pool safety toolkit for your home pool or spa?
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A first aid kit
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A pair of scissors to cut hair, clothing or a pool cover, if needed
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A charged portable telephone to call 911
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A flotation device
Pool Safety
Safety Suggestions
Adding as many water safety steps as possible is the best way to
assure a safe and fun experience in a residential swimming pool or spa.
Parents and families can build on their current safety practices by
adopting water safety steps at home pools and spas.
These are safety steps you can adopt at your residential pool or spa:
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Staying Close,
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Being Alert and Watching Children in and Around the Pool,
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Always watch your children when they are in or near a pool or spa,
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Teach children basic water safety tips,
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Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to
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avoid entrapments,
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Have a portable telephone close by at all times when you or your
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family are using a pool or spa
If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first. Share
safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors.
Learning and Practicing Water Safety Skills
Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim, learn to perform
CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly.
Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool
emergency
Black Algae
What is it?
Black algae are single-celled organisms that grow in large colonies. They
contain chlorophyll like other algae, but they also contain compounds that mask
the green color. It forms in cracks and crevices on pool surfaces (especially
plaster finishes) and can grow somewhat protected from the surrounding
environment due to the formation of a protective layer on the outside of the cell.
This makes black algae more difficult to treat and it is somewhat resistant to
normal chlorine levels.
To kill black algae:
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Use Banish® as it kills all types of swimming pool algae
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Spot Kill® is specifically formulated to kill black algae on walls
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Spot Kill® WP should only be used on white plaster pools.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Brushing is extremely important when treating black algae because that protective layer has to be broken in order for the sanitizer or algicide to come in contact with the cells.
5 steps to prevent algae growth:
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Maintain a sanitizer residual of 1-3ppm
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Do an initial and weekly application of a preventative algicide (such as Backup 2)
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Shock routinely
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Make sure there is adequate circulation and filtration
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Brushing surfaces is vital
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Provided by BioGuard
Five Keys to Pool Care
The five essentials of pool maintenance described here give a basic understanding of how your pool functions. For a carefree swimming season, learn about the 5 keys and visit your BioGuard Authorized Dealer any time you need advice or expert assistance.
Keep in mind . . .
Each key is important for proper pool care. Consider each key as a simple, preventative maintenance step. Pool care can be simple when you have a plan for routine maintenance and use the right products.
Circulation
Pool water must be circulated to maximize your sanitizer’s effectiveness. The more the water is in motion, the harder it is for bacteria and algae to grow and take hold. Debris is also pushed out and captured by your filter during circulation. The best time to circulate the water is during the day for about 12 hours or more.
Filtration
Your filter is one of your most important pieces of equipment! It should be backwashed (cleaning by the removal of material trapped on or in the filter media) when the water pressure in the filter reaches 8 to 10 psi above normal. Make sure to check your manufacturer’s guidelines. Filters also need to be chemically cleaned to remove the oil and debris that backwashing doesn’t catch. Check with your BioGuard Dealer to establish a maintenance schedule.
Cleaning
Your filter doesn’t catch everything; some pools have areas with little to no circulation and this is where problems occur. Brush and vacuum your wall and floors at least once a week to catch the debris that your filter misses.
Testing
Every pool has characteristics that need to be regularly measured and adjusted. Your pH and sanitizer levels are the most important factors to check. Test your water two to three times per week with heavy to typical usage. Additionally, take your water to your BioGuard dealer at pool opening, closing and every four to six weeks during the season. This will keep your pool in check.
Chemistry
The last key in pool care is applying the right products at the right time. Follow the steps provided by your BioGuard Dealer to have welcoming, brilliant and sparkling water; swimmers protected from disease transmission; and protected pool equipment and surfaces by having properly balanced water.
Provided by Bioguard
