4135316230

from our family to yours

Southwick pools and more services western massachusetts and some of connecticut. family owned and operated we offer competitive pricing with unyielding value. You will find many of our services listed below; if you are in need of a service you do not see on website please still call as it might be something offered on a case-by-case basis. we look forward to hearing from you soon!

School - for - your - Pool

Use this guide as a reference for troubleshooting many of the common problems that arise during pool ownership

Please check back soon for a finished "school for your pool"!! In the meantime call or text with any water concerns. (413) 531-6230

wATER DISCOLORATION ISSUES?

surface of water
copper
mANGANESE
iRON
SCALE BUILD-UP
Foaming
description
gRAY, CLEAR GREEN OR TURQUOISE WATER
COFFEE BROWN OR PURPLE WATER
REDDISH BROWN OR RUST
SANDPAPER-LIKE BUILDUP ON THE SURFACE gRAYISH OR TAN COLORATION THAT IS DIFFICULT TO DRUSH AWAY
Bubbles on the pool surface
POTENTIAL CAUSES
EQUIPMENT CORROSION OUTSIDE CONTAMINATION FILL WATER USE OF COPPER ALGAECIDE
EQUIPMENT CORROSION OUTSIDE CONTRAMINATION FILL WATER
OUTSIDE CONTAMINATION FILL WATER
IMPROPER WATER BALANCE HIGH ta [tOTAL aLKALINITY]Ph AND/OR ch [cALCIUM HARDNESS]
Excessive algaecide foreign substance
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
METAL OUT ALGAECIDE
sUPER FLOC VACUUM OUT WASTE ADD METAL OUT
sUPER fLOC vACUUM OUT WASTE aDD METAL OUT
METAL OUT OR STAIN OUT bALANCE WATER aCID WASH
Defoamer determine the source and partially drain if necessary use algaecide

Green algae

Murky Green Water? some growth?

Possible causes: - low sanitizer- poor maintenance- improper water balance- poor circulation
Potential solutions: - shock treatment - algaecide - clean the filter - check the system

Black algae

Rough, black spots on the bottom of the pool that brushes off with effort?

Possible Causes: - Low Sanitizer - poor maintenance - Improper water balance - Poor Circulation
Potential Solutions: - algaecide - brushing - clean the filter - check the system

Mustard algae

Yellowish-gold growth that easily brushes away? yellow-ish green water?

Possible causes: - low sanitizer- poor maintenance- improper water balance- poor circulation
Potential solutions: - algaecide - Brushing

Pink Slime

Pink, slimy bacterial growth that brushes off easily?

Possible Causes: - Low sanitizer - Poor maintenance - improper water balance - poor circulation
Potential Solutions: - Brushing - aLGAECIDE - cLEAN THE FILTER - cHECK THE SYSTEM

wATER MOLD

wHITE MUCOUS OR TISSUE PAPER-LIKE SUBSTANCE?

Possible causes: - low sanitizer- poor maintenance- improper water balance- poor circulation
Potential solutions: - shock treatment - algaecide - clean the filter - check the system

cHLORINE DEMAND

uNABLE TO MAINTAIN THE FREE CHLORINE LEVEL OR CANNOT BREAK THE HIGH COMBINED CHLORINE?

  • Possible Causes: - fOREIGN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS - POOR MAINTENANCE
Potential Solutions: - SHOCK TREATMENT

aNIMALS AND iNSECTS

wATER BUGS? DUCKS, DOGS, FROGS ETC. TAKING A DIP IN YOUR POOL?

Possible Causes: - eNVIRONMENTAL - LACK OF BARRIERS TO ACCESS
Potential Solutions: - sHOCK TREATMENT TO KILL THE ORGANIC ELEMENTS - ALGAECIDE

iSSUES WITH pOOL?

Bleaching? pale to white spotty discoloration on surface of liner?

possible Causes = improper chemical addition potential Solutions: - REPLACE LINER IF NECESSARY - REPAINT THE SURGACE - PREDISSOLVE DRY SUBSTANCES BEFORE ADDITION

sTAINING

wHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE:
  • bLACK, gREEN, tORQUOISE OR BROWN SPOTS ON THE BOTTOM THAT DO NOT BRUSH OFF
  • fUNGUS UNDER THE LINER
  • DISCOLORATION FROM LEAVES AND DEBRIS
  • METAL STAINS
pOTENTIAL CAUSES: - tANNIC ACID - lEAVING DEBRIS FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME - METAL IN CLOSE VICINITY TO POOL WATER
sOLUTIONS: - mETAL OUT OR STAIN OUT - DRAIN SO-SHOCK THE POOL ME TO ALL WATER, PULL UP LINER AND CLEAN FROM UNDERSIDE

lINER WRINKLING

DOES YOUR VINYL LINER HAVE WRINKLES?
pOTENTIAL CAUSES: - iMPROPER WATER BALANCE lOW ta [tOTAL aLKALINITY] lOW Ph , AND / OR cALCIUM HARDNESS -iMPROPER INSTALLATION pOTENTIAL SOLUTIONS: - bALANCE THE WATER - mAY NEED TO REPLACE LINER TO PREVENT TEARS

ETCHING

PITTING OF PLASTER SURFACES
pOTENTIAL CAUSES:- iMPROPER WATER BALANCE lOW ta [tOTAL aLKALINITY] lOW Ph , AND / OR cALCIUM HARDNESS-iMPROPER INSTALLATION
pOTENTIAL SOLUTIONS:- bALANCE THE WATER- mAY NEED TO REPLACE THE PLASTER SURFACE

Filtration problems

is your filter clogging? are you experiencing short filter runs? some of the possible causes:
  • dirty filter
  • Media not cleaned
  • Improper amount of filter media
  • improper water balance
Troubleshoot through this list by replacing the filter media and cleaning filter and media with filter cleaner.
sand filters and various systems differ, always refer to guidebook that came with filter for direct instructions.

oTHER POSSIBILE PROBLEMS

wATER LOSS
iS THERE A NOTICAEBLE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR WATER LEVEL? dAILY AMOUNT MISSING: lESS THAN 1/2 INCH = EVAPORATION RATE NORMAL RANGE 1/2 INCH TO 1 INCH WITH ACTIVE USE OF POOL = OK OVER 1 INCH = POSSIBILITY OF LEAK tO ADDRESS EVERYDAY POOL WATER LOSS INVEST IN A SOLAR COVER. SEEK PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE WITH ALL POTENTIAL LEAKS
TESTING PROBLEMS
REAGENT BLEEACHING: WHEN COLOR OF TEST FADES TO CLEAR POTENTIAL CAUSES = HIGH CHLORIME OR BROMINE LEVELS HOW TO ADDRESS? aDD UP TO 5 DROPS OF A CHLORINE NEUTRALIZER REAGENT discoloration: reagent color is differrent than it should be - for example the ph test turns purple or the dpd turns brown. potential causes = high chlorine or bromine levels old Reagents How to address? Let the chlorine levels come down, then retest. if old, replace Reagents
Blonde hair turns green after swimming?
Cause = copper in pool water potential solutions: - Metal out -Lemon juice or vinegar in the hair to remove green color

Has it rained a lot lately?

rain washes debris into the pool and raises the water level, increasing the sanitizer demand
  • rebalance the water after circulating for 24 hours
  • shock the pool

Eye pain or discomfort after swimming?

does pool have a sharp, irritating odor? potenital causes: - swimmer waste -chloramines -oils - organic waste Potential solution= Shock Treatment

Disclaimer

Southwick pools and more is not liable for any advice or actions taken on behalf of this comprehensive guide. this is for suggestion and troubleshooting only. All services should be performed or advised by a professional.