We are a Bioguard pool and spa chemical dealer. Purchase a pool or spa from us and receive 10%
off of your Bioguard chemicals for life in our store and free computerized water analysis!
Five Keys To Basic Pool Care:
CIRCULATION
Pool water must be circulated for maximum sanitizer effectiveness. The more your water is in motion, the harder it is for bacteria and algae to take hold. Debris is captured by your filter, too. The best time to circulate the water is during the day, for 10 hours or more.
FILTRATION
The filter is one of your most important pieces of equipment. It removes both visible debris and most microscopic matter. Generally, a filter should be backwashed (the removal of material trapped on or in the filter media) when the water pressure in the filter reaches 8 to 10 pounds above normal. (Check manufacturer's guidelines.) Because backwashing does not remove oils and deeply embedded debris, every filter needs to be chemically cleaned regularly. Your BioGuard Dealer can help you establish a filter maintenance program.
CLEANING
Some swimming pools have areas with little or no circulation. This is where algae and bacteria can begin to grow. At least once a week, the walls and floor should be brushed and vacuumed to remove debris that the filter misses. Brushing is a must, even if you use an automatic pool cleaner or retain a weekly service.
TESTING
Every pool has characteristics that must be regularly measured and adjusted. Most important are the pH and the level of active sanitizer. By testing these two factors at regular intervals, you'll understand how bather load, weather and product application affect the water. Test your pool water two or three times per week. Also, take a sample to your BioGuard Dealer when you open and close your pool, and every four to six weeks during the season. This will help you maintain proper water balance and greatly reduce the potential for problems.
PROPER WATER MAINTENANCE
The last step in a total pool maintenance program is applying the right products to your pool water at the right time. This will help you:
Provide a sanitary swimming environment.
Balance the water to protect the equipment and pool surfaces. Unbalanced water can permanently damage both.
Provide brilliant, sparkling water that's inviting.
Enjoy your pool!
Six Essential Keys To Spa Care:
Relaxing in your spa can be very soothing and enjoyable. Proper spa care with SpaGuard® Products will give you the most out of the spa experience.
CIRCULATION:
Every day, bacteria and other contaminants can find their way into your spa water. Care should be taken to enhance circulation – this will help prevent these contaminants from becoming problems.
As the
water circulates it:
• passes through the filter and the suspended particles are trapped.
• thoroughly distributes the SpaGuard products that kill bacteria, eliminate undesirable compounds, and help prevent problems.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1. Run your spa's circulation system every day. Check your spa owner's manual to determine how long your spa's circulation system should run or ask your SpaGuard Dealer for advice.
2. If your spa has a separate circulation pump that runs continuously, simply make sure that your system is always in good working order.
CLEANING:
If left unchecked, contaminants such as dirt, oil, and even bacteria can accumulate at the waterline, much like a bathtub ring. Good spa care involves regular cleaning of surfaces. This will not only preserve the surfaces, but will also make the whole spa environment look and feel better.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1. Use a skimmer net to remove floating debris.
2. Brush and vacuum the spa.
3. If you have a skimmer basket, empty it once or twice a week.
4. Clean the oily ring that forms at the waterline using SpaGuard® Surface Cleaner or SpaGuard Spa Mitts. If you are on the SoftSoak system click here. This fast-acting product breaks up the oils and debris at the waterline so you can easily wipe the surface clean. Unlike most common household cleaners, SpaGuard Surface Cleaner is totally compatible with your spa's water chemistry.
5. Prevent waterline build-up with SpaGuard Natural Spa Enzyme. This natural product has enzymes that digest most oils and eliminate them from the water.
By removing these oils:
• Your spa will be less likely to form foam.
• The surface will be easier to clean.
• The waterline will require less frequent cleaning.
• The filter will require less maintenance.
FILTRATION:
Many spa care mistakes are caused by poor filtration. A filter that's operating properly helps keep the water clear by capturing the hair, oils, and cosmetics that wash off when people use the spa. When the filter is dirty or clogged, all this debris remains in the water. Most spas have a cartridge filter. Check your owner's manual for detailed information on how to remove the filter for cleaning. Typically you should clean the filter every 4-6 weeks.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1. Remove the cartridge.
2. Rinse with a garden hose to remove loose debris. A hose-end nozzle is best. A pressure washer has too much pressure. (NOTE: this will not eliminate the accumulated oils.)
3. Every time you clean your filter, use SpaGuard Filter Cleaner and Degreaser according to label instructions. This will dissolve and loosen the built-up oil and dirt. If you are on the SoftSoak program, use SoftSoak Filter Cleaner.
4. Thoroughly rinse the cartridge again. (Ideally the cartridge should be allowed to dry before being returned to service.)
5. Return the cleaned cartridge to the filter housing.
6. Replace the filter element as often as the manufacturer or your SpaGuard Dealer recommends.
7. Use
SpaGuard Water Clarifier
weekly. If you are on the SoftSoak program click
here. Some
particles of debris are microscopic and too small for the filter to catch. Water
Clarifier will help join these tiny particles together and allow the filter to
remove them, keeping the water clear. SpaGuard Water Clarifier is compatible
with the SoftSoak program.
CHEMISTRY:
By using a SpaGuard program in your spa care regimen, you’ll receive numerous benefits. When used according to label instructions, SpaGuard products will:
Make the water feel clean and comfortable.
Kill bacteria which can multiply rapidly in a spa.
Protect spa surfaces from stains caused by metals which are often dissolved in water.
Protect spa equipment from scale caused by calcium deposits. Scale can accumulate on spa surfaces and inside filters and heaters, greatly reducing their effectiveness.
For your convenience, we've color-coded our different product categories.
BLUE: Sanitizers to kill bacteria and keep the water protected and soothing.
ORANGE: Oxidizers to remove undesirable compounds and keep the water clean and inviting.
PURPLE: Balancers to make the water feel wonderful, and protect the spa surfaces and equipment.
TEAL: Accessories to keep the spa surfaces clean and the water beautiful.
If you are on the SoftSoak program, click here.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1. Maintain an adequate sanitizer level at all times to kill bacteria.
• SpaGuard® Brominating Concentrate. Bromine is an ideal bacteria fighter in spa care. Simply add these concentrated granules into the spa water according to label instructions. A double dose of Brominating Concentrate can also serve as a shock.
• Brominating Tablets. As these Brominating Tablets dissolve, they release powerful protection against bacteria. Use them in a brominator or in a floating feeder. IMPORTANT: Do not place Brominating Tablets in the skimmer or drop directly onto the spa's surface.
• Chlorinating Concentrate. This fast dissolving chlorine product is also effective against bacteria and easy to apply. Sprinkle the granules directly into the spa according to label instructions. A double dose can also serve as shock.
If you are on the SoftSoak program, click here.
2. Use SpaGuard Enhanced Shock* (or a shock dosage of Brominating or Chlorinating Concentrate) to remove undesirable compounds, eliminate odors, clarify the water, and restore the sparkle. SpaGuard Enhanced Shock is the preferred routine shock product in spa care. This patented formula has oxidizers to remove undesirable compounds and clarifiers to make the water beautiful and clear. And it works fast so you can quickly get right back to relaxing.
Every time you refill your spa with fresh water use SpaGuard Stain and Scale Control to prevent metal stains and scale build-up. If your water contains high levels of minerals or metals, your SpaGuard Dealer may also recommend a weekly maintenance dose in your spa care routine.
Even if your spa is equipped with an ozone generator, you still need SpaGuard sanitizing and "shock products." Ozone can provide some oxidizing support, but ozone is very short lived. SpaGuard sanitizers provide the continuous, reliable protection you need.
TESTING:
There are 2 primary components that affect spa water quality.
1. Sanitizer
2. pH
When both are within their recommended ranges:
• Your water is comfortable, protected and clear.
• Your sanitizers and "shock products" work efficiently.
• Your spa surfaces and equipment are protected.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1. Maintain sanitizer within the recommended levels:
Bromine residual = 2 - 6 ppm
Brominating Concentrate = 3-6 ppm
Brominating Tablets = 2-4 ppm
Chlorine residual = 3 - 5 ppm
If you're on the SoftSoak program, click here.
(If your spa is equipped with an ozone generator, you may choose to maintain the chlorine or bromine at the lower end of their ranges.)
2. Maintain the pH between 7.4 - 7.6. In this range bathers are comfortable, the spa surface and equipment are protected, and the sanitizers perform efficiently.
Add SpaGuard® Spa Sentry™ to hold the pH in it's optimum range. pH is THE most important aspect of spa water quality. However, maintaining the proper pH can be a challenge in a spa. The heated, aerated water, combined with heavy bather loads can cause the pH to change quickly, unless a means for buffering these changes is present. That's where SpaGuard Spa Sentry comes in. Spa Sentry is formulated to "watch over" the pH and protect the water from pH changes. So all you have to worry about is enjoying your spa.
3. Test sanitizer and pH level several times a week with the test strips. These strips provide quick, easy and accurate readings. The test process is easy. Follow the label instructions. Simply dip and read.
4. Take a water sample to your SpaGuard dealer regularly (every 4-6 weeks) for a complete water analysis. In addition to testing the pH and sanitizer, this analysis will measure the water's total alkalinity, calcium hardness, iron, copper, manganese and total dissolved solids. Based on this analysis, your dealer can recommend the SpaGuard spa care products you need in order to keep the spa looking and feeling great!
DRAINING & FILLING:
Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa care. Over time, the water absorbs and dissolves minerals, chemicals and other soluble material. Your SpaGuard Dealer can perform a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test to help determine if it's time to replace your water. High TDS can make the water look dull, become foamy and develop an odor.
How often
you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it.
This simple formula can help.
(# of Spa
Gallons / # of Daily Bathers) / 3 = Days Between Draining
* Example: (300 gallons / 2 daily bathers) / 3 = 50 days
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1. Drain the water. Check your owner's manual for information.
2. Clean the spa surfaces with SpaGuard Surface Cleaner or SpaGuard Spa Mitts.
3. SpaGuard Surface Cleaner is compatible with the SoftSoak program.
5. Refill the spa with fresh water.
6. Take a sample of the water used to refill the spa to your SpaGuard Dealer for a complete analysis.
7. Add the recommended SpaGuard products in the order and amount determined by the water analysis.
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Email: info@carolinah2o.com