Poolcare 101 Morning Show - Thursday, June 6, 2002
The only pool care TV show, featuring pool expert Judd Smith.

Welcome viewers to the Thursday edition of Poolcare 101

We hope you find the shows are entertaining and practical. We try to give you as much information as possible in 3 minutes. If for any reason you need more information, please contact us and we will be glad to help.

Today we shared Tips and Tricks with you. Here is a class review...

Tile Cleaning
Just about every pool will eventually get a "bathtub ring" at the waterline. This is due to evaporation, which always leaves behind minerals and deposits. Did you know the average pool can loose up to 4 inches of water a week in the summertime? There is no product on the market that I have found that can successfully remove calcium (many claims are made, but no proven results in my 15-year career). Calcium must be removed by mechanical means; not by chemicals. As we showed you on GMAZ, the pumice stone works very well. There are 2 drawbacks, however. First, it is very labor-intensive. It could take you days to get around the entire pool, but it CAN be done. We recommend you wear gloves so you don't get blisters. The second drawback is that you will use many stones. It depends on how much buildup you have, but plan on buying a bunch. You may want to try the stone first on a non-conspicuous place to make sure it does not damage the tile. Look for scratching or discoloration. You be the judge at what looks better; the calcium buildup, or a few minor scratches.

Another way to clean the tile is by using our glass beading process. We have a trailer-mounted machine that we use to remove the calcium. The process usually takes a couple of hours from start to finish. The price starts at $2.50/foot. We will give you a free estimate.

Lubrication
Lubricating the backwash valve is necessary about every 3 months to prevent it from sticking. We want it be able to slide up and down during backwashing, without binding. To do this, turn off your pump and remove the backwash valve. Using a lubricant like Magic Lube (available at the local pool store), apply some lube on the rubber o-rings, then re-assemble the valve into the backwash valve body. Turn on the pump and bleed off the air at the top of the filter. That's it. You are done!

The pump lid o-ring must also be lubricated. This can be done by removing the lid and applying Magic Lube to the rubber o-ring, then re-installing the lid. This will ensure a good seal, so the pump will not suck air (it also makes the lid easy to remove).

Rust Stains
Does your pool have light rust stains at the bottom that are concentrated in a small area? It is possible that some yard fertilizer was accidentally thrown into the pool while you were doing the yard (it happens quite often). The iron in the fertilizer will rust and leave an orange stain on the pool and cool deck. We recommend using a product called the "Stain Eraser". This tool attaches to the pool pole and can be used like a pencil eraser to remove stains. The eraser has rubber and pumice in it, which lightly rubs off the rust in most situations. If you have rust on the cool deck try using laundry detergent to remove it. If that will not work, rinse off the soap and then try a solution of 40% muriatic acid and 60% water. Scrub and rinse immediately. Be careful to observe all warnings on the acid container. That stuff is dangerous!

Vacuuming
So you have a party planned for this afternoon and the pool looks great, right? Well not so fast...Look over your shoulder and you see the monsoon coming your way. With it is thousands of pounds of dust flying around, and it is sure to pass over your pool and literally rain on your parade. Your automatic pool cleaner cannot clean the entire pool before
your gusts start to arrive, so what do you do? ...You do it the old-fashioned way. Get out the vacuum head (with little wheels on it) and attach it in place of the cleaning head of the automatic pool cleaner. Attach a pole, and you are on your way. You should be able to clean the entire pool in less than an hour in most cases. Remember to never vacuum when lightning is striking, or you may be forced to get acquainted with your new hair-style. Actually, lightning is very dangerous, and likes to find tall metal objects to use as a ground. If you are touching the pole when it becomes energized, it can end your life. Don't take chances. Let the storm pass before you start vacuuming.

Draining the Pool
Since our water evaporates at such a fast rate, calcium hardness and other solids will accumulate and make the water very "hard". The hardness cannot be removed unless the pool is drained. We recommend the pool be drained every 2 years to get rid of the hardness. This can be done with a submersible pump. Do not use your pool pump. It could burn out. Make sure the power to your pump is turned off at the breaker. Never drain your plaster pool until the outside air temperature is less than 80 degrees. Also, fill your pool immediately once it is drained (otherwise the plaster may begin to crack). Special Note: We are in the middle of a drought. The pool industry is asking that you do not drain your pool unless absolutely necessary. Conserve water to help Arizona and neighboring states. Thank You!

Stay tuned tomorrow for our final program for this week, Poolcare 101 Questions and Answers. We will be airing your questions live on TV3.
Got questions? We have answers!

Remember…BE WATER-WISE…..ALWAYS SUPERVISE
(480) 699-8926. • www.poolcare101.com • info@poolcare101.com

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