Pool Guide

Please read through this entire page for important information about maintaining your new pool. Links are provided for user mauals for the most common equipment we install. Please reference and read through these as well.

Water Level

It is crucial that the proper water level be maintained in a vinyl liner pool.  We recommend that you keep your water level about an inch from the top of the skimmer opening.  Do not drain water from the pool before, during, or immediately after a large rain event, as this could cause your liner to float.  Keeping as much water in the pool as possible during rain events is the best defense against excess ground water.  It is better to let your pool overflow and deal with the cleanup than have a costly liner replacement/repair because the liner floated.  If water needs to be drained from the pool, wait at least 24 hours after a large rain event to do so.

Pool Maintainence

Vacuuming

Regular vacuuming is essential to maintain the cleanliness of your pool and increase the longevity of your liner.  For typical vacuuming, make sure your filter valve is set to “Filter.”  If there is significant debris or dirt in the bottom of the pool, it may be better to vacuum with the filter valve set to “Waste.”  This will bypass the filter and send the debris out of your backwash line.  Be very careful when vacuuming on the waste setting; it will lower the water level of your pool.  Never let the water level drop below the skimmer.  It is best to add extra water to the pool first so that the proper water level can be maintained throughout the vacuuming process.  If there is a lot of suspended particles such as dirt or pollen in the water, adding a product called flocculant will help sink these particles to the pool bottom where you can then easily vacuum it out on “Waste.”

Water Chemistry

It is imperative that you maintain proper water chemistry for the purpose of pool cleanliness and longevity of the liner.  Each pool will have different needs depending on water source, amount of use, surrounding vegetation, and time of year.  We cannot tell you exactly what chemicals your pool will need, but you can test water with at-home test kits or take a water sample to your local pool supply store.  If you have a salt system, please see the important note below about adding chlorine to a salt pool.

Salt Systems

Salt Level/Adding Salt

For your salt system to function properly, the salt level should be kept between 2700-3400ppm.  If your salt level is too low, add salt. Pour the salt directly into the pool and never add more than 2 bags of salt per day.  If the salt level doesn’t increase by at least 200ppm in 24 hours, there may be an issue with your system.  If your salt level is too high, drain some water from your pool and replace it with fresh water.  Repeat this process as needed until salt level comes down to the appropriate level.  Never drain the water level below the skimmer, and never drain water before, during, or immediately after a rain event.  If you suspect an issue with your salt system, please have your water professionally tested for the salt level before making any adjustments.

Adding Chlorine

When functioning properly, your salt system will produce the chlorine needed for your pool.  There should not be any reason to add liquid chlorine (shock) on a regular basis to a salt water pool.  If your pool supply store tests your water and recommends adding chlorine frequently- proceed with caution; too much chlorine can bleach your liner.  If your water is clear and you see no signs of algae growth, then your salt system is producing the correct amount of chlorine and additional chlorine isn’t needed.  If your water isn’t clear or you see algae growth, then there is either an issue with your salt system that needs to be addressed, or your pool needs a one-time chlorine boost due to an outside factor like heavy use or a recent storm.

Cell Missing

If you see this message on your salt system, the salt cell has likely come unplugged.  Follow the cord from the salt cell and make sure it is plugged into the bottom of the salt system panel.  You may need to restart the system after plugging it back in.

Inspect Cell

This message will appear on your display every 500 operating hours.  It is not an error message; it is a reminder to check your salt cell for build-up.  Please follow the instructions in the salt system manual for how to check and clean the salt cell.  This video also provides step-by-step instructions.  Once you have inspected the cell and cleaned, if necessary, you can clear the message from your display by pressing “OK.”  This will reset the 500 hour timer.

No Flow

The salt system must sense water flowing for the system to produce chlorine.  If your pump is running and you see this error message, there may be a problem with your flow switch sensor.

Protecting Your Pool in the Winter

The best, although not the easiest, way to protect your pool during the off-season is to leave it running and maintain like normal.  You can usually run the pump less during the winter, but you still need to maintain the proper water level and vacuum as needed.  If you want to leave your pool open, but leaves are a concern, we suggest buying a cheap tarp and covering the pool for the 1-2 weeks when the leaves are falling the most.  If you leave the pool open and running, you will need to make sure the pump is on and circulating water during freezing temperatures.

If you decide to shut your pool down in the off-season, then you must cover it.  All mesh and tarp covers will allow some amount of sunlight and debris through, so expect that your water will not be perfectly clear when you open it back up.  Here are some important notes if you decide to shut the pool down:

  • Do not lower the water level.  As stated above, the proper water level in a vinyl liner pool must be maintained to protect the liner from floating.  We highly recommend checking the water level throughout the winter to make sure it is staying near the top of the skimmer.

  • Thoroughly clean the pool before closing.  We suggest adding 2 gallons of liquid chlorine the day before closing.

  • Make sure all equipment is shut off and remove the drain plugs from the equipment so that any water within them is emptied out.  Sand filters typically have one drain near the bottom and pumps typically have two.

  • Remove the skimmer basket and put in a Gizzmo.

  • Open all plumbing valves.