Swimming Pool Basics Dave Thompson www.swimmingpoolservices.com Rick Woemmel www.bistatepool.com/presentations

Basic Swimming Pool Design

What are questions that you have? Problems How to… What is your most common service call?

Three answers to cloudy water Flow Filtration Water Chemistry

What do we mean by “FLOW”? Pump Plumbing Valves

How do we check for flow problems? Flow Meter Hand in front of return Look into top of pump (most have clear lid) Look into skimmer for water flow Water surface movement Dye test

Flow Problems: Leaks Pump seal Clogged impeller (check baskets) Suction Discharge Pump seal Clogged impeller (check baskets) Motor issues Bad valves etc

Filtration 3 main types of Filtration “pre-filters” such as baskets Sand Cartridge DE “pre-filters” such as baskets Filters can be before or after a pump Most are on discharge side on pumps. Most are on suction side on spas (cartridge)

Sand Filtration Rapid sand High Rate Sand (most common) Layers of sand / multiple tanks High Rate Sand (most common)

Cartridge Filtration Replaceable Media Most common in portable spas Pleated fabric or treated paper

D.E. Filtration Filter powder MUST be used in conjunction with this type of filtration Add filter powder at the rate of 1.0 – 1.25 pounds per 10 s.f. of filter surface area.

Grid covered by cloth D.E. Powder on cloth Powder in place by water

Micron Removal Salt – 100 Hair – 70 Salt Rapid Rate – 50 Visibility – 40 High Rate – 25 50 40 Cartridge – 15 Red Blood Cell – 8 D.E. – 4 Bacteria – 1

Common Filtration Problems Filter needs backwashing Cartridges need cleaning Sand bed “channeling” DE filter “bridging”

Backwashing a Sand Filter

Cleaning a Cartridge or DE Filter Rinse off debris with hose or very light power washer Soak in de-greasing solution Rinse off and soak in acid solution if metal stains are present Replace in filter

Sand Bed Channeling Visually inspect sand bed Perform a “mud test” Common problem is hard water and high saturation index

DE Filter “Bridging”

Water Chemistry Everyone checks for sanitizer / disinfectant Commonly overlooked is water balance pH Total Alkalinity Calcium Hardness Total Dissolved Solids (water temperature)

Water Balance 9 24 33 50 66 76 91 97 8.5 8.0 7.8 7.5 7.2 7.0 6.5 6.0 % HOCl pH

Water Balance Langelier Saturation Index Determination if water is corrosive or scale forming Takes into account 5 balance values, does not consider sanitizer

Water Balance Values are given for each of your test results, pH is entered directly into the equation. “Balanced” water is water that is closest to ZERO on the Langelier Scale. TDS Factors

Saturation Index pH as tested is substituted directly Tf, Cf, Af and TDSf are determined by the Saturation Index Factor Chart

Water Chemistry There are also various “trouble shooter” chemicals to assist with cloudy water: Algaecides Sequestering Agents Clarifiers Borates

Chemical Controllers

Chemical Feeders Erosion feeder:

Chemical Feeders

Chemical Feeders Diaphram Pump

Motor nameplate info:

HEATERS Various types of heaters: Gas fired (natural and propane) Electronic ignition and millivolt Oil Fired Electric Heat Pump Solar Geothermal

Heaters

Why do pools “pop”?