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Frequently Asked
Questions
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Q. Is my pool or spa safe?
A. Chemicals
The pool or spa should have a proper level of sanitizer
(chlorine 1-5 ppm, bromine 2-5ppm, or baquacil 40-50 ppm.
The PH should be between 7.2 and 7.8. Test the pool or spa
with a test kit or test strips to determine these levels.
There are other factors that are important for surface
longevity, consult your pool professional.
B. Entrapment
Check your suction outlet cover(s) to see if they are VGB
compliant, they will have a VGB stamp, and securely fastened
with screws. Keep pool and spa users away from all suction
outlets during use. See safety.
C. Drowning
There is no substitute for competent adult supervision.
Never leave children unattended. It is best to have multiple
safety layers to prevent accidental drowning, such as
barriers, fences with self closing self latching gates,
child protection fences, door and window alarms, water
motion alarms, and deck area alarms. See Safety.
D. Fire
All Chemicals should be stored separated in a cool, dry
ventilated area. Only use the specific type of chemical
intended for the chemical feeder present. Do not store
chemicals near the pool or spa equipment. Keep all leaves,
debris and combustibles at least one foot from the pump(s)
and heater(s). Never place anything on top of them when they
are in use or could be accidentally or automatically turned
on.
E. Electrical
A qualified licensed electrician should be hired to inspect
your pool and spa, to check that electrical outlets, pool
and spa equipment, have ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI) as required by the national electric code (NEC) and
are grounded and bonded. All other metal fixtures such as
screen rooms, hand rails etc should also be bonded.
Q. Can I use my pool and spa during
pregnancy?
Consult a physician before hot tub use,
particularly in the first trimester.
Q. What medical conditions can prevent
me from using my spa?
Some medical conditions (such as
cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes) may cause
problems. Do not use the hot tub if you have a medical
condition without discussing it with your doctor first. Do
not use a hot tub if you are taking any medication including
alcohol or non prescription drugs. Always check with your
doctor first. Be sure to check the temperature of the water
is at or below 104*F with a thermometer, before you enter
the spa.
Infants and small children should not be allowed in spas and
hot tubs.
Q. Should I install a salt system on
my pool?
Yes. A salt system bombards salt added to the
pool water with electricity to make small amounts of
chlorine during the filtering cycle. This eliminates the
need to transport chlorine in your vehicle (no more auto
damage due to spills). The system makes chlorine
automatically, requiring less time adding and adjusting
chemicals, and keeps the chlorine level lower and more
constant compared to adding chlorine manually.
Q. I think my pool has a leak, what
should I do?
It's natural to lose about an inch a week. Use
the bucket test to determine if the pool leaks. Place a 5
gallon bucket 3/4 full of water on the second step, or first
step if it floats or submerges. Mark the pool and bucket
with a pencil at the waterlines. If the pool leaks the water
loss will be greater than the bucket. Measure the pool and
bucket water level from the marks. Repeat measurements daily
as necessary to determine if the pool is leaking.
Q Where should I keep the water level
in my pool or spa?
The water level should be near the middle of
the skimmer opening(s). It is better to have too much rather
than too little water, except in special cases. There should
be enough water to run the pump of full speed, and not draw
air through the skimmer plus a little extra in case toys,
debris, etc partially block the skimmer.
Q. My pump runs, but there is no
flow
Check water level
Clean the filter
Empty the skimmer basket
Clean the pump strainer basket
Clean and lubricate pump o-ring, lubricate with silicone
grease
With pump turned on place your hand in front of jet or inlet
to determine if there is flow
Q. My pump is not running
Check circuit breaker
Check time clock
Check on/off switch at pump
Q. My spa won't heat
Check the water level
Is the filter clean
Reset the Hi Limit if tripped. Turn of power for 5 minutes,
push hi limit reset button located on the heater or control
box
Is the breaker tripped
Check the thermostat
If propane gas heated, is the tank empty?
If gas heated, is the gas tank valve or supply line valve
open?
Q. When should I clean my
filter?
The filter should be cleaned when the pressure
increases 7 to 10 lbs above the clean pressure. If the clean
pressure is unknown, under normal conditions clean sand and
cartridge filters every two weeks, and clean DE filters
monthly.
Q. How often should I change my
cartridge?
A. Every 3 to 5 years under normal use, 1 to 2
years with heavy use
Q. What chemicals should I use in my
pool or spa?
There are many choices including: chlorine,
bromine, salt systems, ozone, nature pure, pristine blue,
baquacil, and copper and silver ionization. All Clear Pool
and Spa Shop recommends chlorine or salt system for pools,
and ozone with nature pure or bromine for spas and hot
tubs.
Q. How do I protect my pool and spa
from freeze damage?
1. Run the filter pump whenever temps are
forecast to be freezing. If you have a booster pump for a
pool cleaner or waterfall, make sure water is flowing
through them also. Two speed pumps can be operated on low
speed, water does not need to move fast to be kept from
freezing, it just has to be in motion.
2. All valves should be at least partially open to allow for
some flow through all pipes and equipment.
3. Wrapping pipes with a heat coil or with heavy foam can
prevent freeze damage, but be sure that all areas are
receiving warmth.
4. Using controls with freeze sensors automates freeze
protection. Attached to your time clock or controller, a
sensor will turn the pump(s) on automatically when
temperatures fall below 40 degrees. Make sure each before
winter, the sensors are still functioning. A loose or broken
wire can easily cause your equipment to fail. Call All Clear
Pool and Spa for assistance.
5. Another alternative is to simply drain the above ground
pool equipment (make sure timer clock won't turn pump on).
Remove pump drain plugs, filter drain plugs, heater drain
plugs, etc.
Q. How do I protect my pool and spa
from Hurricanes and Storms?
BEFORE THE STORM
1. THERE IS NO NEED TO EVEN LOWER THE WATER EXCEPT IN
SPECIAL CASES. Many people say, "But won't the pool overflow
if you don't lower the water?" Certainly it will flood, but
not more than if a patio or a yard was there. The water
helps to protect the tiles and surface from flying objects.
Never completely drain your pool! If you do lower the water
level, be sure to close your skimmer valve or install a plug
to prevent damage to the pump while draining and when the
power is turned back on. Super chlorinate the pool. The pool
provides a handy source of water for washing and flushing if
your house water supply fails.
2. TURN OFF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE SWIMMING POOL.
(Pump, motor, lighting, chlorinators, and etc.)
3. If your filter pump is in an unsheltered area, have the
motor removed and stored, especially if area is prone to
flooding, or wrap it with a waterproof membrane or plastic
bag and tie it securely in place to prevent sand and driving
water from entering the motor. Tie down the pump box lid, if
present.
4. REMOVE ALL LOOSE ITEMS FROM POOL AREA. It is not
advisable to throw patio furniture or accessories into the
pool. If it is necessary to do so, remove as soon as
possible after the storm has passed. Heavy furniture may
chip, rust, and damage the pool finish and the chemicals in
the water will have an adverse effect on the furniture. This
is especially true for vinyl liner pools that can be torn by
furniture etc.
5. Remove weak and dead branches near or overhanging the
pool equipment, pool screen room and pool deck. Clean the
pool deck drains.
6. Remove and store any removable child safety fences.
Install the fence deck caps.
AFTER THE STORM
1. REPLACE ANY CHILD SAFETY FENCES. Store the deck caps for
future use.
2. DO NOT EMPTY THE POOL. High ground water can cause
structural damage to an empty pool by causing it to pop
(float) out of the ground.
3. SUPER CHLORINATE THE POOL WATER. Remove as much of the
organic debris (leaves, etc.) with a rake and skimmer as
soon as possible as it rapidly consumes chlorine. When the
chlorine residual returns to normal, have the water tested
for proper balance. Heavy rain upsets mineral balance needed
for protection of your equipment and pool finish.
4. Remove all debris from pool with a rake and skimmer
before re-starting the system to prevent clogged lines.
5. DANGER: Some chemical feeders require special care before
starting the pump motor. Check with All Clear Pool and Spa
Shop or your pool company.
6. REMOVE ANY WRAPPING AROUND PUMP MOTOR. If the motor has
been submerged, it should be removed for professional
cleaning and drying out. If the pump has remained dry, turn
on the electricity.
7. Check to make certain the pump is operating normally and
that the water is circulating in the pool. Reset time clocks
to show the correct time of day.
8. Run filter until water is crystal clear and resume normal
pool operation.
Q What cities do you service?
We primarily service Gainesville, Fl and
Alachua county. We provide service in other counties for an
additional fee.
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