FAQ

Why is my pool green?

• Lack of chlorine and/or lack of circulation.
• The correct amount of chlorine stabilizer (cyanuric acid) must be used. The filtration must be running for at least 6 hours per day during winter, and 8 hours per day in summer.
• Blackspot often grows in areas of poor circulation such as corners, steps and beach entrances
• Causes of low chlorine
  • Chlorine Pools - must have the correct amount of chlorine added each evening
  • Saltwater pools - Insufficient salt will cause low chlorine
  • If the chlorinator cell needs cleaning, chlorine will be low
  • Insufficient running hours will cause low chlorine
  • Breakdown of chlorinator - no chlorine
  • Blackspot algae will burn up chlorine very quickly
• SOLUTION - a SHOCK DOSE OF LIQUID CHLORINE and fix the cause!

Why is my pool cloudy?

• A cloudy pool is the first sign of a pool turning green, so any of the above reasons could apply.
  • Minute particles of dust
  • Calcium from granular pool chlorine
• SOLUTION - talk to us at Rosco’s Pool Service for instructions.

I think my pool is leaking, what could it be?

• Natural evaporation is between 2-5 cm per week, depending on how hot and windy it is. If the loss is greater than this you need to call us at Rosco’s Pool Service.

What causes 'Blackspot' Algae, how do I get rid of it?

• If algae is not treated and becomes established over weeks or months a root system establishes itself into the pool surface. Like any plant when the conditions are ideal (warm water and low chlorine) it grows and becomes visible. It can be seen either as small black spots or creeping between the tiles or pebble.
• SOLUTION - In its early stages there is a chemical to clear it up, but in later stages the pool must be emptied, guernied and chemically treated to successfully remove the blackspot.

Why can't I get rid of Blackspot for good? Why does it keep coming back?

• If you have persistent blackspot algae, where it either comes back straight away, or never really clears, your pool water is probably high in Phosphates, or your pool needs more regular attention.
• SOLUTION - There is a non-toxic chemical designed to eliminate phosphates and we can take a water sample to test for high phosphate levels.

When and how often should I check my pool water?

• The most important time to balance your pool water is as soon as possible after heavy rain. Chlorine pools should be checked daily. Saltwater pools should be balanced fortnightly during summer, monthly during winter.

How should I look after my pool during heavy rain?

• Run everything as normal, and re-balance the pool as soon as possible after the rain stops.
• It is a fallacy that if you turn everything off, the fresh water will float on top, therefore only the rain water will be drained off, the theory being that salt water is heavier than fresh water. We strongly recommend that you don't try this.
• If you must, turn off the chlorinator and use only liquid chlorine. If you run the chlorinator for long periods on low salt levels you will damage the cell, shortening it's life span, and at several hundreds of dollars to replace, is not a good idea.
• This practice will not save you much money, and will cause many problems. You still have to add the salt at some stage, and meanwhile add expensive chlorine on a daily basis.

How do I drain water from the pool?

• If you have a filter with a backwash valve it is simple. Turn the valve handle to "waste" until the required level is reached. Do not move the handle while the filtration is running, turn the power off before moving the handle, and back on after, or you will damage the backwash valve gasket causing it to leak.
• Do not waste water on "backwash" as this will cause damage to your filter.
• If you have a cartridge filter then water can be siphoned out with your garden or vacuum hose.

When I need to add Chlorine to my pool what type should I use?

• In saltwater pools use only liquid chlorine to 'super chlorinate.' Granular Pool chlorine leaves a residual of calcium behind which is the white substance that regularly needs to be cleaned off the chlorinator cell electrodes. Large doses of calcium chlorine will cause cloudiness.

When water evaporates from my saltwater pool, do I loose salt?

• No. Natural evaporation is between 2-5cm per week depending on wind and heat. Salt and Stabiliser do not evaporate.

How do I keep chlorine in my pool?

• Having trouble maintaining chlorine levels in your pool although you put plenty in? The most probable reason is a lack of chlorine stabiliser(cyanuric acid). In very rare instances it could be chloramines and is one of the tests routinely carried out on our visits.

Help! There are bugs in my pool?

• About every three or four years after heavy rain we get a plague of bugs, which lasts for around 3-4 weeks. It is not caused by poor chemical balance.
• SOLUTION - There is a Lo-Chlor product available called "No more Bugs".

What is wrong with my pool, the Kids have earache?

• Probably nothing is wrong with the pool! It is almost certainly Tropic Ear, a fungus growth caused by dampness in the ear. A Doctor can fix it very quickly, better still, teach your children to dry inside their ears as soon as they get out of the pool.

What is wrong with the pool, my Kids have sore eyes?

• It could be that the 'PH' level is either too high or too low, only occasionally if the chlorine level is high. More often than not it is simply that the children have been swimming underwater for long periods with their eyes open. Swimming pool water is not a natural substance for the eye to be exposed to.

How can I prolong the life of my expensive chlorinator cell?

• Three things shorten the life of your chlorinator cell -
  • Running the filtration for long periods on low levels of salt
  • Cleaning the cell in too strong a solution of cell wash
  • Not cleaning the cell often enough, leading to a build up of calcium

How long should I run my filter and chlorinator?

• Chlorine pools - 6 hours per day to filter the water clean
• Saltwater pools - 8 hours per day in summer - half early morning, half late afternoon
• 6 hours per day in winter - half early morning, half late afternoon. This should maintain clean water and produce enough chlorine.

There is water leaking from under my pump motor, what is wrong?

• The mechanical seal needs replacing. It is important to have this simple repair done as soon as possible, or further more expensive damage will be done.

My pump and motor is noisy, it is making a whining or screaming noises.

• The bearings and mechanical seal need replacing, if left the pump will soon stop working altogether.

My filtration is working but no water is coming out.

• The impellor most likely needs replacing along with associated bearings and mechanical seal.

My pool is making a gurgling sound, what is wrong?

• The water level is too low, it should be at least half way up the skimmer box opening, with about 2 cm (1") gap at the top. Don't forget to bleed the air out of the filter!

My pool is not skimming the leaves, what is wrong?

• Either the water level is too high, drop the water level to 2 cm below skimmer opening, or the weir door is missing.

How do I work out how much water is in my pool?

• Multiply the longest point (in meters), by the widest point, by the average depth, this will give you the approximate volume in liters.

What things should I consider when looking for a new filter?

• Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filters offer the highest quality of water filtration. DE filters clean down to 3 microns, and give the best water clarity of all types of filters. DE filters have a backwash valve for ease of cleaning.
• Sand filters work by filtering the water through sand, they cope best with high amounts of suntan cream and are therefore the most suitable for Resort pools. Sand filters clean down to 25 microns, and have a backwash valve for ease of cleaning.
• Cartridge filters ideal for above ground pools, or where water is scarce. Cartridge filters do not have a backwash facility and are middle of the road for cleaning power, cleaning down to 15 microns.

What things should I consider when deciding on a pool builder?

• Rosco’s Pool Service is happy to help you evaluate any quotes, we can point out the differences between them and make sure you are comparing the same thing. When using a member of SPASA to build your pool, you have the security of SPASA's "Watertight" insurance.

What are the advantages of salt-water chlorination?

• Salt-water chlorination makes your pool much easier to maintain, needing much less attention than a chlorine pool. Because the chlorinator is adding chlorine to your pool automatically, twice every day, there is much less chance of anything going wrong, avoiding costly clean up measures. Salt-water chlorination is less than half the cost of a chlorine pool to run. Saves time, saves money, eliminates problems!

What is the difference in running costs between a salt water and chlorine pool?

• Salt-water pools cost less than half that of a chlorine pool. Most of the chemical costs associated with a salt-water pool occur during the wet season when the pool fills with rainwater and overflows. During the dry season there is very little expenditure on chemicals. The costs depend upon the size of the pool, the severity of the wet season, and the situation of the pool.