By Jamie Novak
The importance of proper circulation and filtration in pools cannot be overstated. Too often, pool owners throw copious amounts of chemicals at a pool problem that could likely be resolved by a good filter cleaning, proper circulation, and running the pump long enough. In a colder climate with a short season, some pool owners opt to run their pool pump 24 hours a day for optimum performance and to avoid problems.
Circulation
Proper circulation is essential to achieve the best possible water clarity in a pool. Without it, sanitizers are often not delivered where they are needed, and water is not pushed into the filtration device the way it should be. More often than not, problems cannot be solved unless proper circulation exists.
It is important to ensure the pool’s returns are pointed in the same direction (often recommended to be down and to the right) to create a consistent current of flow. Attention must also be paid to potential dead spots in areas such as the tanning ledge, which often do not have a return to move the water at all. In such cases, manual stirring with a pool brush, or other methods is necessary to keep chemicals mixing and water moving.
Test, test, test
Water conditions can change quickly and for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the water was tested yesterday, but between then and now, the homeowner hosted a giant pool giant party, which was followed by an intense overnight thunderstorm. It is all but guaranteed that something about the water parameters will have changed during that time, so it is important to test the water again.
Think of it in real-life terms: a doctor does not change medication without a series of questions followed by taking a few samples, and neither should pool owners when assessing water conditions. Once testing and analysis are complete, it is essential to balance the water before adding any specialty solutions to ensure the pool is set up for success.
Pro tip
Test pool water often, especially after pool parties and weather events.
Pump run time
Even with a good circulation pattern and a solid weekly brushing routine in place, the act of moving the water around is not complete. While some pool owners choose to run their variable-speed pump (VSP) 24/7 to give the pool the best possible chance for peak performance, not everyone opts to do so. While the pump can be set to run at a lower speed during the more expensive daylight hours (around 1,700-1,800 revolutions per minute [RPM]), programming a nighttime ramp-up where the pump increases to 3,200 RPM overnight is a good best practice.
- Savvy pool owners do this for a few reasons:
- The cost of energy is less expensive at night.
- Guests do not have to hear the louder pump setting when it is running at a higher speed.
- A VSP should have a ramp-up schedule at night for those using chemical feeders, skimmer-fed chlorination, or even salt chlorinators to properly maintain an adequate sanitizer level. Without enough water flow, many methods of sanitizer delivery may underperform, especially in the heat of the season. A nighttime ramp-up will assist in keeping up with the chlorine required during hot summer days.
Pro tip
Consider a clear chlorinator that allows one to see if and when the tablets need to be refilled. It is a game changer for working smarter, not harder.
Clean filters—do not just whiten them
Photo by Jason Cramp
As with circulation, having a clean filter is crucial for maintaining healthy water. Pools using diatomaceous earth (DE) or sand filters can be backwashed. Backwashing is advised when the filter pressure reaches 68,948 Pa (10 PSI) above start-up, indicating cleaning is required. It is important to check the filter gauge and replace it if it is not working properly. Manually checking for adequate flow out of the return can also help identify problems. If there is no pressure felt, backwashing may help.
Photos courtesy BioLab
Cartridge filters, however, need to be removed and physically cleaned. It is not enough to simply rinse off the element with water; pool owners and professionals should chemically clean the elements at least once or twice a season. Many pool owners believe for a pool’s cartridge filter to be considered clean, it has to be bright white (as often happens when using acid to clean the element). What some do not realize, however, is that using acid on its own can actually cause oils to set into the element, potentially decreasing its expected lifespan. It is recommended to use a filter degreasing product before acid washing. This will remove the dirt and oils before the acid treatment, which at this point would become optional, and it whitens the colour of the element.
Pro tip
Chemically clean filter elements at the end of the season when the pool closes so the pool starts fresh in the spring. Also, maintain a set of filters to allow for proper cleaning and drying without adding downtime for the customer.
Specialty solutions—enzymes
While proper pool filtration is crucial, it does not mean anyone enjoys cleaning or backwashing their filter. Luckily, innovation has provided newer technologies that work to increase filter run cycles, so pool owners and professionals do not have to clean filters as often. Enzyme-based products reduce the frequency of filter cleanings by attacking non-living organic waste in the pool and on the filter. They can easily be added to a pool program to provide immediate benefits to pool owners and service technicians alike.
These products offer ultimate cleaning power, meaning fewer manual filter cleanings are required when used consistently. Enzyme maintenance products also help reduce unsightly scum lines that tend to build up at the waterline of the pool, which no one enjoys scrubbing. In addition to these benefits, which decrease the amount of elbow grease needed for pool care, enzymes also improve the overall efficiency of the entire pool program. They work hard, so pool owners do not have to.
Pro tip
Battling heavy bather loads at a serviced pool? Enzyme products can be automatically dosed with a feeder pump. A typical enzyme maintenance product is dosed once a week (always check the specific manufacturer’s recommended amount and frequency). Auto-dosing smaller amounts of an enzyme product each day, instead of a bulk dose once per week, can improve the benefits experienced in a heavy bather load situation.
Kathi Belcourt of AquaTech Pools in Winnipeg frequently recommends enzyme products to her customers.
“I have a different approach for how I present enzymes based on the customer’s unique needs,” she says. “For some customers, the key benefit is extending their filter’s run cycle and controlling scum lines because they don’t have a lot of extra time to work on their pool over the weekend. For other customers, it’s the benefit of clearer water throughout the week between when they shock the pool. Either way, I think incorporating an enzyme maintenance product to any pool care routine allows swimmers to have a better experience and pool owners to do less work.”
Specialty solutions—liquid solar technology
Reducing evaporation can significantly decrease the amount of work required for pool owners and professionals. While liquid solar technology is not quite as impactful as a physical solar cover, it can help reduce heat loss and evaporation without the need to lug a heavy (and often dirty) solar cover on and off the pool. Liquid solar technology creates an invisible barrier at the surface of the pool water that reduces evaporation and heat loss.
It is especially important to keep the returns pointed down when using this type of technology because breaking the surface tension of the water can decrease its effectiveness.
Pro tip
Use both a physical solar cover and a liquid solar product together to maintain heat and reduce evaporation at pool opening and closing time.
Closing advice on optimizing pump run times
Maintaining a pool’s proper circulation and filtration is essential for ensuring clean, healthy water and reducing the workload for pool owners and professionals. By adhering to best practices such as testing water frequently, optimizing pump run times, and keeping filters clean, pool owners can prevent many common issues. The incorporation of specialty solutions such as enzyme-based products and liquid solar technology can further enhance efficiency and reduce maintenance efforts. By following these guidelines, pool owners can enjoy a more pleasant and manageable pool care routine, ensuring their pools are always ready for enjoyment.
Jamie Novak is the director of Pro Brands Marketing at BioLab, a division of KIK Consumer Products. With more than 19 years of experience in the pool industry, she has held multiple positions in sales and marketing for major manufacturers including Zodiac Pool Systems and AquaStar Pool Products. Prior to the pool industry, Novak worked for Newell Rubbermaid in the DC metro area. She holds an MBA with concentrations in marketing and leading organizations from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. A storyteller by nature, Novak is passionate about branding and the customer experience.
