Helping out the pump
Facility operators/managers should ensure facility staff regularly clean out the skimmer and strainer baskets as this will not only help keep the water chemistry in check, but will also extend the life of the pump. Indeed, an indoor pool or spa will have less debris and will need to be cleaned less often; therefore, this applies more to outdoor facilities.
Naturally, there are more things in the outdoor environment that will get into the pool and/or spa. When the skimmer and strainer baskets get clogged, the pump has to work much harder to maintain the optimum flowrate. It may not seem like much, but over a long period of time, if the system is kept as clear as possible, and the pump is allowed to operate with the least amount of resistance, it will last longer. It is impossible to pinpoint how much longer exactly, but it will certainly extend the life of the equipment. Therefore, by simply keeping the system clear of debris and helping it work as little as possible, facility managers will see a higher yield on the initial investment of the pump. Water chemistry is also affected by this—the cleaner staff keeps the water from organic debris, the easier it will be to keep it clean, clear, and properly balanced.
Brush regularly
Having staff brush the pool walls on a weekly basis is also highly recommended, as this removes anything that may have started to grow on them. The debris simply falls into the water where it is chemically treated and filtered. For example, if an algae bloom is left unattended on a pool wall for a week, and the chlorine levels are not high enough to oxidize it, it is only going to get worse. In fact, it could potentially stain the pool’s finish, causing it to turn green. Even if the pool and/or spa walls look spotless to the naked eye, a quick brushing by staff will help to ensure the cleanest pool/spa possible, all while extending the life of the finish.
Keeping the filter clean and pressures down is good for the pump and filter system. Understanding why backwashing is important when the filter pressure rises above its set point is a good practice to get into. Facility operators can refer to the operation manual for the individual unit to determine the filter’s operating and maximum pressures. The benefits for doing this include: cleaner pool water and filtration media, and the pump does not have to work as hard to circulate the water as the pressure is lower.
If the pump is controlled by a variable-frequency drive (VFD), it will be ramped up to run faster to keep up with the set flowrate when the filter media is dirty. Backwashing the filter cleans it out, allowing the VFD to power down the pump to its normal operating level, which is required for the set flowrate.
If a sand filter is being used, operators should ensure the media is changed approximately every five to seven years depending on how frequently the pool is used. If the pool has a high bather load, the media should be replaced much sooner. Essentially, overtime the granules of sand get worn down and they lose their jagged edges and filtering capability. Under a microscope, these granules, when new, are squared and rigid, which allows them to trap particles from the water as it flows through the filter.
When backwashing, this involves running water through the filter in the opposite direction to clean the media. This practice effectively loosens most of the trapped particles from the sand bed and flushes it to waste, out of the pool. By ensuring the filter media is maintained properly, operators can make it easier to keep the pool clean and the water properly balanced. Both contribute to the overall health and longevity of the pool.
Making light work
If an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system is being used, facility operators should make sure the lamp is routinely changed to ensure optimal performance. The frequency of changing the lamp should be verified with the manufacturer based on the particular model being used. There are other maintenance items that need to be considered, besides the UV lamp (bulb), but these tasks are specific to the unit installed on the pool or spa.
For instance, biennial replacement of the quartz sleeve might be a recommendation. The quartz sleeve protects the lamp from the water, but it degrades overtime and prevents the UV rays from effectively passing through to deactivate bacteria. If they are not replaced, as per manufacturer’s instructions, the UV system will not function to its designed operating potential. Eventually, if left too long, the unit will fail and the quartz tube, along with the lamp, will need to be replaced. For a facility operator/manager, this means a reactive repair will be needed, which will be much more costly to fix than performing proactive maintenance.
