cleaning tips and tools: The best tips to clean your ashes pool

1.21.2020

The best tips to clean your ashes pool

This cloudy pool requires a lot of work before use. Photos: Alex Rea.

Anyone who has a pool knows that it can be a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.

With devastating fires in cities across the country, many pool owners will be a little desperate to see their wet ashtray-like pools. Even the pool cover may not have been enough to keep the ashes out.

Power outages can also result in delayed filtering, while some pools have become a welcome water resource for firefighters.

The Moruya pool was covered and closed for a few days during the new year.

After keeping the pool clean in winter, many are out of reach in these hot months until they are cleaned. It takes time and patience to get rid of the fine ashes and get back to their best level. crystal level

This means that people like Bay Pool Services' Paul the Pool Bloke in Batemans Bay will be very busy.

"Almost every group in the region has been affected by blackouts, some for two weeks," says Paul. "The chlorine content is very low and in combination with ash and burnt organic matter and some algae spores that wash out the rain in the pool, the perfect conditions were created for the dreaded" Green Pool "event."

Ash mud in the bush fire pool.

If the power goes out, Paul says "the only answer is to add chlorine to the pool water."

"When the power is restored, set your chlorine generator to 90% for as many hours as possible. If your water level is low, be sure to turn off the pump, as it can run dry when the power is restored, which will damage your pump.

"If you catch the green monster early on, you will prevent your pool from becoming a swamp of mosquitoes that will drive you and your neighbors crazy." If you or a neighbor had to leave a property with a pool, use a chlorine drain or notify the city council. "

Paul has more advice when it comes to chlorine, especially when trying to cut corners with cheaper chemicals.

"Please note that at least double the recommended amount of cheap chemicals needs to be added because our computer water analyzers are calibrated for use with our high quality chemicals."

Another tip is to use an old stocking in your pool's skimmer box to catch the finest particles. You can also extend it in the basin spoon.

The Bay Pool Services are located in the Galore Batemans Bay grills and offer "cheats" that advise you on cleaning your ash-filled pool, depending on the filter type.

"We hope that he can restore part of the pool before winter," says Paul.

consultation

Waste extraction is available for all media filters, but this is only an option for cartridge filters if a special drain line is connected (ie you can remove water from the basin with a three-way valve). ,

First, make sure that the water level in your pool is filled to the absolute maximum. (You may even need to recharge the water level in your pool while priming. If so, add water at the top of the pool so the flakes / sediment at the bottom of the pool don't bother you.)

Liquid flake

Test the pool water and adjust the pH to 7.6 or more and the alkalinity to 80 ppm or more.

Rotate the filter valve to circulate / divert (or remove the filter element from the cartridge filters).

Dilute the prescribed amount of Quickfloc in a bucket or water and pour it evenly into the pool.

Let the pump run for 1 to 2 hours, then turn it off and let all the particles settle at the bottom of the pool.

Manually vacuum the pool while the filter valve is in the waste (or open the bypass valve in the line after the cartridge filter and waste line have been connected) and vacuum up any flocculated particles for disposal.

After vacuuming, put the valve back in the filter (or close the bypass valve and reassemble the cartridge element), fill the pool with normal water and filter for another six hours.

Then take a bling tablet to collect any leftovers.

Test the pool and chemically balance it if necessary before swimming.