"Helpful Tips"



How do you know when to close your pool?

Here’s a general rule that’s good to keep in mind: The more time your pool is in use, the better it is for your pool’s overall health and well-being. When the water isn’t circulating and chemicals are not being added, the likelihood for problems increases. That’s why it’s best to delay closing your pool until the water temperature falls below 70 degrees. If you close the pool too early, you won’t have enough chemicals left to fight algae and other unwanted conditions when spring comes around. Keep your pool open and ready for fun as long as temperatures allow.


Closing/Winterizing Your Pool

How you treat your pool in the winter months will have a big effect on spring opening. Winterize correctly and you’ll have a much easier time when it comes to opening your pool for the next fun swimming season. BioGuard® has the kits and products you need to maintain your pool brilliantly — whether you need to completely close your pool or just reduce the frequency of maintenance steps due to less use. (It all depends where you live!) But here are some basic steps to follow when the colder months approach.

1. Clean your pool thoroughly, brushing and vacuuming walls and floors.
2. Bring in a water sample to your BioGuard Dealer.
3. Follow instructions for balancing your water to make sure total alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness, and sanitizer levels are in proper ranges.
4. Ask your dealer which BioGuard Winter Kit would be best for your pool. If you’d like, you can take a look at your choices of Winter Kits now. You can also browse through Individual Off-Season Products.
5. Review the personalized maintenance plan your dealer gives you and ask any questions you may have. Your printout will have simple, step-by-step instructions but your BioGuard Dealer is happy to help!
6. Feel confident that your pool surfaces and equipment will be protected all winter long; your water will look its best; and you’ll avoid spending extra money and time on maintenance at spring opening.

As we get deeper into the summer and temperatures rise, here are some conditions to look out for and ways to minimize any mid-season issues.


• Very warm weather encourages bacteria and algae to grow. All those extra swimmers mean more contaminants get in your pool. Swimmers leave behind things like perspiration, lotions, body oils and hair. So keep in mind that heavy bather load is another factor in causing potential problems.Your pool water can look cloudy, get a greenish tint, smell funny, or may not look as crystal clear as you'd like. Make sure you're using an algae preventative and your sanitizer levels are sufficient. Your BioGuard® Dealer can suggest the proper products and applications.


• Because of the extra activity and higher temperatures, you want to make sure your pool is balanced throughout the summer. Your BioGuard Dealer will test your water to see that it falls within the following ranges:

Free chlorine level
-chlorinated pools only

1.0 - 3.0 ppm
Total bromine level
-brominated pools only 		1.0 - 3.0 ppm

Sanitizer (SoftSwim® B)
-biguanide treated pools only

30 - 50 ppm
Total alkalinity 125 - 150 ppm
pH 7.4 - 7.6
Calcium hardness (plaster and SoftSwim) 200 – 275 ppm
Calcium hardness (All others) 175 – 225 ppm

If these numbers are "off," your BioGuard Dealer will tell you how to correct these important characteristics of your pool water. With the proper care and products, your water can remain clear and beautiful all summer long.


Also be sure to inspect and chemically clean your filter in mid-season. You should plan to do it every 4-6 weeks.

Going On Vacation
While you're on vacation, debris and bacteria can collect in your pool and upset the water balance. You could come home to a cloudy, ugly-looking pool. But that doesn't have to happen if you take a few steps before packing those bags.

1. Contact your BioGuard® Dealer for a vacation maintenance plan. Your dealer can give you specific instructions according to the BioGuard Program you're using: 3-Step, SoftSwim®, or Mineral Springs®.

2. Clean your pool thoroughly, brushing and vacuuming walls and floors.

3. Test pool water and make sure it's balanced before you leave. Anything that's out of balance — total alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness — will probably only get worse while the pool is left unused.

4. Run your pump. Keeping the pool water circulating will go a long way in preventing algae and bacteria growth. Make sure your pump runs at least eight hours a day. Either set your timer or ask a neighbor to turn it on and off.

5. When you come home, be sure to bring your BioGuard Dealer a water sample to make sure your pool is properly balanced and ready for swimming. Then all you have to worry about is unpacking!

 

Opening Your Pool
Opening your pool the right way is the first step to a season of carefree maintenance and swimming fun. The steps below are basic guidelines. See your BioGuard® Dealer for more specific information.

1. Remove Your Pool Cover
(Skip this step for new pools.) If you use a solid cover, drain off the water - but not into the pool. Sweep the cover and clean it with BioGuard Stow Away® to prevent sticking and unpleasant odors. Store it in a dry place that's free of debris and protected from the sun and weather.

2. Fill Your Pool
Your pool must be filled to the middle of the skimmer opening to properly circulate.

3. Check Your Pump, Skimmer Basket and Filter
Make sure all equipment is clean and in working order. Start the circulation system and remove debris from the pool. Your filter is a very important part of your pool's maintenance program. If it's not working properly, the products you add won't do their job either. If the filter (sand, D.E. or cartridge) is dirty or wasn't cleaned before your pool was closed, remove grease and oil with BioGuard Strip Kwik®. For scale build-up (white or gray flaky mineral deposits), use BioGuard Kleen It®.

4. Bring In A Water Sample For Testing
Circulate the water 24 to 48 hours before taking a water sample. Using a clean plastic container (or even better, one provided by your dealer), scoop about a quart of water at elbow-depth from the pool. Seal the container to avoid leaks and take it to your BioGuard Dealer for testing and analysis.

BioGuard® pioneered the idea of computerized water analysis. Over the past 25 years, we have used our resources to research, develop and refine the science of water analysis. Today, our computerized water analysis system provides accurate results almost instantly. You receive personalized instructions for starting your pool. We recommend bringing a sample of water for analysis each month during the season to keep your water perfectly balanced.

5. Test Sanitizer And pH Levels
If you test the pool water yourself, use the BioGuard 1200V Test Kit or BioGuard test strips to check the free chlorine or total bromine residuals and pH levels. The chart below provides the proper levels you need to keep pool water in balance.

Free chlorine residual 1.0 to 3.0 ppm
Total Bromine residual 1.0 to 3.0 ppm
pH 7.4 to 7.6 is ideal range
(7.2 -7.8 is acceptable)
Total Alkalinity 125 to 150 ppm

Calcium Hardness:
Plaster pools

All other types


200 to 275 ppm

175 to 225 ppm
There are many BioGuard products available to help you make sure your water stays in proper balance and ready for your swimming enjoyment.

6. Routine Maintenance
Now that you're into the swim of things, we recommend routine maintenance with a BioGuard 3-Step Program. If you prefer a non-chlorinating system, we have that too! It's the SoftSwim® Program, a complete line of non-chlorinating products that is very gentle on your skin, eyes and hair.



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