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Maintenance Tutorials

We know how overwhelming it can be to start maintaining your pool. That’s why we’ve setup this resource with tons of great tips, tutorials & videos, and manuals. If you don’t see what you need, please contact us and let us know what you need.

Pool maintenance tutorials & videos

This is a list of common tutorials to help people maintain their swimming pools. Choose from one of the tutorials to see the step-by-step directions.

 

    • Test at least two times a week. More testing might be necessary due to weather changes and bather loads.
    • Shock every 7-10 days (preferably at night). Additional shock may be needed after big parties in the pool or after rain.
    • Never swim right after you shock. Wait at least 30 minutes or as specified on the products' packaging.
    • Keep the chemicals within these ranges:

      Chlorine Level:pH Level:*Alkalinity Level:*
      1-5ppm7.2-7.880-150ppm
      Ideal: 3-5ppmIdeal: 7.5Ideal: 100-120ppm

      * Low pH and Alkalinity can cause the heat exchanger to go out in the heater in less than 30 days!

 

  • Notes:
    • NEVER mix more than one chemical at one time
    • NEVER put on the solar blanket AFTER you shock
    • NEVER swim right after you shock. WAIT at least 30 minutes or as specified on the products' packaging.
    • NEVER add water to chemicals. ALWAYS add chemicals to water.
  1. Attach the vacuum head to the swivel end of the vacuum hose.
  2. Attach the vacuum plate to the opposite end of the vacuum hose.
  3. Attach the telepoleto the vacuum head and extend the pole. Holding on to the pole, let the vacuum head sink to the bottom of the pool.
  4. Pre-fill (prime) the vachose by putting the other end of the hose (with the vacplate) over the return jet to force water into the hose. The hose will be full of water when the vachead rises to the top of the water and falls back to the pool bottom.
  5. Attach the end of the hose with the vacuum plate into the skimmer.
  6. Close the main drain valve. If you have two operating skimmers, you can half way close the one that you are not using to vacuum. This will create better suction.
  7. Slowly vacuum the pool as to not stir up the debris on the bottom and cause the water to get cloudy.
  8. Check the pressure on the filter when vacuuming is done to see if a backwash is needed.
  9. Clean the pump basket after every vacuum, see cleaning the pump basket.
  10. Return valves to normal operating position and ensure the multi-port valve is in “filter” mode.
  1. Turn off the heater.
  2. Turn off power to the pool cleaner pump.
  3. Turn off power to the main pool pump.
  4. Close all skimmer and main drain valves.
  5. Move multiport handle to “close” position.
  6. Remove pump lid. Clean pump basket and replace.
  7. Open main drain valve.
  8. Move multiport handle to “filter” position.
  9. Turn on power to pool pump.
  10. Open skimmer valves one at a time.
  11. Lastly, you can turn back on pool cleaner pump, heater, etc.
  1. Turn off the power to the pool cleaner and the heater.
  2. Shut off power to the pool pump and move the multiport handle to the “close” position.
  3. Take the lid off the pump.
  4. Insert a garden hose into the pump and then into the supply pipe opening.
  5. Turn on the water and fill the main drain (which is left open) until the line is full and the water spills back into the pump basket.
  6. Close the main drain valve.
  7. Repeat the previous two steps for all skimmer valves.
  8. Ensure the lid O-ring is in place and screw on the pump lid securely.
  9. Turn the multiport handle to the “filter” position, open the main drain valve and immediately turn on the power to the pool pump.
  10. Give the system a few minutes to prime. Once there is no air cavitation in the pump, slowly start opening one of the skimmer valves. You might have to open, then close a little, open further, then close a little again, until it is fully open. This will help tweak the air out of the line.
  11. Follow the same procedure as the previous step on the other skimmer valves.
  12. System will be fully primed when the filter pressure returns to normal operating pressure.
Before Starting:
  • Record your normal operating pressure and consider your backwash pressure to be about 6-8 PSI above that.
  • *It is important to make sure that the pump basket is clean. (If the pump basket does not need cleaning, skip steps 4-7.)
  1. Turn the heater off.
  2. Turn off power to the pool cleaner pump.
  3. Turn off power to the main pool pump.
  4. *Close all skimmer and main drain valves.
  5. *Move multiport handle to “close” position.
  6. *Clean pump basket and replace.
  7. *Open main drain valve.
  8. Move multiport handle to “backwash” position.
  9. Turn ON pool pump.
  10. Backwash for approximately 3-5 minutes until the sight glass is clear.
  11. Move multiport handle to “rinse” position.
  12. Turn ON pool pump.
  13. RINSE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS.
  14. Move multiport handle to “filter” position.
  15. Turn ON pool pump.
  16. Open skimmer valves one at a time.
 
Notes:
  • NEVER move multiport handle when the pool pump is ON. The multiport handle can only be moved when the pool pump is in the off position.
  • NEVER close ALL valves (skimmers and main drains) while system is running. One valve must remain open.
  • NEVER swim right after you shock. WAIT at least 30 minutes or as instructed on the packaging.
  • NEVER turn on the pool cleaner pump when the pool pump is in the OFF position.
  1. Insert hose end into the wall fitting by pushing in and turning clockwise until it locks into place.
  2. Turn on pool cleaner pump.
  3. Keep screen (located in hose end) clean.
  4. Empty cleaner bag (located on top of unit) by twisting counter clockwise.
Notes:
  • NEVER run your pool cleaner booster pump when your pool pump is shut down.
  • TAKE your pool cleaner out of the pool when shocking.
  • KEEP in mind that you should remove your pool cleaner from the pool when it is not in use. This will extend the life of the cleaner and its wearable parts.
  • BRING your pool cleaner in for annual maintenance and upkeep after the swimming season is over.

Have Questions or Need to Schedule Service?

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