Splash Super Pool Parts

The water in a swimming pool needs to circulate through a filtering system, to remove dirt and debris. During normal operation, water flows to the filtering system through two or more main drains at the bottom of the pool and multiple skimmer drains around the top of the pool.

The main drains are usually located on the lowest point in the pool, so the entire pool surface slants toward them. Most of the dirt and debris that sinks exits the pool through these drains. To keep people from getting their hair or limbs caught in the plumbing, the drains are almost always covered with grates or antivortex covers (a cover that diverts the flow of water to prevent a dangerous vortex from forming).
Diagram of a swimming pool skimmer

The skimmers draw water the same way as the main drains, but they suck only from the very top of the pool (the top eighth of an inch, typically). Any debris that floats — leaves, suntan oil, hair — leaves the pool through these drains. The diagram below shows a common system.

Please visit our web site for any and all of your pool filter needs by clicking HERE www.SplashPoolParts.com

Was that a long winter or what? Spring is here and it’s time to get your pool ready for the swim season. Below is a great way to get started on opening your pool. If you find you need parts, please visit our web site www.SplashPoolParts.com

Overview of Pool Opening Procedure:

A pool properly maintained during the winter months can be prepared for a new season of swimming with a minimum of effort. Pump, hose, or sweep away water, dirt, or debris from the cover and deck. Remove the cover and plugs from all openings. If the water was in good shape at the end of last season, proper cover removal will ensure that your pool opens relatively clear. If they were removed at the pool closing, raise the underwater lights from the bottom of the pool and install them in their niches. Turn on the electric power and start up the support system. Check for leaks and proper operation. If you find any problems, consult your owner’s manual or contact a local pool service company. Have the heater professionally serviced before you use it. Test and adjust the pH and total alkalinity. Super chlorinate and adjust the PH & Alkalinity levels of the water. Run the pump 24 hours a day at the beginning of the season when it may be difficult to get the pool water balanced. You can reduce the pump operating time in one-hour increments once you’ve got the water in shape. Treat the water with an algaecide. After several hours of operation, test the chlorine level and adjust it as needed. If the chlorine level is high, do not use the pool until it drops to normal levels.

Opening the Pool (Detailed):

1. Remove the leaves and debris from the pool cover with a leaf net and/or skimmer net.  Pump off any excess rain water with a submersible pump.   If an above ground pool, the excess water may be siphoned off instead.

2. Remove cover.  Try to minimize the amount of water and/or debris that gets into the pool water.  Some dirty water will always manage to get in – don’t worry about it.  You will be adding shock to the water and filtering it soon, so a little dirty water will not hurt anyone.

3. Lay out pool cover and sweep or brush off any remaining debris.  If you do not store your cover indoors, and you keep it outside or in a shed, then you do not have to worry about getting the cover particularly spotlessly clean.   If you do keep it in the garage or basement, you may want to clean it to a greater extent.  Properly fan-fold cover and store away.

4. Empty the water out of any water tubes you may have.   On above ground pools, deflate the air pillow.  Clean off items and fold properly and store away.

5. Unplug all piping, both in the pool and at the filter system area.

6. Re-attach any deck equipment you have such as ladders, rails, diving boards, etc.  Make sure to reconnect any grounding wires or straps that may have been attached to the metal parts last year.

The first step in the weatherization procedure is to make sure your water chemistry is balanced. You should make sure that your pH, Total Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness are all balanced. By balancing your water chemistry you are protecting the surface of the pool from staining and etching.

Adding a winterizing chemical kit to your water will help keep it blue and clear for the next season. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the kit.

Do not use a floater that contains a strong oxidizer (chlorine or bromine) as the floater will stick against the wall and stain and/or bleach your wall, especially a vinyl liner. For the same reasons DO NOT throw chlorine or bromine tablets into the pool. They will sink to the bottom and damage your pool’s surface.

When water freezes, it expands. This can cause great damage to your pool, pool plumbing, and its filter system. If you are closing up your pool for the winter, you should always take precautions to protect from freeze damage no matter where you live. You can never be sure that it will not drop below freezing, even in the Sun Belt.

The next step is to lower the water below the mouth of your skimmer(s). This will get the water out of the throat of the skimmer which can be easily damaged if water were to freeze there.

Another option for vinyl liner pools is to put an Aquador over the mouth of the skimmer. This is a plastic dam which holds out the water from the skimmer, allowing you to leave the water level up for the winter. This will help in supporting your cover and also help keep the liner from “floating” if the winter is your rainy season.

Blow out the water from your plumbing lines. You can do this using a shop vac. Use the discharge of the shop vac to blow water out of each line from the filter system. As the water is purged from each line, you will need to put a plug in the lines at the pool end. Some fittings will allow for a threaded plug, which is best. Be sure to use a plug with a rubber gasket or “O” ring to make a seal, or the water may fill the line back up. If your fittings are not threaded, then use a rubber freeze plug.

You should cover your pool to keep out the debris. The type of cover you use will depend upon several factors. Our Splash Pool swimming pool covers provide several functions. They can act as a safety device, preventing children and pets from falling into the pool and drowning. They keep dirt and debris out of the pool, particularly in winter. They also reduce evaporation, retain heat, and can provide solar heat gain if using a solar pool cover.

The final step? You must drain all the water from your filter equipment. Please see the filter manual or contact the manufacturer for full instructions on draining the filter or contact your local pool professional.

Summer is here and a Splash Pool is the place to be! Whether you’ve purchased the Splash SuperPool, Omega Pool, Alpha or have one of the older model Legend SplashPools, it’s important to keep your pool sparkling clear and ready for a summer pool bash. Vaccuming your pool isn’t a hard job but it can be tricky. In this article we offer tips and tricks to making the chore of pool cleaning a breeze.

To vacuum your SplashPool, you may either use an automatic cleaner or the traditional manual method. If you choose the manual method, you will need a 1.5″ flexible vacuum hose of adequate length, a vinyl liner vacuum head, and a telescopic pole.

Begin by turning pump and filter off, then place vacuum hose on vacuum head or automatic cleaner. Place vacuum (either auto cleaner or vinyl vacuum head attached to end of telescopic pole) in pool, allowing hose to fill with water. Continue to “feed” hose straight down into water, thus removing air from the hose and replacing it with water. Once you get to the end of the hose, water will come out. Turn pump and filter on and begin vacuuming.

Automatic Vacuuming

With the pump turned off, place the Vacuum Adapter Plate (“N” on SuperPools, “L” on OmegaPools) on top of the Floating Skimmer Weir (“J” on SuperPools, “H” on OmegaPools). Once the pump is turned on, the suction of the pump will hold the plate in place.

Attach vacuum hose into adapter plate hole. Again, pump suction will hold hose in place. Turn on the pump and filter; the pool is now ready to be vacuumed. The automatic vacuum will run on its own. When pool is clean, turn off pump and filter, unplug vacuum hose, remove vacuum, and remove adapter plate. This is a good time to empty
any debris from the Skimmer Basket (“L” on SuperPools, “J” on OmegaPools). Finally, turn pump back on to continue filtering.

WARNING: Do not attempt to remove or install the
vacuum plate while pump and filter are running. The
suction is very powerful;  fingers may get pinched
between the vacuum plate and the skimmer.

DO NOT swim in the pool while vacuum is running.

WARNING: Keep body parts away from vacuum plate  when in place and pump and filter are running.

Please visit our online store at SplashPoolParts.com and use the coupon code 10percent to receive 10% off of your order! Thanks for visiting and have a great summer in your SplashPool!

Having a pool is about revitalizing your backyard experience and creating a comfortable, enjoyable space for family and friends. SplashPoolParts.com can make owning an above ground pool a lot easier. In this article we’ll offer some tips on maintaining your automatic pool cleaner.

Cleaner not cleaning the entire pool?

This can be caused by any number of reasons. The hoses could be too short. Another real common cause is the cleaner could be following the flow pattern of the water in the pool, in other words, strong flow from wall return jets will push the cleaner into a pattern. To fix this; adjust the return port wall fittings, or add wall fittings to the return ports. It helps to point the fittings down or at a downward angle. If you pool doesn’t have wall fittings at the return ports there are alternative wall fittings made by the manufactures to divert the flow.

Unit does not move?

Be sure that the Auto Vacuum is turned on and that no fuses have blown. Check the electrical outlet with another electrical appliance to be sure that power is available. Inspect the unit itself while it’s partially underwater. Is the pump motor receiving power? Is there water gushing out of the top of the unit? This would indicate that power is reaching the unit.

Is the pulley on the drive belt side turning? If the pulley is not moving, this could indicate a shorted motor, or a corroded drive T, which would also require motor replacement.

Is the skimmer bottom suction hose in good repair? Hoses become stretched and weaken over time. If your belts are “skipping” and are not locked into the grooves of either the drive pulley or the wheel tubes, they may need to be replaced. Check that the wheel tubes are in proper position with bushings in place on either end. If the tubes are not straight, the drive belts will not be tight. Do not pull the unit towards the side of the pool, or lift the unit out of the pool by the power cord. Try to reach into the pool and lift the unit only by the handle.

Unit does not pump?

If the unit moves, but does not pick up any debris, lift the unit up near the surface of the water. Does water gush out of the top? If not, the pump motor may be shorted. Unplug the unit and pull it out of the water. Remove the vent cap on top of the unit and check that the impeller does not have string wound around the base. Turn the impeller by hand to check spin. Plug in unit and check spin. If there is no spin, the pump is probably shorted.

Another indication that the pump motor is not working properly is if the unit won’t climb the walls very far before falling off. The pump motor provides the suction it needs for climbing.

If you’ve tried all these tips and your automatic pool cleaner still isn’t functioning properly, it may be time to purchase a new pool cleaner. Should you decide to make your purchase at SplashPoolParts.com use the coupon code 10percent during checkout and receive a 10% discount on your order.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer in your SplashPool!

Over time (from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how much the pool is used and environmental conditions), your filter will require cleaning. You might notice a loss of suction when vacuuming or an increase in filter gauge pressure. You should clean the filter when the pressure increases 8-10 lbs. above the filter’s initial start-up
pressure.

A. Sand Filter
1. Begin by shutting off power to the system.
2. Move the lever at top of filter from “filter mode” to “backwash mode”.
3. Turn power to the system back on.
4. Continue to backwash until waste water becomes clear. Note: It is a good idea to attach a hose to the backwash outlet of the filter. Run the hose to an area where the water will drain away. Also, be sure the water level remains high enough so as not to lose the prime.
5. When waste water is clear, shut off power to the system.
6. Turn lever back to the “filter mode” setting.
7. Turn pump and filter back on.

B. Cartridge Filter
1. Begin by shutting off power to the system.
2. Close the Ball Valve.
3. Screw a Threaded Plug (found in separate plastic bag) into Return Wall Fitting from the inside of the pool.
4. Open Air Relief Valve.
5. Remove the lid from the Filter Canister.
6. Lift out the Cartridge Filter and clean with a garden hose.
7. Clean Filter Canister by removing Drain Plug at base of filter. Replace plug.
8. Replace Filter Element and reattach lid.

C. Pump Basket
1. Remove pump lid and clean pump basket. Replace lid.
2. Open Ball Valve, remove Threaded Plug from Return Wall Fitting, and close Air Relief Valve.
3. Turn power to the system back on.

WARNING: Pump must be shut off when cleaning

Pools require filter changes, routine cleaning, and a careful check of the pH water balance during the swimming season. If proper water balance is maintained, and you insure that the circulation system in your new pool is adequate and always working properly, then two thirds of the battle is done. A lot of the chemical considerations are determined by the amount of usage the pool gets during the summer months.

Sanitizing your pool is a must to insure the health of pool users. Typically, chlorine is added to the pool on a weekly basis. Chlorine works in the water to kill bacteria and contaminants. This can be accomplished by several methods. A chlorine feeder is available from your local pool dealership. You can also mix the chlorine, which always come in a granular form, with water, and apply it yourself. Always be careful in the process and not dump it all in quickly, but add only a little at a time. Any chemical is caustic, and safety is a must.

You may also consider using bromine to sanitize your pool. It is preferred by people with very sensitive skin, and those who hate the chorine smell. The biggest disadvantage of using bromine is its cost, which is much higher than chlorine.

After the water has been sanitized, it is then “shocked” approximately every two weeks before adding chlorine again. Because chlorine loses its effectiveness after a period of interacting with pool waste and contaminants, the shocker is used to clean out all of the leftover debris from the chlorine interaction in the water. The process, called oxidization, cleans the swimmer waste from the pool, such as skin cells, suntan lotions, cosmetics, and even urine, and rids the pool of old chlorine. If you notice the pool has a strong chlorine smell, or is cloudy, it’s probably because the pool is not being maintained properly. Shocking the pool will quickly cure this ailment. The pool will then be re-chlorinated.

It is always a good idea to take a sample of your pool water to your local pool dealership for testing on a monthly basis to insure that the water is correctly balanced. This will also help to foresee any problems that may be arising in your pool. Be sure to circulate the water in your pool for at least 8 to 12 hours continuously during the day.

On a weekly basis, vacuum and skim your pool to remove any debris. Doing so helps control pool contamination. It is also effective in discouraging algae growth in your pool.

Other regular maintenance includes the changing of filters on a regular basis as recommended by your pool dealership, and making sure that all O rings in the system are greased and void of cracks or abrasions. Check electrical connections on a regular basis to insure there is no frayed or cracked wiring. Keep skimmer baskets free of debris, and keep the pool area free of vegetation and leaves to insure there is no contamination of the pool.

Pool maintenance should always include checking things such as diving boards, handrails, and ladders to insure there are no loose or rusted bolts. Inspect your diving board for any cracks or stressed areas, and replace if you find these problems. Doing so will insure the safety of all pool users.

There are MANY reasons for cloudy pool water: early algae growth; environmental issues such as frequent, heavy rains; lack of sunlight on the pool (UV sunlight is an excellent natural oxidizer); poor circulation, lack of pool use; too little filtration time, pool filter should run 8 to 12 hours each day that the pool is open; improper pool vacuuming & pool surface brushing; neglecting to shock the pool on a regular weekly or bi-weekly basis (shocking helps to eliminate build-ups of things that won’t be processed by the filter, such as body oils & lotions, plus kills early outbreaks of algae). Be sure your swimming pool has been thoroughly vacuumed with a good pool vaccum! Eliminate these issues first before using water clarifying products.

Steps for Pool Water Clarification Treatments:

1.) Test swimming pool water for Combined Chlorine, pH, Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness. The two areas that are most likely to cause cloudy pool water (from a basic water chemistry standpoint) are the pH and the Calcium Hardness.

2.) If the pool chemical levels are not within the following suggested ranges, adjust the chemicals and run the pool filter system for 12-24 hours before re-testing. Free Chlorine: 1-3 ppm (the pool owner should be aware that the Total Chlorine level must be the same as the Free Chlorine, if the Total is higher, there exists Combined Chlorines or Chloramines. Combined Chlorine should be ZERO), pH: 7.2 – 7.6, Total Alkalinity: 90 – 120 ppm (certain products require a TA of 80 ppm) and Calcium Hardness: 200 – 350 ppm.

3.) If you are unable to maintain a solid chlorine or bromine level for at least 3 consecutive days without shocking, you may have a chlorine demand problem which will require special treatment & needs to be addressed before the problem worsens.

4.) If all the pool chemical levels test in range, the cloudy pool water is caused by fine debris suspended in the pool water. You should backwash or clean your pool filter following the manufacturer’s instructions, and run the pool filter system continuously for 24 to 48 hours. Too Frequent back washing, especially with a sand filter, will cause the filter to not filter out fine particulate. As the sand bed of the filter accumulates debris, it actually helps to tighten the filter media resulting in the ability for better filtration. A good rule of thumb is to backwash only when the pressure of the water returning to the pool is noticeably diminished.

5.) If the water conditions have not significantly improved you should add a clarifier pool chemical to the pool water to help your pool filter remove the fine debris from the water. Continue filtering for without interruption until the water clears.

6.) If the water conditions have not significantly improved you should add a second dose of clarifier, or a stronger clarifier chemical and continue to run your filtration system. Keep in mind that TOO MUCH clarifier will actually work against the clarifying process; particles will repel one another rather attract. Follow label instructions to the letter. Do not repeat more often than 2 additional times over the course of one week.

7.) Sometimes a pool can be too cloudy for a clarifier. If this is the case you will have to move up to a floc. This will drop any suspended particles to the floor so you can vacuum it to waste.

We hope this helps and please let us know if we can be of any further help. Have a great summer in your pool!

http://www.splashpoolparts.com

If you have been a proud owner of  a in-ground swimming pool  or an above ground pool for quite some time now, you are probably  already aware of the importance of a pool filter.  However,   if you are one of those still about to have his/her very own swimming  pool and are looking or inquiring about pool  supplies that they will be needing,  perhaps, this article  will be of help to you.

Have you ever cooked  pasta?  One of the steps in cooking it  is filtering the noodles that  you will use, right?  You can only do this by using a filter – that filter works just the same way as your swimming pool filter.  It is the one that serves as a barrier of the pool water from the  dirt or debris that are collected in the  swimming pool.  It keeps all the unwanted  things from staying  in your  pool water for a long time leaving you with a cleaner and much safer swimming pool to use.  We all do want to be safe around it and using swimming pool supplies like pool fences, pool alarms, etc is not enough.  We may be safe from drowning yet our health will not be safe because of the possibility of the unseen bacteria that could get eventually get into our body systems without the poll filter.  There are three types of pool filters that pool owners can pick out from –  the sand, the cartridge and  the diatomaceous earth (DE).  Picking out  the  one that  will suit you best needs to take some time to think about  and as a pool owner that will choose one, you need some information on each one so that you  will know the facts upon which you base your choices.  As much as possible, get to know  and try to list the advantages and disadvantages of each one on a notebook or a paper that you will make sure to  bring with you upon heading out to your local stores to buy.  It is important to be wise since there are pool clerks who will try to fool you just to increase their sales.

Although having a swimming pool at the house is pleasant enough, over time, they can also be a bit boring as well.  Eventually, owners will not use it as much.   Capture the fun again by installing a pool slide to liven up your backyard enjoyment.

Contrary to what most people think, slides do not just belong in water parks.  Home owners can also take advantage of having a slide.   Just make sure to choose the right model and style for your pool and your yard.

Here are some various tips to help you choose the right slide.

1. Check with your local town and county to make sure there are no ordinances or codes about pool slides.   If there are restrictions, make it a point to follow these rules to a tee so you would not have to deal with having to remove and maybe return your slide to the store.

2. If you are going for thrills without any expense spared, then definitely have one designed by an engineer just for your pool.   But if you want something that is easily removed and installed again, just go ahead and buy those collapsible slides on the market which are made from PVC, plastic and/or fiberglass.

3. Take a look at the design.  The classic straight slide occupies a lot of space or would you rather experiment on a curly slide with a lot of bumps? Whatever your choice is, just make sure that the design of your choice is appropriate for the people who are going to use it. If one expects a lot of kids to play on your pool slide, then perhaps the simple straight design will work best.

These are some general guidelines to follow when buying and choosing a slide for the pool.  As long as you follow them then one can be assured of finding the perfect fit. Now before we end everything, here is a final tip that we can impart. If one is not familiar with pool slides, then do not attempt to install the slide yourself because it can just be too risky and dangerous for your family.  An improperly installed piece of equipment is definitely an accident waiting to happen and the repercussions may be costly.

To find out how you can have a pool slide for your back yard fun, visit us for all your swimming pool slide needs. And if you have an above ground pool, please visit SplashPoolParts.com for your Splash Pool parts!