It's Closing Time...

Well summer is almost over and it is back to school time, for kids this stinks but for us parents it's a time to rejoice...

For my readers in New Orleans area my heart goes out to you and my hopes are that you can withstand mother natures vengeance and keep up your spirits.

The weather pattern effecting the south will soon travel north east and hit this region and bring with it lots of rain etc. Now is the time most people start to think about closing their pools both above ground and in ground. Remember that if you close your pool now be sure that you have a good cover pump to remove all the excess water that will build up.

For my spa readers now will be a great time to do the quarterly drain and refill of your spa, be sure to have all the chemicals you need to start up the spa again once full such as Bromine/Chlorine, PH up and Down, Alkalinity increaser, and a metal remover. I also advise replacing the spa filter if it is more than a year old, you should be hosing off your filter at the very least to ensure that the spa runs good and the heater operates normally. Check the spa cover and be sure that it is in good shape, if your spa cover is getting heavy then you should replace it BEFORE the winter months hit as heavy snow loads will certainly damage the cover and leave you in a desperate search for a replacement in the freezing months.

Bottom line, take the time now to inspect your spa and close that pool so you can begin the fall with a clear head to help your kids get all they can from the coming school year. LOL

Until Next Time...

3 Steps to Cleaner Spa Water

3 Steps to Cleaner Spa Water

You bought a spa because it’s one of the best ways to relax after a long day. You don’t want to have to spend a ton of time with maintenance, but you know you need to put in some work to keep the water clean.  If you follow a few basic guidelines, you can easily keep your spa water clear and sparkling. All you need to do is work smarter, not harder.

1. Keep the water clean

Every spa requires some form of sanitization to kill off bacteria and keep the water clean. Most spas will use either chlorine or bromine as a disinfectant. Chlorine is very popular and is widely used, but has a stronger odor than bromine.

You can use a floating dispenser to slowly add both chlorine and bromine to the water. When testing the water quality you will need about 1.5 to 3 ppm of chlorine, or 3 to 5 ppm of bromine to effectively treat the water.

You should also perform a non-chlorine shock treatment periodically to maintain the best water clarity. If you are using your spa frequently, you should use an oxidizing shock treatment about once per week.

2.  Maintain chemical balance

Keeping a good chemical balance in your spa is critical if you want to prevent damage to your equipment. You should test the water regularly to ensure that your pH, total alkalinity, and hardness levels are at acceptable levels for your spa. This information is usually available in your owner’s manual as well.

Here are some commonly accepted values for spa water that is kept between 102 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

· pH – the pH level in your spa should be kept around 7.4 to 7.6

· total alkalinity – between 80 to 120 ppm

· total hardness – acrylic finish spas (100 – 250 ppm) plaster finish spas (250-450 ppm)

You don’t have to be a water chemistry expert to keep these values within an acceptable range. If your pH is too low, or your total hardness is too high, don’t panic. There are lots of easy to use products that you can use to balance your water.

3. Keep the filter clean

Hopefully you already know about the water filter that helps keep your spa water clean. This filter cartridge should be cleaned or replaced on a regular basis.  The standard pleated cartridges can be cleaned and reused and will usually last for up to 2 years before they need to be replaced.   When you’re using your spa frequently, you should soak the filter in a cleaning solution overnight and rinse it thoroughly about once every two weeks.   If you keep a backup filter on hand you can install it so you can still use your spa while you’re soaking the other filter. If you’re not sure what kind of filter your spa uses, consult your owner’s manual. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper care and cleaning of the filter.

You got that spa because you wanted to relax. Now that you’ve tested and balanced your water quality, it’s time to get in and reap the benefits of your work. Your water is sparkling and there’s no doubt that your spa is the envy of your neighborhood.

Guest Author: Andrew Clement has been writing about water quality since 2009. He is a blogger for WaterFilters.NET and his interests include swimming, kayaking, and relaxing in hot tubs.