Equipment Care
A Typical Swimming Pool System
An illustration of the filtration and other equipment that is typically installed on a swimming pool in South-Africa.
Our AquaKing and Eartheco range of pool pumps, sand filters, swimming pool heat pumps or solar panels and salt-water chlorinators, with a proven track-record of reliability and performance, offer the perfect solution to install on newly built or renovated swimming pools.
The equipment installed on a swimming pool is essential for maintaining healthy pool water and overall bather comfort. Keeping your swimming pool equipment in excellent condition, by doing regular checks and routine servicing, forms a very important part of general pool care.
Your equipment is the heart of your swimming pool and form a large part of the monetary investment into your swimming pool, so it makes sense to take care of these components.
It is important and advised to always follow the manufacturers instructions for maintenance or servicing of products.
Filtration - Pump & Filter Care
The general rule of thumb, is that the total water volume in a pool, should be circulated through the filtration system – pump and filter, at least twice per day.
This allows for proper cleaning through the pool filter and maximum efficacy of the pool chemicals used to sanitize the swimming pool.
Pool Pump TLC
It is important to clean the leaf trap or basket of your pool pump regularly to allow proper water flow through the pump and avoid straining on the motor.
Proper ventilation around the pump, especially the fan, which sits at the back of the pump, is also important to prevent overheating and possible damage to the pump.
Filter TLC
There are mainly two types of filters that get installed on swimming pools in South-Africa. Sand filters and Cartridge filters.
Further to this, there are currently two types of media that are used in sand filters – the standard silica sand for pool filters and recent addition of glass media.
All types of filters require weekly cleaning.
With sand filters, this is in the form of a backwash and rinse to remove the dirt trapped inside the filter, which is then washed out through the waste line of the system. This process may require the pool to be topped up with fresh water.
It is generally recommended that sand media is completely replaced at least every 24 months and glass media every 36 months on residential pools. This depends on various factors, such as annual bather load and whether pets also use the swimming pool.
Cartridge filters are cleaned by rinsing off the filter media with a garden hose – moderate water pressure will do. Once cleaned, leave the cartridge to dry completely, before inserting back into the filter casing.
Bather Comfort - Equipment Care
Chlorine Generator TLC
The cell or electrode of a chlorine generator (also known as a salt water chlorinator or SWC) requires periodic cleaning of the calcium build up that happen on the electrode plates. This can be done with a specific Salt Cell Cleaner or with a mixture of 1 part pool acid (30% strength) and 10 parts water.
There is also the misconception, that the cells or electrodes of Self Cleaning chlorine generators do not require periodic cleaning. This is not the case, as these models may only require less regular cleaning of the electrode plates vs those of the standard models where cleaning may be required weekly or even more frequently.
Heating TLC
There are mainly two types of pool heating systems that get installed on swimming pools in South-Africa. Solar Heating Panels and Heat Pumps.
Heat pumps generally require little maintenance if they are installed correctly. It is however advised to clean the evaporator coils at least twice a year. This can be done by hosing off any debris and dust with a garden hose with moderate water pressure.
An annual service and system check by a swimming pool or pool heating professional is also recommended.
On solar heating panels, it is advised to bypass these during the winter months, especially in the regions that experience below freezing temperatures, to safeguard from the expansion of frozen water and the potential water loss or damage to other equipment due to leaks and cracks.
