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Winter Covers

9/12/2019

 
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​Keep leaves and other debris out of the pool during the winter. 
Open mesh ones let water through and keeps leaves out. Just make sure water doesn't get too high in the pool. 
Solid ones keep everything out, but you have to pump water off the top as it accumulates throughout the winter. 
If you have a deck, wood or cement, you have more options. 

Know your pool equipment

9/5/2019

 
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Skimmers 

Check them daily. Leaves and large debris will stop flow through the filter and make your water cloudy. In the spring or fall when leaves are falling, you may have to check it every hour. 
Never put chlorine tablets in the skimmer. It breaks down the plastic and you will have to buy new baskets. 

Inlets

​This is where the water goes back into the pool. You can usually adjust them to direct the water in the direction you want. 
Usually no adjustment is necessary. 
If you see bubbles coming out, that means you have a leak somewhere that is letting air into the system, and it needs to be repaired. 
Know your pool tools
For more information check out our Pool School documentation: www.midwestcovers.com/services.html

Know your Pool Tools

8/29/2019

 

​Chlorinators

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​There are two kinds of ​Chlorinators:

In-line:
Goes right in line with the return to the pool.

Free Standing:
Has it's own little base and small lines to carry water into it and back to the pool. 

• Don't handle the chlorine tablets. 

• When you open the lid, be very careful, chlorine gas is released and is very dangerous and deadly. Be sure your in a well ventilated area! 

• Use 1" tablets if your pool is taking lots of chlorine (hot weather!) and 3" tablets if usage is less. (Cooler weather). 

• When shutting down your pool for the winter, be sure to remove any tablets left in the chlorinator. They will soften and clog the small holes in the bottom of the chlorinator and you will have to clean them next spring. (Messy!) 
Know your pool tools
For more information check out our Pool School documentation: www.midwestcovers.com/services.html

Know your pool equipment

7/15/2019

 

​Pump

​- Always be sure it has water in it before you start it. 
- Clean the strainer basket overtime you clean the skimmer basket. 
- For above ground pools, use a toilet tank cone to stop the flow of water to clean the strainer basket. 
- Check it for leaks because water can ruin the bearings. 

​Sand Filters 

- ​Always turn off the pump before moving the handle. 
- Back wash when the pressure increases 7-8 pounds over start-up pressure.
​- Back wash for 2-3 minutes or until water is clear. 
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Use a sand filter cleaner at the beginning of the year and every 6 weeks thereafter, and at the end of the season. Pour 4 ounces in the skimmer while backwashing. Sand should last 5-10 years if cleaned. After backwashing, set the handle to RINSE to pack the sand down and make sure no dirt goes back in the pool. (Usually 20-30 seconds) 
Use the WASTE position when you want to vacuum the pool when it is really dirty and don't want the dirt in the filter. (Like opening the pool in the spring.) 
Routinely open the air bleeder to remove any air that might get into the system. (Once a week) ​
Know your pool tools
For more information check out our Pool School documentation: www.midwestcovers.com/services.html

Keeping your pool sparkling clean

7/1/2019

 

​Brushing the Pool 

​Use you pool brush to brush down the sides of the pool once a week. 
​This will prevent algae from getting a place to grow. 
(Kind of like the old gunfighter with his back to the wall!) 
​Dirt can also cling to the sides. 

​Solar Covers 

​Solar covers use bubbles to make them float, not insulate the water. 
Buy one with a protective cover, (sometimes white in color). This will protect it from the ultraviolet rays from the sun, which cause it to "rot". 
Solar covers work by keeping the water from evaporating from the surface of the pool. Evaporation causes 70% of the heat loss on a pool. 
They can help keep the pool cleaner, but only if you remove the cover carefully and hose it off. 
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Keep your pool sparkling clean
For more information check out our Pool School documentation: www.midwestcovers.com/services.html

Testing your water

6/17/2019

 
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​Liquid Test Kits 

​Test Strips 

- ​Work well. 
- Be sure to get fresh reagents every year. 
- Take sample about 18 inches below the surface of the water and away from inlets. 
- Rinse test tube with pool water after each test. 
- Don't touch with your hands. 
- Very simple. 
- Open the bottle with dry hands, and close immediately after getting out a strip. 
- Dip deep, (18 inches). 
- Follow the directions to the letter. 
​- Dip, swirl, hold level, time, whatever they say. 

​Keep a Pool Log 

- ​Lets you know your pool history and helps you troubleshoot. 
- It's a legal thing, if someone catches something and they think they got it at your pool. 
For more information check out our Pool School documentation: www.midwestcovers.com/services.html

Know your Pool Tools

6/3/2019

 

​Cynauric Acid 

​Sun breaks down chlorine, it acts line "sunglasses" for chlorine. 
If it gets to high, it interferes with the chlorine.  The only way to get rid of it is to drain part of the water and replace it. 

​Clarifier

​Usually after shocking the pool for algae, the particles are so small the filter can't catch them. Clarifier causes them to clump together so you can vacuum them off the bottom in about 24 hours. 
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​Algaecide

Used with chlorine to control algae growth. Lots of different kinds, pink, green, black, mustard. ​(You don't want it!) 

​Enzymes 

​Breaks down suntan oils, body oils, cosmetics, other organics. Prevents scum build-up on pool walls and filters. Helps eliminate chloromines and other irritating chemicals. 
Know your pool tools
For more information check out our Pool School documentation: www.midwestcovers.com/services.html

Keeping your pool clean and safe this summer

5/27/2019

 

Getting Chlorine into the Pool

​- Chlorinators are the easiest and simplest. 
- Broadcast on the water. 
- A floater in the pool. 
- Never put in the skimmer basket, it will ruin the plastic. 

​Alkalinity 

​- Maintain at 80 - 120 
- High alkalinity can cause water to be cloudy. 
- Reduce with muratic acid, one quart of acid to one gallon of water, and pour in a column, slowly, in the deep end of the pool. Repeat daily, until reading is reduced. 
- Low alkalinity causes scaling and corosion. 
- Raise alkalinity by adding sodium bicarbonate, (baking soda). 
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For more information check out our Pool School documentation: www.midwestcovers.com/services.htm

Shocking your Pool

5/21/2019

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Why you Shock
When combined chlorines rise you get chloramines. Chloramines are what give you that "chlorine smell", irritated eyes and skin irritation. Shocking adds more chlorine to oxidize (burn up), the wastes that make the water cloudy, and the "free up" the combined chlorines.

​When to Shock
- ​When the water gets cloudy or hazy.
​- You have a large bather loader.
- After a rain or wind storm, because they carry organic matter into the pool.



Keep your pool clean and algae-free
For more information on how to shock your pool check out our Pool School documentation: www.midwestcovers.com/services.html
​​
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Pool Openings

4/11/2019

 

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​When we opened this pool we found that the severe winter and ice had broken the steps in two places. 
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Two cracks about 12 inches long on both sides.
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​After lots of research, we settled on a new product. This product is a two part epoxy that can be reinforced with fiberglass cloth.

The epoxy is applied with a caulking gun that mixes the two parts,  and is applied directly to the area to be repaired. ​


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​We applied a skim coat, then mixed the epoxy into the fiberglass cloth on a mixing board, and applied it to the wall. After smoothing it out, we applied another skim coat.

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Went back the next day and sanded it with 80 grit sander. 
We were very happy with the results.







​Slightly different color, but the customer was very happy, and thought that once the water level was back to normal operating level, no one would see it. This turned out to be a great product, that even works underwater! 
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It can be used on steps, and skimmers.
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Contact Us

641.856.3169

​Visit us

​20674 520th Street Centerville, IA 52544

​Email us at:

info@midwestcovers.com
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