FAQ’s

If you want your pool to be clear, clean and safe then, YES, weekly service is mandatory. A pool’s condition can change rapidly, especially during the swimming season. Consistent maintenance is the only way to keep it sparkling clean and ready for use.

In a nutshell… peace of mind and saving money are two very good reasons to hire Neptune’s Pool & Spa.

Don’t waste your valuable time searching for chemicals and educating yourself on how to properly maintain your swimming pool. Your investment into your pool was for one reason, PERSONAL ENJOYMENT! Stop worrying about its maintenance.

Pool safety is crucial. Here are a few guidelines to help prevent any unfortunate injuries in or around your pool:

1. Whether your child knows how to swim or not, never leave them unattended while swimming.
2. Insure your pool is surrounded by a fence with vertical bars no more than 4 inches apart with self-locking, self-closing gates.
3. Water in your pool or spa lighting is a dangerous hazard…call a professional immediately.
4. Learn CPR and insist that anyone who watches your child knows CPR as well.
5. Make sure you always have lifesaving equipment like poles or flotation devices by your pool at all times.
6. Ensure that insulators are properly installed in timer boxes.

Yes. Your pool filter is the single biggest key component in keeping your swimming pool clean. The purpose of your pool pump is to circulate your water and prevent it from sitting stagnant. The pump is running for maximum circulation and debris removal.

The amount of time required to run your system depends on the time of year and the conditions around your pool area. In the spring and summer months as the weather becomes warmer and swimming increases, the demand for chemicals and filtration increases. It is recommended that the entire volume of water be filtered through twice a day. This can typically be achieved in an 8-10 hour run time per day. In the fall and winter as the weather turns cooler and the demand for chemicals and filtration decreases, it is recommended that the entire volume of water be filtered through once per day. This can typically be achieved in a 4-6 hour run time per day. Certain situations will dictate that your pumps run longer: If your pool is on a heavily wooded lot, you will want to extend the run times during the fall and spring. If you heat the pool in the winter your demand for both chemicals and filtration will not decrease and you will to continue to use the guidelines for spring and summer operation.

Every pool system has different pressure restrictions depending upon the type of equipment and features that were built with your pool. New pool owners will be given the normal pressure for their system with their start up instructions. If you are not the original owner or cannot remember the normal pressure of your system it is recommended that you backwash or clean the filter to establish a baseline pressure.

This is a broad question as the answer could be any number or a combination of things.
Here are some of the most common causes of weak suction.
• Your pool filter may need to be cleaned.
• Your pool cleaner may be clogged with a rock, dirt or leaves.
• You might be missing the lid O-ring.
• The pump suction side and plumbing could have a suction leak.
• The pumps impeller may be obstructed or it may have a bad weir ring or diffuser.
• Your cleaner hoses might be cracked and sucking in air.
• The motor bearings may be going bad causing drag on the motor.
• There may be a high side restriction.
• You may have an obstructed filter or faulty backwash valve preventing water from going through.
• The return lines might be accidentally closed off.

A pool cleaner may not work right because there is a problem in the system such as, no suction, valve not set right, impeller clogged or improper flow but these reasons aren’t the norm.

Typically, you simply have a bunch of leaves or a rock lodged in the cleaner that’s preventing it from moving. The first thing you should do is shut off the equipment, remove your cleaner from the pool, check the bottom for obstructions and remove it. With the obstruction removed, submerge the cleaner into your pool, turn on your pump (let it prime up) then check your cleaner again. Most likely it will be working. If not, it may be a problem mentioned above or it may need new parts.

A close second to the running of your pump, water chemistry will help keep your pool safe to swim in. If your pool water is not correctly maintained you will not only damage the pool equipment but also damage the interior finish of the pool.

Here are some helpful tips to maintaining proper water chemistry:

• Test water chemistry at least once a week
• Always follow manufacturer’s directions for use of chemicals.
• Never mix chemicals.

Total Alkalinity (TA) is a measure of water’s resistance to changes in pH levels. A pool’s TA indicates the amount of alkali (not to be confused with alkaline) in the form of bicarbonates, carbonates, and hydroxides present in the pool water. A proper TA level helps to control pH bounce, staining of surfaces, and corrosion of pool equipment.

Phosphates are the major cause of algae in your swimming pools. Phosphates and nutrients are required by all living organisms — including algae — to survive and flourish in your swimming pool.

Phosphates can be introduced to swimming pool water from a variety of sources. These would include rain, runoff from lawns and gardens, fertilizers, birdseed, plant material, dust, suntan oil, and leaves.

In time, these sources will cause a buildup and increase the concentration of phosphates in the water and thus promote a progressive algae growth. Phosphate removers are available to reduce the level of phosphates in your swimming pool water. (Ideally, you want it as close to a zero reading as possible.)

Yes. Dirt, pollen and algae will naturally collect in the crevices of your pool, so using a pool brush, you will give the filter an opportunity to remove the debris from your swimming pool before it has a chance to settle in the water.

That is called efflorescence, and it comes from the grout. This unsightly buildup can be removed with special products. It is not a problem caused by the pool chemistry.

Floating oils, dirt, and waste can combine to form a scum line around the pool; this is why tile, an easily cleanable surface, is placed at water level around the perimeter of the pool. There are many tile cleanser products available that may be applied with a scrubbing pad or brush and a little elbow grease.

You can expect some water loss due to evaporation and splash out during swimming. The evaporation rate varies by season, area in which you live and amount of time you run your water features. You will experience greater loss of water through evaporation, the greater the difference between warm air temperatures and cooler water temperatures. If suspect you are losing an above average amount of water in your pool, check all plumbing and equipment for leaks, inspect backwash line for water bypassing valve and inspect interior of pool for cracks. Please contact our service department to schedule a service call for visual leaks at equipment or contact the structural warranty department for non-visual leaks to discuss possible scenarios.

Normally, pool water evaporation is about 1″ to 2½″ per week. To determine if you have a leak, you can perform a simple bucket test using an ordinary plastic bucket:
1. Bring pool water to normal level (middle of skimmer).
2. Place a bucket on the first or second step of the pool.
3. Fill the bucket with pool water to the same level as the pool.
4. Mark the water level on the inside of the bucket.
5. Shut off the pump and mark the pool water level on the outside of the bucket.
6. Resume normal pump operation.
7. After 24 to 48 hours, compare the two water levels:

• If the pool water level (outside mark) goes down more than the water level inside the bucket, you probably have a leak.
• In case of rain, repeat the test.
• If your pool is equipped with an auto-fill, you will want to shut off the water supply.

Test is invalid after 48 hours.