General Pool Questions & Answers

Answers to some of the most common maintenance questions.

How long should I run my swimming pool?

You should run your pool for 10-12 continuous hours during the day.

Why is my pool is losing water?

If the pool was losing water before winterization but held water all winter, the leak is most likely in the lines.

1. First, check around the filter and out the backwash line, if applicable.

2. If the pool was already opened and running and then started losing water, shut off the pump. We recommend that you put winter plugs in all returns and Gizmos back into your skimmer(s) to block any water from going into your lines. Mark the water level on the skimmer faceplate. If the water goes down, the leak may be in the liner, faceplates, stair faceplate gaskets, or skimmer (and/or main drain, if not a Snyder pool).

3. If the water level doesn’t go down, the leak may be in the lines. Start to take the winter plugs out, one at a time, and that will give you the approximate location of which line the leak is in. If the leak appears in one or more lines, a pressure test can be scheduled through our retail store.

How do I Vacuum my pool?

1. Take out your vacuum hose, vacuum head, skim vacuum plate, and vacuum pole, then assemble them. Be sure the swivel end of the vacuum hose is attached to the vacuum head.

2. Take the assembled vacuum equipment to the return that is closest to the skimmer. Place the vacuum head into the water, put the skim vac plate over the return, and hold it over the return until all of the air is out of the hose/vacuum head.

3. Once the hose is filled with water, attach it to the skimmer basket in the skimmer. You will feel it get pulled down taut to the basket, which means you are now ready to vacuum.

4. Inground customers need to turn off the skimmer that isn’t being used. If there is too much suction, turn the valve to half port so there is suction from both skimmers.

5. For filters with a multiport, leave the multiport in the “Filter” position. When you are done vacuuming, backwash for 60 seconds and rinse for 30 seconds. For customers with D.E. filters, add the required amount of D.E. through the skimmer after backwashing and repeat this process three times total. If the pool is still dirty, repeat the vacuuming steps by turning the multiport clockwise back to the “Filter” position.

How do I vacuum with a Polaris/ Auto cleaner?

1. Hook up the Polaris to the designated return.

2. Open the auto cleaner's red-handled valve.

3. Shut off the rest of the returns/red-handled valves.

4. Do not touch any other valves (Polaris runs off of pressure).

5. To disconnect, open all returns/red-handled valves and shut the auto cleaner red-handled valve.

Why do I have little to no pressure/ suction?

1. Make sure the water is ¾ way up the skimmer.

2. If you have a lot of air bubbles, you need to check all O-rings, gaskets, or unions where the air could be getting into the system. Lube with Jack’s or Magic Lube. Do not use Vaseline as it will corrode the O-rings. The most common place for air leaks is the pump lid O-ring, housing, and/or pump plugs.

3. If it is only happening while vacuuming, it may be the vacuum equipment.

4. If none of these apply, please schedule a service call through our retail store.