How to make your pool sparkle

How do you clear cloudy pool water and make it sparkle? There are a few things that all work together to keep your water crystal clear including your water chemistry & filtration times.

Here are our top tips to keep your pool water sparkling!

Check your Water level

If it’s dropped below the middle of your skimmer box, give it a top-up with the hose. Filling it halfway up your skimmer will allow for proper circulation, which helps your filter remove impurities from the water!

quick Filter checkup

Getting sparkling pool water all season can be as easy as making sure your filtration system is operating and continues to run at its peak. An average pool should run for 6-8 hours per day in the summer, the pool filter works continuously to remove debris, contaminants, and other impurities from the water.

Similar to a vacuum cleaner after a while the build-up of waste in your filter will affect the flow. Poor flow results in poor circulation, which can then lead to cloudy water and algae outbreaks!

In preparation for summer, give your filter a checkup. This involves removing any hidden debris build-up and then giving it a clean with the recommended method for your filtration system.

If you have a sand filter, you’ll need to backwash your filter to flush out contaminants. During the swimming season, we recommend backwashing a sand or Activated Filter Media® (AFM) filter when the pressure gauge reads 10 psi above the normal operating level. Sand should be replaced every five years. AFM®, however, is expected to last the lifetime of your filter!

If you have a cartridge filter, remove the cartridges and check every few weeks and hose them down when necessary... you'll need to replace the cartridges every two to three years.

After giving your filter a thorough clean, we suggest adding a dose of BioGuard Filter Brite®. It will remove any remaining scale or waste deposits while also sanitising the filter media or cartridge. This product is suitable for all filtration systems and can also be used when you give your filter its annual deep clean.

Every filtration system is slightly different. If you need any assistance with your filter maintenance, give us a call or use the button below to request a service!

Test your water

Now that you’ve rejuvenated your filter, the next thing to tick off your list is water balance! We can test your pool or spa water using state-of-the-art computerised equipment to make sure you get the right balance. Once we've tested the water we can advise you on you'll need to correct any chemical imbalances.

We then recommend testing your water every week at home and in-store with us once a month. Staying on top of your water balance is the secret to saving money and achieving sparkling water all Summer!

This way we'll be able to keep your water safe, prevent damage to your surfaces and equipment, and allows your pool products to work most efficiently!

3-Step Program Kit

Tailored just for you, the 3-Step Program Kit will contain the following:

1. A sanitiser for healthy water

2. An oxidiser for sparkling water

3. An algaecide for clean water

Getting the sparkle

Now let's get that extra sparkle!

An oxidiser is a product that works to remove and destroy swimmer wastes and organic contaminants in your water, keeping it crystal clear! We suggest BioGuard Lite® as an easy-to-use oxidiser that allows swimmers back in the water an hour after treatment.

If you're ready to take your pool water to the next level, you can also add a weekly dose of BioGuard Pool Complete™. It’s the final touch for any pool maintenance as its 3-in-1 formula keeps water super clear, prevents scum line build-up, and removes phosphates.

If you follow these simple steps, your pool water will sparkle all season!

Got questions?… Call us on (03) 9769 3252

How to solve pool water flow issues

Low water flow and No water flow are common issues faced by many pool owners every year. There are a few quick checks you can do to see where the issue is and simple ways to rectify them.

Flow problems can happen for a few reasons, and if not fixed quickly can lead to damage to your equipment like, cracked baskets, broken internals, motor burnout or leaking seals, which could cost more than expected!

#1 Blocked Baskets

The most common reason for low or no water flow is your skimmer and/or pump baskets are full of debris. By checking and emptying both the skimmer basket (by the pool) and the pump basket (inside the pump), this will help free up the water flow, allowing the system to fully ‘prime’ and function at full capacity.

*Always turn the pump off before you remove the baskets! If your pool pump is below water level you will need to close any valves in front of the pump and set the multiport valve on the filter to ‘closed’ to avoid water spilling everywhere!

Check your baskets for cracks or broken pieces as this can allow leaves to clog up in other areas of your system.

#2 Low water level

With long spells of hot weather, windy conditions, no rain or just extra swimming, your pool water level can drop below the skimmer box and reduce (or even stop) water flow through the system. The ideal water level for your pool is at least halfway up the skimmer box opening.

*When filling up the pool with water from the garden hose or water tank, ensure that you have your water tested for phosphates after your water level is back to normal.

#3 Check if your pump is primed

Look through the clear pump lid while the system is on, if it isn’t completely filled with water, turn it off and take off the pump lid (don't lose the o'ring!). Empty the pump basket of any debris and replace it, then use a bucket to manually fill the pump, this is called priming. Once the water level in the pump basket is up higher than it started, replace the pump lid with the o’ring and turn your pump back on. This is usually enough to “jump-start” the pump although, if water doesn’t start flowing through after 15-20 seconds, turn the pump off.

If priming hasn’t worked the first try, to help with water flow, try disconnecting the suction cleaner, taking out the vacuum plate and cleaning the skimmer basket before trying to prime the pump again.

If you’re still having trouble, while the pump is turned off rotate the multiport valve handle to “recirculate” and try priming the pump again. If after these tips you still can’t get your pump to prime, turn the pump off, give the pool a shock dose of chlorine and contact us for assistance.

#4 Clean your filter

A dirty filter will reduce water flow as the pump can only push water through so much dirt and debris. Try backwashing and rinsing your media filter. If this still doesn't work, turn the pump off and set your filter to recirculate. If you now have normal flow, try backwashing again, if it still doesn’t work you may be due for a media change.

If you have a cartridge filter, you’ll need to clean the cartridge by removing it from the housing *ensure that the pump is off and any valves are closed if below water level. Hose the cartridge clean or replace if necessary and re-assemble, lubricate the o’rings and open any valves. Turn the pump on and bleed the air from the top until water comes out and you’re ready to go again!

D.E filters need to be backwashed and every few months they’ll need cleaning by disassembling, hosing & reassembling. Similar to the cartridge filters, ensure the pump is off and any valves are closed beforehand. Clean, re-assemble, open the valves and bleed the air to finish!

If you’re not sure how or confident to do these contact us to do it for you…Call us on 9769 3252 or book online here

# 5 Check pump impeller

*Never take your pump apart! this can void the warranty and cause further damage. Contact us to have a professional look over your equipment.

The impeller is essentially a spinning, hollow disc that draws in water at the centre and spins it out at high pressure. If your pump impeller is clogged, it will not be able to move as much water through its 'veins' (see image). This blockage is usually caused by a broken or split pump basket.

Turn the pump off, take the pump lid off and remove the pump basket. Use a small tool or your fingers to remove any debris from the impeller.

If you’re still having continued issues with your pool’s water flow, the fastest and simplest way to find a solution is to call or visit our shop staff who are always on hand to help troubleshoot, don’t forget to bring in a water sample with you, alternatively, you can call us to book a service or click below to request online.