General Pool Maintenance

It is important to ensure that your pool is operating to its maximum potential to enable the chemicals to work effectively.

The following operating instructions provide a basic guide to pool maintenance. 

Maintain the water level

Once your pool is full, the water level must remain mid-way across the skimmer mouth.  Never allow the water to drop below this level when the pump is running.  If you have an in-ground liner pool never let the water level reach the top of the liner.

Run the filter correctly

When your pool is operating make sure the filter is running for at least eight hours per day.  This can be split into two periods.  Lengthen the running time when the pool is in heavy use or when heating for the first time.

Backwash the filter

Frequency: At regular intervals to ensure the filter operates efficiently (check filter pressure gauge).

• Run a flexible pipe from the multi-port valve to drain or soak away if necessary
• Switch off the pump and open the backwash valve if fitted
• Turn the multi-port valve handle to the BACKWASH* position, switch on pump and wait until the sight glass clears (this takes approx one to two minutes) then switch off pump
• Turn the multi-port valve handle to RINSE, switch on pump for 20 to 30 seconds then switch off
• Turn the multi-port valve handle to FILTER and switch on pump
• Roll up the flexible pipe, close the backwash valve if fitted and top up with fresh water
• Continute filtering until pressure reaches 5lbs above normal or every two weeks then repeat backwash procedure

* Ensure your automatic pool cleaner remains disconnected until the backwash and rinse procedures have been completed.

Clean the pump basket

Frequency: Ideally, weekly to improve the efficiency of the pump.

• Switch off the pump and close all suction valves
• Turn the multi-port valve handle to the CLOSED position, open the pump lid and remove and clean the basket
• Replace basket and tighten lid ensure 'O' ring is correctly located
• Turn multi-port valve handle to FILTER, switch on pump and after three seconds open main drain valve only
• Once pump has gained its prime, slowly open skimmer valve

Vacuum pool through the skimmer

Frequency: Weekly to prevent the build up of leaves and dirt.

• Leave the pump running in the FILTER cycle.
• Close main drain vavle only (if two skimmers are fitted close one off by plugging the hole beneath the basket)
• Attach telescopic vacuum handle and vacuum hose to vacuum head
• Drop vacuum head in pool and hold other end of hose over pool inlet to expel air
• Attach vacuum plate to end of hose if applicable
• Remove floating collar weir from inside the skimmer basket if fitted and position vacuum plate on top of basket
• Vacuum pool until clean

Prime the Pump

Frequency: When starting the pump

• Close all suction valves
• Turn multi-port vavle handle to FILTER position
• Open the pump lid and fill the pump with water from a bucket or hose pipe
• Replace lid ensuring 'O' ring is correctly located.  Switch on pump and after three seconds open main drain valve only
• Once pump has gained its prime, slowly open skimmer valve