My Pool Made Easy: The Ultimate Course to Swimming Pool Maintenance

All Lessons are  in video format and you can start and stop at your own pace. I will be personally available by email if you get stuck or have further questions when going through the program. Here is an overview of the course so that you know what you are getting before you buy.

 

Introduction

My goal is to make owning and maintaining your pool as easy as possible and to save you time and money. Each lesson will explain a different part of pool maintenance and when you are done with the course, you will have a great understanding of pool maintenance as a whole.

Layout of this Course

I have broken this course into easily digestible lessons in an order that I feel is best for easy learning. I know your time is valuable and the lessons are as short as possible as long as I feel I have fully explained the topic. My main goal is for you to learn and feel comfortable taking care of your pool on your own.

 

Understanding your Goals

• Try to keep your yard and pool as clean as possible.
• Set a specific day of the week aside for your pool maintenance and download and use the log I provide to keep track of everything. You will need about 20 minutes each week.
• Even though the water should be clear, always look for the start of algae. It is a lot easier to remove algae when it just started. Better yet, I will teach you how to prevent it.

 

Types of Swimming Pools and their Differences

• In Ground Gunite Pool with Plaster
• In Ground Gunite Pool with Sprayed Fiberglass
• In Ground Gunite Pool with Quartz Crystal
• In Ground Gunite Pool with Exposed Aggregate (Small Rocks)
• In Ground Fiberglass Shell or Drop In Fiberglass
• In Ground Vinyl Liner
• In Ground All Tile

 

Different Climates and How to Apply this Course

• Warm/Hot Summers and Mild Winters
• Warm/Hot Summers and Freezing Winters

 

Determine your Pools Gallonage

Length X Width X Average Depth = Approximate Gallonage

 

The “Weekly Tasks” (All Seasons - Most Pools)

 All pool types have certain things in common that are needed for their maintenance, and these things should be preformed on a weekly basis.

 

“Spring” Overview

• Pools that were not winterized for freezing conditions
• Pools that were winterized
• Starting off with clear water
• Starting off with cloudy or green water
• Cleaning the pool filter

 

“Summer” Overview

• Keeping all chemical levels balanced
• Start using Chlorine Tablets
• Look closely for the start of algae
• Add a preventative algaecide
• Shocking the pool
• Running the equipment the right amount of time

 

“Fall” Overview

• Keeping Fall leafs out of the pool
• Emptying the baskets and bags more often
• Cleaning the pool filter
• Stop using Chlorine Tablets

 

“Winter” Overview

• Do I need to Cover my Pool?
• Lowering the water level after rain
• Reducing the equipment run time if desired

 

Chemical Levels that We Test For, and Why

• Chlorine
• pH
• Alkalinity
• Calcium Hardness
• Conditioner
• Phosphates
• Total Dissolved Solids

 

Testing the Pool Water

• What type of test kit to use
• Keeping a Weekly Log
• Ideal Ranges
• Testing the Chlorine
• Testing the pH
• Testing the Alkalinity
• Testing Calcium
• Testing Cyanuric Acid (Conditioner)
• Testing Phosphate Levels
• Testing Total Dissolved Solids

 

How to Adjust Your Chemical Levels

• Chlorine
• pH
• Alkalinity
• Calcium Hardness
• Conditioner
• Phosphates
• Total Dissolved Solids

 

Deeper Look into Chlorine

• Types of Chlorine
• How Much Chlorine To Add?
• How Long Will Chlorine Last?
• Shocking The Pool
• Fun Fact about Chlorine

 

Deeper Look at pH and Alkalinity

• Relationship between the two
• The Importance of both
• How to Adjust pH
• How to Adjust Alkalinity
• Special Situations for Vinyl or Fiberglass Pools

 

How To Add Conditioner

Granular Vs. Liquid

 

How To Add Calcium Hardness

Granular Vs. Liquid

 

How To Remove Phosphates (and Should You)

• Concentrated Vs. Diluted
• As needed or Weekly prevention
• Other ways to prevent algae

 

Identifying Types of Algae

• Green
• Mustard
• Black

 

Killing Green Algae

• Identifying Green Algae
• Types of algaecides and the ways to properly add them
• Which algaecide is best for Green Algae

 

Killing Mustard Algae

• Identifying Mustard Algae
• Types of algaecides and the ways to properly add them
• Which algaecide is best for Mustard Algae

 

Killing Black Algae

• Identifying Black Algae
• Types of algaecides and the ways to properly add them
• Which algaecide is best for Black Algae

 

Alternative Algaecides

• Mineral Purification
• Ozonators

 

Types of Pool Filters

• Cartridge Filter
• D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth) Filter
• Sand Filters and Alternatives to Silica Sand

 

How to Clean and Take Care of Each Type of Pool Filter

• Cartridge Filter Cleaning
• D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth) Filter Cleaning
• Sand Filter Cleaning

 

What about a Salt Pool?

• Benefits of a Salt Pool
• How to convert your pool into a Salt Pool
• Downsides of a Salt Pool

 

Why do some want an Ozonator, and what do they do?

• Benefits of using an Ozonator
• Possible dangers of an Ozonator
• Types of Ozonators
• Maintenance of an Ozonator

 

Pool Surface Stain Prevention

• Keep a balanced pH and Alkalinity
• Only use metal based algaecides sparingly
• Keep shocking the pool to a minimum
• Always maintain chlorine levels at their ideal levels
• Consider using a sequestering agent

 

Different types of Pool Stains

• Copper Sulfate Stains
• Iron Stains
• Organic Pool Stains (Leafs and other Debris)
• Silver Pool Stains
• Manganese Pool Stains
• Cobalt Stains

 

How to Remove Pool Stains

• Copper Sulfate Stains
• Iron Stains
• Organic Pool Stains (Leafs and other Debris)
• Silver Pool Stains
• Manganese Pool Stains
• Cobalt Stains
• What is Ascorbic Acid?
• What is Oxalic Acid?
• Alternative Stail Removal Techniques

 

Plaster Problems

• Calcium Buildup
• Calcium Nodules and how to Remove them
• Blotching and Modeling Plaster and Its Cause
• Streaking or Fading Plaster
• Rust Stains on Plaster
• “Pop Offs” and Thin Plaster
• What about Chlorine Tabs in the Skimmer?
• Do people throw Tabs in the Bottom of the Pool?

 

New Pool Startup & Drain and Refill Procedures

• Sequestering Agent
• pH and Alkalinity
• Calcium Hardness
• Cyanuric Acid (Conditioner)
• Chlorine
• Re-test Everything

 

When To Re-Surface the Pool and what are my Options?

• Plaster
• Quartz Crystal
• Exposed Aggregate
• Fiberglass
• Paint

 

Should I paint my pool?

• Possible benefits
• More likely downsides

 

Empty Pool Precautions - What not to do

• Vinyl Pool?
• Did you check the water tables in your area?

 

Choosing the Right Pool Equipment

• Pool Filter
• Pool Pumps
• Single Speed Pump
• Two Speed Pump
• Variable Speed Pump
• Pool and Attached Spa Heaters
• Caretaker or Pop Up Jet Systems
• Robotic Pool Cleaners
• Suction Side Pool Cleaners
• Pressure Side Pool Cleaners
• In-Ground Pre-Filter

 

How Long Should I Run My Pool Equipment?

• Single Speed, Two Speed, or Variable Speed Pumps
• Booster Pumps

 

I Think My Pool Has A Leak! Now What?

• The Bucket Test
• Looking for the most common places to see if you can fix it yourself
• Leak Detection Companies
• A long term leak can cause Permanent Problems

 

My Pump Lost it’s Prime. It won’t move water. What do I do?

• Check for missing or damaged o-rings
• Learn to use a drain jet
• Force prime the pump

 

I have a leak at the Pool Equipment. Can I fix it myself?

• Pump seals
• Pump drain plug o-rings
• PVC leaks
• Cracked Pump Housing
• Cracked Filter Housing
• Leaking Valves

 

Should I cover my Pool Equipment with a Shade Cover?

• UV Damage
• Lower operating temperatures
• Longer Life of Pool Equipment

 

Some of the Concrete around My Pool is Lifted. What can I do?

• Removing problem trees and their roots
• Try to evaluate the tree root system to see if you can save the tree
• Adding a Root Barrier
• Pouring New Concrete (Best Option)
• Hiring a company to cut high corners/edges to prevent tripping and filling in separated coping strips with Polyethylene Caulk

 

My Concrete looks like it has Settled, Not lifted

• Certain trees pull all of the moisture out of the ground and cause the concrete to lower.
• Hiring a company to lift the concrete back to level
• Pouring new concrete

 

How do I Fix or Replace the Coping Strip above the Tile Around My Pool?

• Doing it yourself
• Hiring a professional

 

Tile Cleaning and Maintenance

• Do it yourself options
• Hiring a Professional

 

Loose or Missing Tile. Now What?

• Do it yourself options
• Hiring a Professional

 

How do I Remove Water From My Pool After Rain?

• Finding and using the drain valve
• Using a Submersible Pump

 

Ducks in My Pool! - What you should know

• Ways to keep them out
• How will they effect the pool chemistry
• Will they do permanent damage?

 

Main Drain Covers at the Bottom of the Pool. What are the differences and are they Safe?

• Anti Entrapment
• Anti Vortex
• Two round drain covers 4’ apart
• Channel Drains

 

Safety Signs, Safety Equipment, and Rules

• Requirements
• Items you should consider investing in

 

Types of Pool Lights

• GFCI Requirements
• LED Light
• Halogen Light
• Incandescent Light
• Color or White?
• Changing out a Light

 

Pool Safety Covers

• Automatic Cover
• Hook and Loop

 

Solar Covers and what to expect

• Temperature gain
• Water evaporation reduction
• Keeping the cover clean
• How to remove and store the cover
• Safety

 

Solar Panels (Water) on your house

• Temperature gain
• Turning the solar on and off for the season
• Maintenance

 

Warm Water Conditions and what you should know

• How much time will Solar or Solar covers add to my swim season?
• Increased algae potential

 

Portable Spa Maintenance

• General Overview
• Spa Ozonators
• Types of Sanitizers
• Spa Chlorine
• Spa Bromine
• Mineral Purifiers
• What the heck is a Biguanide Spa Sanitizer?
• Oxidation

 

Moderate Use Spa Maintenance

• How often to change the water
• Ideal chemical levels
• When to shock with Oxidizer

 

High Use Spa Maintenance

• How often to change the water
• Ideal chemical levels
• When to shock with Oxidizer

 

Draining and Cleaning Your Spa

• Cleaning the filter
• Cleaning the walls and other surfaces
• Cleaning out the plumbing and jets
• Filling the spa and priming the system
• Starting over with new water

 

Summary

It is my hope that after taking this course, you are comfortable maintaining your pool all by yourself. You will learn when you will need to ask for help from a professional but even better than that, you will know if that person is being honest and they will know that you know what you are doing too. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have and further questions after you finish the course! Thank you again!

John Brace