- 17 May, 2002 -

A happy swimming pool is a balanced pool chemically balanced, that is. Photos by Rick Guy / The Clarion-Ledger Marvin Mosley with Sunshine Pools and Spas in Pearl skims debris from the surface of a pool at a home in Rankin County. Taking the plunge While pool owners are getting ready for the hot summer, others may be considering having a pool installed. There are two basic choices, in-ground and above-ground, with lots of options in each category. An above-ground pool takes about two days to install and ranges from $1,800 to as much as $4,000. In-ground pools take about two weeks to construct and start at around $15,000 and go up from there. Ask friends for referrals or check with a local pool supplier for details. Is your pool leaking? Try a bucket test to determine if water loss in your pool is due to evaporation or a leak: 1. Bring pool water to normal level. 2. Fill bucket with pool water to about 1 inch from the top. 3. Place bucket on first or second step of the pool. 4. Mark water level on inside of bucket. 5. Shut off pump and mark pool level on outside of bucket. 6. Resume normal pump operation. 7. After 24 hours, compare the two levels. If the pool water (outside mark) goes down more than the inside water level, there is probably a leak. Warning signs of hidden leaks in pools and spas A loss of 1/8-inch of water or more in 24 hours might indicate evaporation, but a professional should investigate consistent losses of this magnitude Algae formation too soon after a chemical treatment. An automatic filler that is constantly releasing water. Cracks and gaps in the pool shell or concrete deck, or a settling of the whole pool or spa structure into the ground. Loose or falling tiles. Sure signs of a leak Are air bubbles coming into the pool when the pump is running? This indicates a leak somewhere on the suction side of the system. Does the water level stop going down after it reaches a certain point? This may provide clues to where the leak is if it stops just below the skimmer or at the return lines although the leak could also be further down. Are there cracks in the deck? This could indicate that earth has washed away in the area of the concealed piping, due to a pipe leak. Are tiles missing or coming loose around the water level's edge? This could be indicative of a leak at the bond beam. When to call in the experts Professional leak detectors, such as American Leak Detection, are equipped with a proprietary system employing a combination of radio and sound technology enabling them to locate even the smallest leak to within a few inches. Whether the leak is in the structure, in the vinyl liner, or in the concealed piping of a spa or pool, you can count on a trained expert to locate it quickly and efficiently. That is the key this time of year for pool owners as they prepare to take the plunge. The amount of work it will take you to get your pool ready for swimming is directly related to the amount of work you put into it this winter, local experts say. Terry Munroe, owner of Millennium Pools and Spas in Clinton, said pool owners should consider keeping their pools uncovered during the winter. "We have them for aesthetic reasons, so it's nice to be able to look at them even during the winter," he said. Minimal cleaning is required in the winter if the pool is uncovered, but that makes for less work in the spring. If you do cover your pool in the winter, the cover needs to be off by early spring, preferably March or April. The warmer the weather gets, the more algae will grow underneath and that equals more cleaning. "The longer you wait, the more maintenance you will have to do," he said. Even with a cover, the pool is sure to have collected some debris over the winter such as leaves and pine straw. Use a skimmer net to get all that out then follow up by brushing the walls and floor of the pool to get all the algae stirred up. Use a pool vacuum to remove the algae. It's not a good idea to run the pump until the algae is cleaned out, he said, because that can get spores trapped in the filter, which will promote the growth of more algae. A water sample is necessary to determine what kind of chemical treatments you need. Samples can be done using kits you buy at local home stores or you can take one to your local pool supply store and have them do it for you. Kim Mosley, co-owner of Sunshine Pools and Spas in Brandon, recommends a product called Pristine Blue. She said this nonchlorine product gives the water a soft feel and doesn't bleach swimsuits or give you green hair. "It's just so easy to use. You add it in there and that's about it," Mosley said. Kathy McDill of Pearl has had her pool about a year. She said they opted to keep it open over the winter and found it to be very low maintenance. "Everybody told me it was so much work, but it's been so easy. That Pristine Blue is easy to use. We've been very pleased with it," she said. Along with chemical levels you also want to check other parts of the pool. If you are losing a lot of water, check the liner and be sure there are no tears. It could be time to replace it. Also, if you are having trouble achieving a good balance in the water, check the gaskets on your filters, Mosley said. "If the water is green and you just can't get it to clear up, check the gaskets on the filters. If they have gone bad the water doesn't go through the filter, it will just run over the top of it and back into the pool," she said.

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