Helpful Hints
Browse Categories
- General
- Pool Maintenance
- Equipment Maintenance
- Winterization
- Pool Chemistry
- Where can I buy Aqua EZ products?
Aqua EZ Products are available at your local Lowe’s Store or online at www.lowes.com/pool. You can check store location or product availability there.
- What if I need a part that is no longer available?
Contact us.
We will work hard to find the part you need. But do remember in most cases discontinued parts are no longer produced by the manufacture and can no longer can be acquired.
- The instructions said ‘Do not return to the store’, What should I do?
Contact Us.
Often times customer service can help you with your service needs however if it is a return of your money you seek, then yes return it to the store within the required warranty. You can reach Aqua EZ support at (877) 852-4264
- How long do pool liners generally last?
Above ground pool liners will last 6-10 years in most cases.
The factors that dictate their longevity are essentially the same as those of an in-ground liner. Although many pool builders argue that a properly installed liner will guarantee longevity, other factors such as water chemistry, chemicals used, and luck will also be a significant factor.
- Should I drain the pool to fix a leak in the liner?
No.
Draining the pool may cause the pool liner to wrinkle or slip and this often needs professional repair. Using an underwater pool patch kit makes it unnecessary to have a dry surface to complete the repair. If the hole or tear is larger than 6 inches, you may need a new liner. Contact a professional to inspect the damage and determine if it is repairable.
- How long should a motor last?
There are a few variables that affect the answer to this question. In a perfect world with a properly sized and maintained pump and filter system, a pump motor should run for years without a problem. However pumps are often oversized which means that strain on the motor is common. As an oversized pump tries to force water through an undersized filter, there is resistance that will eventually burn the motor out. Other factors that shorten the life of a motor will be poor or no maintenance, corrosive weather conditions, or improper installation. We have had some customers who have burnt out a motor in less than a year and others who call because they finally need a replacement motor after more than a decade of pump use. Much will depend on the proper sizing and care of your pump and filter. The typical manufacturer’s warranty on replacement pool pump motors is one year.
- Is there any need to protect my pump from rain and snow?
Depends on the weather.
If you experience a lot of heavy rain where you live, you may want to consider a motor cover. If you use a cover, make sure there is plenty of ventilation around the motor to prevent overheating. In the winter we suggest that you bring the pump inside or cover it to prevent snow or ice from getting on the motor windings.
- How long to run pool pump every day?
10-12 Hours.
The idea is to run all the water in your pool through the filter system at least once a day. An average filter system on your pool, if it was built correctly, should turn over the water around 2-3 times a day. With this assumption, you can safely run your filter for about 12 hours a day. That should (again, depending on your system) run all the water in your pool through the filter system at least once. Run the filter for 10-12 hours a day. Of course, the more the better.
- When is the best time to run my pump so it cost less?
In the evenings
Usually, the best times to run your filter system, that will save you money, is between 9:00pm and 9:00am — this is when less people are consuming energy, which drives down the rates.
- I think I have an air leak in my pump, What can I do?
The most common problems you will find when there is an air leak is a bad thread sealant where the pipe enters the pump, a leaky valve stem or even a break in the plumbing. You can also find leaks around the pump lid o-ring as well. If you want an easy test to find the leak, try using shaving cream. Spread the shaving cream in the areas that are most likely the cause of the leak. If you see the foam start to dimple, you have just found your leak. Replace the defective parts and your problem will be solved.
- How do I clean my sand filter?
Backwashing a sand filter is a relatively easy process that is done by simply reversing the flow of water back through the filter in the opposite direction sending the dirty water to waste. For step by step instructions,click “here”.
- How to winterize your pool.
How To Winterize
Pool winterization is part of your yearly maintenance in most climates. We have put together a general instruction book on this process. Download Here.
- Why use clarifier?
Clarifiers are used to clear cloudy water.
Products called clarifiers gather particles into larger groups and help the filter to remove them. Smaller particles can be removed leaving clear , sparkling water. Flocculent will also clear cloudy water by settling debris to the bottom of the pool. This dirt and debris can then be vacuumed to waste, or bypassing the filter.
- What is sanitizer?
Sanitizer?
Recommended level 1-3 ppm. Sanitizers kill or prevent algae growth and bacteria. Chlorine and Bromine are both sanitizers. Five common forms of sanitizer are packed as a granular powder, liquid chlorine, compressed stick, compressed 1” or 3” tablet. Bromine tablets are normally packaged as 1” tablets.
- Why shock my pool?
A shock treatment removes chlormines from the water. Chloramines are the remains or by-product after chlorine has killed germs or bacteria. They omit odors and cause skin and eye irritation. A non-clorine shock or high levels of chlorine shock will remove chloramines from the water. Pool water should be shocked weekly or more often if necessary. Shock when no chlorine is present or when combined chlorine is higher than free available chlorine. Use a test kit to determine proper levels of chlorine.
- How do I Calculate the gallons (kiloliters) of water held in my pool?
Here is the pool volume formula:
(Length x Width x Average Depth x Multiplier = Volume in US Gallons) Determine the Multiplier: 7.5 for Rectangle, Square, or Free-Form pools 5.9 for Round or Oval pools Determine the Average Depth: To determine the average depth in a pool where the bottom slopes, measure the shallow end, the deep end depth. Add them together and divide by two (2). Example: Shallow End = 2ft. Deep End = 10ft ( 2ft + 10ft = 12ft; 12/2 = 6ft average depth )
Standard In-Ground Pool Volumes in Gallons by Size Pool Size (in feet) 3.5 ft Avg Depth 4 ft Avg Depth 4.5 ft Avg Depth 5 ft Avg Depth 12×24 7,600 8,600 9,700 10,800 14×28 10,300 11,800 13,200 14,700 15×30 11,800 13,500 15,200 16,900 16×32 13,400 15,400 17,300 19,200 18×36 17,000 19,400 21,900 24,300 19×38 19,000 21,700 24,400 27,100 20×40 21,000 24,000 27,000 30,000 22×44 25,400 29,000 32,700 36,300 25×45 29,531 33,750 37,968 42,187 25×50 32,800 37,500 42,200 46,900 30×50 39,375 45,000 50,525 56,250 Above Ground Swimming Pool Water Volumes by Size Size 48in Wall 52in Wall 12ft Round 2,975 gals 3,398 gals 15ft Round 4,646 gals 5,310 gals 18ft Round 7,646 gals 8,602 gals 21ft Round 9,106 gals 10,408 gals 24ft Round 11,895 gals 13,594 gals 27ft Round 15,054 gals 17,205 gals 30ft Round 18,585 gals 21,240 gals 33ft Round 22,488 gals 25,700 gals 12x24ft Oval 5,948 gals 6,797 gals 15x30ft Oval 9,293 gals 10,620 gals 16x32ft Oval 10,573 gals 12,084 gals 18x33ft Oval 12,267 gals 14,019 gals - What is pH?
pH?
pH is a measure of how acidic/basic water is. The range goes from 0 – 14, with 7 being neutral. pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base. pH is really a measure of the relative amount of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in the water. Water that has more free hydrogen ions is acidic, whereas water that has more free hydroxyl ions is basic. Since pH can be affected by chemicals in the water, pH is an important indicator of water that is changing chemically. pH is reported in “logarithmic units”. Each number represents a 10-fold change in the acidity/basicness of the water. Water with a pH of five is ten times more acidic than water having a pH of six.
- Where should the pH level be?
A pH level between 7.2 – 7.8 is recommended
- What is Total Alkalinity?
Alkalinity?
A weekly check of your total alkalinity levels is a good way to keep your pH level consistent. If your TA is too high, it makes pH adjustment difficult, and if TA is too low, pH is hard to control. Add an acid to lower TA and add sodium bicarb to increase TA to a range of 80-120 ppm.
- Why use algaecide?
Algaecides are used to prevent or kill algae.
The three basic types of algae are green, black, and mustard / yellow algae, which are commonly introduced by wind, rain, bathing suits worn in lakes or streams. Algaecides used in a maintainance program will prevent algae growth if chlorine levels drop.
Our staff has over 125 years of combined industry experience to serve you! Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments that you may have.