Pool maintenance – Compass Pools Australia https://www.compasspools.com.au Home of the Self Cleaning Pool Thu, 23 Nov 2023 05:21:21 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.9 Pool Covers and Rollers https://www.compasspools.com.au/news/pool-covers-and-pool-rollers/ https://www.compasspools.com.au/news/pool-covers-and-pool-rollers/#respond Thu, 16 Dec 2021 21:58:18 +0000 https://www.compasspools.com.au/?p=48184 Pool covers and rollers are one of the most common accessories people choose to add to their swimming pool package. They are a fantastic way to protect your swimming pool from unnecessary heat loss and debris and come in a variety of styles and installation choices to suit any budget and aesthetic. Three reasons why…

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Pool covers and rollers are one of the most common accessories people choose to add to their swimming pool package. They are a fantastic way to protect your swimming pool from unnecessary heat loss and debris and come in a variety of styles and installation choices to suit any budget and aesthetic.

Three reasons why investing in a pool cover is a great idea

1) A pool cover is a great way to add heat to your pool

Especially if you don’t have a solar or electric heat pump. A pool cover, such as the Solar Gains Cover is a fantastic way to achieve extra heat.

Solar Gains Cover: A Solar Gains Cover is similar to a bubble wrap blanket for your swimming pool. It is designed to let heat transfer from the sun directly into your pool, while simultaneously providing a protective barrier to prevent heat escaping from the water. A Solar Gains Cover from a reputable manufacturer can add, in some cases, as much as four or five degrees of heat to your swimming pool when compared to a non-covered pool! We have even heard that swimming pools with this cover can get so warm, that people choose to leave them off for a day or two. A Solar Gains Cover is a great way to add extra heat to your swimming pool, especially if you don’t have a heat pump.

2) A pool cover can provide Thermal Protection

Pool covers are also a fantastic way to provide thermal protection to your swimming pool. If you have a solar heater or heat pump in your swimming pool, a thermal protection cover, such as the Heat Retention Blanket is a great way to keep the warmth in.

Heat Retention Blanket: A heat retention blanket is different in consistency to a Solar Gains cover, as it tends to be more foam-like with a reflective material on top. Everything about this blanket is designed to keep the heat in your swimming pool, and to stop it from escaping. Did you know, over 90% of a swimming pools warmth is lost through it’s surface? A good quality Heat Retention Blanket helps to drastically reduce the majority of that heat loss, particularly overnight. The added benefit, is that with less heat loss, your pool heater or pump won’t have to work so hard to regulate your pool’s temperature. Meaning that a Heat Protection Blanket may even reduce your ongoing power consumption and costs!

Compass Pools Australia Contemporary Pool Cover Pool Rollers

Contemporary 16.6m custom in colour Evolution with thermal pool cover. Installed by North West Pools.

3) Swimming pool covers are great for debris management

Debris management covers typically look mesh like, and are a great way to reduce debris, such as tree leaves, from entering your swimming pool. A debris pool cover can be placed directly onto the swimming pools surface, however if you live in a high debris area, attaching the cover to the pavers around the pool will provide more options for varying degrees of debris control. Alternatively, you can control debris by using a Solar Gains Cover or a Heat Retention Blanket. However, it is important to note, that a self-cleaning swimming pool further assists with debris management, and may reduce your need for a debris management pool cover.

Compass Pools Australia Pool with Roller cover in Vogue 7.15m Pacific

Vogue 7.15m in colour Pacific with roller cover. Pool installed by Composite Pools.

How to Integrate your pool cover and roller into your swimming pool area

The great thing about swimming pool covers and rollers, is that there are plenty of options and styles to suit all budgets and aesthetic needs. They are highly customisable and can be integrated into your pool area, any way you like. The best way to decide which cover and roller style suits your needs is to have a conversation with your pool planner.

If you are on a budget, there are some great standard cover and roller units available that sit at the end of your pool. These units can be placed on top of your deck or concrete patio, and easily unwind to protect your pool as needed.

Compass Pools Australia Pool with Roller Cover in Fastlane 17m Pacific

17m custom Fastlane in colour Pacific with roller cover. Installed by Capital Country Pools.

If you are concerned about the aesthetics of your cover and roller unit- no worries! There are some great options to suit your needs. Some manufacturers offer options where your pool cover rolls back into a bench seat. Or you can always just custom your very own design, that suits the functionality and style of your pool area.

Other great options include inground or in-deck rollers and covers. These can be designed in two ways.

1) Inground/ Cover Pit

These covers are installed in pits beneath a deck or into the concrete around your swimming pool. To roll out these covers, simply open the lid, pull it out above your deck and then slide it across the top of your pool. To wind it back, simply use a 90-degree crank shaft.

2) In Deck Roller

These covers are installed by creating a pit under your decking, and then ensuring that the decking goes right up to the edge of the pool. Once complete your cover simply rolls out from under the deck and is completely hidden from sight when not in use.

Compass Pools Australia Pool with In deck Roller Cover in Vogue 10.2m Pearl

Compass Pools Australia Pool In Deck Roller Cover in Vogue 10.2m Pearl

Vogue 10.2m Swimming Pool in colour Pearl with in deck roller cover. Installed by Central Pools

Important advice about swimming pool covers

This advice is important for anyone using a cover on their swimming pool- especially if you have an automated chemical dosing system, such as a salt chlorinator or a liquid chlorine feeder. UV light and rays break down chemicals such as chlorine, and pool covers act as a barrier between your pool and the sun. As a result, if your pool cover is on for a long uninterrupted period of time, the sun can’t break down the chemicals in your pool. This can increase the concentration of chlorine and chemicals, and may result in serious damage to the shell of your swimming pool. This damage, depending on the extent, may be treatable but is extremely costly, and in some cases the chemical damage cannot be fixed. To prevent this in times such as winter, or if you know your pool won’t be used for a while, keep these two helpful tips in mind.

1) Reduce the dosage

Reduce the dosage of chemicals in your swimming pool system during the period of non-use or when you are going away. This helps to prevent chemical concentration building up and thus prevents chemical damage.

2) Remove the pool cover

Or remove the pool cover during the period in which the pool is not in use. This simply prevents chemicals from building up, because the UV rays have direct access to break them down.

Compass Pools Australia Pool with Pool Cover & Pool Roller in Refresh 6.1m Grey Marble

Refresh 6.1m Express Pool in colour Grey-Marble with pool cover. Installed by The Little Pool Co.

 

Swimming pool covers and rollers are a great option for pool protection, heat and debris control. They can assist with reducing costs, but just remember to adjust the chemicals or remove the cover if the pool is not in use for long periods of time.

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Easy Ways to Improve Your Swimming Pool Circulation https://www.compasspools.com.au/news/improve-your-pool-circulation/ https://www.compasspools.com.au/news/improve-your-pool-circulation/#respond Tue, 10 Mar 2020 04:01:04 +0000 https://www.compasspools.com.au/?p=20676 Think of all the water in your pool. It should constantly move and circulate, or at least circulate for 10 to 12 hours a day. Your pool circulation system has to be in top shape to ensure you don’t end up with stagnant water that encourages algae and bacteria growth. Read on to learn how…

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Think of all the water in your pool. It should constantly move and circulate, or at least circulate for 10 to 12 hours a day. Your pool circulation system has to be in top shape to ensure you don’t end up with stagnant water that encourages algae and bacteria growth. Read on to learn how to improve your swimming pool’s circulation and keep your water crystal-clear and free of debris.

Why Pool Water Circulation is Important

What happens when water stands still? It becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and algae, and it can look cloudy, muddy or dirty. Debris gathers in these stagnant areas, and it creates an environment that isn’t healthy for anyone to swim in.

The water also won’t be evenly distributed throughout the pool. This can cause chemical imbalances, leading to dirty or cloudy water. Also, you’ll spend more money trying to balance out the chemicals in your water, not to mention the waste.

Proper pool circulation takes care of all of these issues. It pushes the water through your filter system to catch and screen out dirt, bugs, grass and any other particles in the water. It can even get rid of the oils left by your skin or cosmetics. As long as your swimming pool circulation system is in good shape, it’ll help your water stay clear throughout the season.

How Pool Water Circulation Works

Pool circulation starts in your pump. You need to select the correct pump for your pool size and water volume, to ensure that it can cycle the water through several times a day. The pump connects to a horizontal hose that runs to your pool’s skimmer. Once you switch the pump on, it’ll create suction that starts to pull the water through the skimmer.

There is a vertical hose on top of your pump that will connect to your filter system. The water will travel through the skimmer and pump before entering the filtering area. The filter is the component that will screen out the debris and microscopic particles that could turn your water cloudy. A second hose connects to the pump’s exit and pulls the clean water back into the swimming pool.

When the water travels back into the swimming pool, it’ll circulate throughout it and mix with any chemicals you add into the water. It’ll spread the chemicals out in the pool and evenly distribute them. If you don’t have a pool circulation system, you have to drain and refill it on a weekly basis.

Compass Pools Australia Traditional pool circulation system eyeball and skimmer system

Pool Circulation Technology: Old Versus New

An old-fashioned eyeball and skimmer system works to clean the surface of the pool. This traditional water circulation system uses a pool skimmer box and a pump. The pump draws the water through the pool filter box before it returns it to the pool jets (eyeballs). These eyeballs are only 30 to 60cm below the water’s surface, and so only clean the shallower section of the water, leaving other areas untouched.

But new technology goes further than this. This technology allows for you to circulate and clean all of the water in your pool, and not just the surface.

At Compass Pools, we offer the Vantage cleaning system. This is an in-floor cleaning system that uses a series of nozzles embedded in the pool’s floor. They lay flat when you don’t use them, so they are out of the way. When you switch them on, the nozzles move to point upward and shoot the clean water towards the surface of the pool. This moves the water in a circular motion that drives it through the cleaning system.

Another option you have available to you is the Logic water circulation system. This system incorporates a skimmer and two wall drains. Once the water passes through the skimmer, the clean water is returned through the swing jets and is evenly distributed to every area of your pool.

How to Avoid Pool Circulation Problems

There are several things you can do to avoid pool circulation problems. First, you want to ensure you set up a proper cleaning routine for your pump and filter system. Even newer technology requires routine cleaning to keep it working in top shape.

To start, make a point to clean your pool pump filter at least once a week. If you notice that your water pressure has dropped, you may have to clean them sooner because there is a clog somewhere that stops the water from flowing through.

If your swimming pool has a cartridge filter, you’ll have to routinely spray it out. This will get rid of a lot of the trapped debris or particles and make it easier for the water to flow through. You should replace your filters every two to four weeks, based on your manufacturer’s instructions.

You may also want to backwash your filter system. When you backwash it, you make the water go through the system in the opposite direction than it would during normal operation. This can help dislodge any stuck-in debris or clogs, and the backwashed water is directed to the drainage port.

Maintain your pool’s recommended water levels. Ideally, the water levels will reach halfway up the skimmers. If they don’t, it can decrease the amount of water your system can screen. If there is too much water, you can overwhelm your system and harm circulation. This can also make it difficult to balance the chemicals in the pool water.

Vantage pool water circulation system

Locate Your Local Compass Pools Dealer Today!

Would you like to know more about the Vantage or Logic pool circulation system? Come and visit your nearest Compass Pools dealer. We are looking forward to helping you select the best pool water circulation system for your new Compass fibreglass pool!

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Swimming Pool Maintenance for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide https://www.compasspools.com.au/news/guide-to-swimming-pool-maintenance/ https://www.compasspools.com.au/news/guide-to-swimming-pool-maintenance/#respond Sat, 07 Mar 2020 19:46:05 +0000 https://www.compasspools.com.au/?p=20624 The post Swimming Pool Maintenance for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on Compass Pools Australia.

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You’ve finally done it. You decided to install a beautiful swimming pool right in your own backyard that you can use any time you like. You have all your gear, the pool is set up and it’ll last for years, right? Well, it should, but the answer depends entirely on your pool maintenance schedule. If you don’t know how to maintain a pool, your pool’s lifespan will shorten, drastically!

Any swimming pool requires routine maintenance to keep all of the parts in good working order and the water clean and clear. Our swimming pool maintenance guide will give you a strong understanding of everything pool maintenance entails. This includes knowing how your pool works, tips on how to care for it, and much more. We’ll help you keep your pool clean and looking beautiful all season long.

Basic Parts of Your Pool and Pool Maintenance

Before we get into the more complex topics of pool maintenance, we want to make sure you have a good understanding of your pool’s basic parts. Each part does something slightly different, and knowing how to maintain a pool requires a working knowledge of the four main components.

Component One – The Filter System

Your filter system is the workhorse of your entire pool setup. This is the component that is responsible for keeping your pool’s water circulating and clean. The pool pump is the part that will force the water to circulate to the pool filter. The filter will catch any debris, dirt and contaminants that could impact your water’s cleanliness level.

The filter protects your pool and anyone that swims in it from harm. It stops bacteria and algae from building up, and this makes the water safe. If your filter system were to fail, your pool water would turn cloudy and polluted. Salt water chlorinators, sand filters, cartridge filters, and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters are all popular.

Component Two – The Returns and Skimmers

The second biggest component of your pool are the returns and skimmers. The skimmers are the holes in the side of the pool that are responsible for pulling your pool’s water into the filter, and for pushing the water through the filter as it is cleaned. The returns are the components that return the clean water back to the pool.

These two parts work best when you routinely clean them. If there is a lot of debris or obstruction, the water won’t flow correctly. As a result, you’ll end up with dirty water. This is why you have to routinely backwash these systems and clean them out at least once a week. The cleaner each part is, the better it will function.

Component Three – The Pool Walls

No matter whether you have a fibreglass, concrete, rubber, plastic or vinyl pool, it will have walls that come into constant contact with the pool water. If your water doesn’t have the correct chemical balance, it becomes much easier for bacteria and algae to start growing and thriving. These pollutants can make your water unhealthy, and they can cause problems for your pool walls.

Every other week, you should make a point to scrub the pool’s interior walls to get rid of any bacteria or algae growth, and to remove any debris in the water. If you don’t have time to do it by hand, you can invest in a robotic cleaner that will run automatically. Another option is to get a self-cleaning pool system.

Pool maintenance guide - Water chemistry

Component Four – The Water

For a beginner, finding the correct chemical balance for the water, and maintaining this, can seem like a daunting challenge. However, there are complete kits that can help to keep your water crystal-clear and safe to swim in. To keep your water clean and safe, you should focus on the following measurements (the values below are recommended for Compass Pools owners; if you have a fibreglass pool from another manufacturer or a completely different pool, refer to your pool builder or local pool shop to avoid potential damage to your pool):

  • pH level – pH levels show how acidic or alkaline the water is. A neutral pH protects your pool equipment from corrosion while also stopping skin and eye irritation. We recommend keeping the pH range between 7.2 to 7.6 ppm.
  • Total Alkalinity – This keeps your pH level in the pool balanced, and it should stay between 100ppm to 150ppm (parts per million).
  • Chlorine – Chlorine acts like a sanitiser that rids the pool’s water of bacteria and algae. Keep chlorine levels between 1.0ppm and 2.0ppm but up to 3.0ppm is acceptable.
  • Stabiliser (Cyanuric Acid) – If you have chlorine in your pool, this will shield it from sunlight. The ideal value is 50pppm, and cyanuric acid determines how much free chlorine you need in your water.
  • Salt (for salt chlorinated pools) – Ideal level is between 3000 and 4000 ppm; lower salt levels may be required by some types of chlorinators.
  • Calcium Hardness – You want to prevent damage to your pool’s walls, and keeping your calcium hardness between 175ppm and 225ppm will help.
  • T.D.S. (Total Dissolved Solids) – Ideal level = less than 1500 ppm.
  • Phosphates – Ideal level = zero but less than 0.2 ppm.
    Water Balance – Zero, or slightly negative on the Langlier Saturation Index (-0.2).

Note: For more advice on maintaining a clean and healthy pool and maintaining correct water chemistry, consult your local pool shop.

If you’re having issues keeping your water clear, buy a water testing kit. This kit comes with individual containers to carry out each test. Fill the containers with pool water and see what shade the water turns. Compare this colour to the colour on the chart included in the kid. It’ll tell you exactly where your levels are, and you’ll know if you need to adjust something or not.

Test your water at least once a week in the swimming season or monthly outside it. If you have a lot of rain or you find yourself refilling the pool because your water levels dropped too low, test it. These things can throw your water chemistry off, and it can result in cloudy water.

Checking Your Pool’s Circulation

Pool Circulation and Pool Maintenance

Your pool’s water should circulate on a constant basis to keep it clean and clear. If you have stagnant water, this is the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. A high-quality, well-maintained circulation system will effectively combat pool algae or cloudy water. Your pump and filter system should run daily.

Ideally, your pump and filters should run around the clock. If this isn’t feasible for your budget, plan to run the system for at least 10 to 12 hours at the minimum, every day. This is ample time for your system to circulate all of your pool’s water at least once or twice.

Cleaning Your Pool’s Filter System

Your pool won’t be able to circulate water at full capacity if you have a dirty system. This is why it’s so important to clean out the filters and skimmer basket at least once a week. To clean these components, switch your filter off and remove the filter cap. Lift out the basket and remove any debris. Once you finish, put it back together and turn it back on.

Plan to backwash your filter system every month. Backwashing will help clean out the pipes on your filter system and get rid of any debris or stagnant water. To do this, remove the basket and switch your filter to the “backwash” setting.

What this does is has the water flow in the opposite direction as it normally does. Any debris will go into your pool’s waste port. Let the system run until the water becomes clear. Switch the filter back off, switch it back to its normal setting, and return the basket to the filter.

Cleaning Your Pool

A big part of pool maintenance is cleaning your pool regularly. It’s so easy to skip a day here or a week there, but this can significantly impact how long your pool components last. There are several ways you can clean your pool, and it all depends on your budget. At the very least, you’ll need a net skimmer to get rid of surface debris, and a pool brush to clean the sides and bottom of the pool. If you have money set aside, a robotic pool cleaner can help automate much of this task.

Brushing, skimming and vacuuming your pool at least once a week can help control the bacteria, algae and remove any debris. If you have a tough algae spot that you can’t remove, make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the area and scrub. This won’t damage your tile or vinyl.

If you’re worried about the oils from skin or hair products forming a sheen on your water surface, tossing a few tennis balls into the pool or skimmer basket can help. The surface of a tennis ball will absorb the oils and remove them from your water. Wrapping a pair of fine denier tights around your skimmer basket helps catch very small particles.

Another thing you can invest in is an automatic pool cleaner. While this won’t totally replace the need for you to scrub the sides of your pool or skim it, it will mean you spend less time on the task. You need to ensure your automatic pool cleaner reaches every area of your pool, and this includes the walls.

Pool maintenance guide - Cleaning your pool

Pool Maintenance Supplies

Depending on the pool type, there are a few supplies you can use to help with your pool maintenance routine. They’ll help you control the bacteria and algae while keeping your water clear. These supplies include:

  • Shock – Pool shock is a chemical that oxidises organic water contaminants like algae and bacteria, destroying them. These are powerful sanitisers that you want to use either after heavy pool usage or in the beginning of the season. Most pool shock requires you to stay out of the water for 12 to 24 hours after use.
  • Sanitisers – Chlorine is a popular pool sanitiser, but it has a strong smell that many people find unappealing. Bromine is another sanitising chemical that helps clear out any bacteria and keep your water clear between uses. There are also natural or enzyme-based sanitisers available, and some people like to use salt pools for this reason.
  • Balancing Chemicals and Stabilisers – Adding and monitoring water balancing chemicals are essential parts of pool maintenance. Evaporation, sunlight, rain and the presence of oils can all throw off your pool’s chemical levels. You’ll need a test kit to monitor them, and you should test your levels at least once a week. A water conditioner (stabiliser) can protect and extend the life of your water chemicals to save you money.
  • Algaecides – Algaecides destroy any algae in your pool and prevent build-up on your pool walls. Algae can clog your filter system and cause your water to look cloudy if you don’t keep up with it, and it thrives in warm water. You can find affordable algaecides that are safe to add to your pool, and they not only eliminate algae, but they prevent it from coming back for good.
  • Stain Prevention and Removal – Water lines and stains can discolour the sides of your pool and be difficult to remove. Stain prevention and pool stain removal chemicals can get rid of these unsightly stains. These stains come from metals like silver, iron, copper, lead, cobalt, and manganese in the water, minerals that can cause scaling on your pool walls. However, applying stain remover will strip them away, and stain prevention chemicals will stop them from coming back.
  • Chemical Kit – You have to keep track of an alter a range of chemicals in your pool water to keep your pool looking its best. The easiest way to do this is to buy a pool chemical test kit. This kit will come with several vials and test strips. You fill the vials with pool water and compare the colors to the chart. This will tell you whether or not you have to adjust your chemicals.

Compass Pools Can Help You Design and Install Your Dream Pool

Are you ready to add your dream pool to your yard? Perhaps you have questions about the installation process or maintenance? Either way, we want to help. Find our nearest dealership and drop by to talk to one of their professional staff today!

Compass Customers Love Their Self-Cleaning Pools

Learn why it’s so much easier to maintain your pool if you opt in for the Vantage self-cleaning pool system, unique to Compass Pools!
More about the Compass self-cleaning pool

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6 Useful Tips for a Clean Pool https://www.compasspools.com.au/news/6-tips-for-clean-pool/ https://www.compasspools.com.au/news/6-tips-for-clean-pool/#respond Fri, 06 Mar 2020 08:03:12 +0000 https://www.compasspools.com.au/?p=20613 Many people dream of having a pool, but pool cleaning can be a hassle. Keeping a clean pool through the heat of the Australian summer months can be challenging, especially if this is your first year of pool ownership. However, we have several tips to help you keep your pool sparkling clean and ready to use whenever you like.

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Many people dream of having a pool, but pool cleaning can be a hassle. Keeping a clean pool through the heat of the Australian summer months can be challenging, especially if this is your first year of pool ownership. However, we have several tips to help you keep your pool sparkling clean and ready to use whenever you like. It doesn’t matter what size your pool is, you have options, and we’ll outline them for you below.

Tips for a Clean Swimming Pool

1. Understand and Monitor Your Pool’s Chemical Levels

Understanding and testing your pool’s chemical levels are two of the biggest keys to maintaining a clean pool. Water that has a chemical imbalance can look murky, can open the door for bacteria to breed and can irritate your skin and eyes, negatively impacting your eye health. Ideally, you want to get into the habit of testing your pool water at least once every week in the swimming season or monthly outside it. There are many different things you want to test for and manage, the main five indicators are:

  • Acidity or Alkalinity – The pH of your pool tells you how acidic or alkaline your pool water is. Your pool water should be basically neutral, but very slightly alkaline to keep you safe and to activate the chlorine. You should keep the pH of the pool water between 7.2 and 7.6 ppm (parts per million). This range will prevent skin or eye irritation and save your pool equipment from corrosion. Don’t exceed this level, as a higher pH will reduce your chlorine’s activity level.
  • Calcium Hardness – Keep your pool’s calcium levels between 175 ppm and 225 ppm.
  • Cyanuric Acid – This acid protects the chlorine in your pool from sunlight, and determines the required free chlorine level in the water. For outdoor pools, an ideal value is 50ppm. This is sometimes referred to as the ‘sunscreen’ that helps protect the chlorine.
  • Chlorine – Chlorine is a sanitiser that keeps your pool water free of germs and safe from bacteria growth. The levels should range between 1 ppm and 3 ppm; ideally stay in the range between 1 ppm and 2 ppm.
  • Total Alkalinity – The total alkalinity keeps your pool’s pH level balanced. Your levels should fall between 100 ppm and 150 ppm.

For more water chemistry indicators please refer to our guide to swimming pool maintenance for beginners.

Disclaimer: The values shown above are recommended for Compass Pools owners; if you have a fibreglass pool from another manufacturer or a completely different pool, refer to your pool builder or local pool shop to avoid potential damage to your pool):

Testing your pool water once a week is easy. When your pool is handed over you will be given test strips and a 4 in 1 test kit. Some customers like the simple strips. You can buy kits from any pool shop and they also provide a free sample jar with your pool’s water that you can take water there to have it tested.  A 4 in 1 test kit is where you add the solution from the kit and close the vials.

The vials will change colour after a few seconds. Look at these vials and compare them to your testing kit chart. This will tell you your pool’s current chemical levels. If some are off, you can adjust them to get an optimal balance. A pool with good chemical levels will have no scent, look clear, and leave little to no residue.

Pool water chemistry balance for a clean pool

2. Monitor the Water Levels

The physical water level is very important to your pool water chemistry. Water evaporates from wind and sun, the kids splash it out when they play, or a heavy rainfall can cause the levels to swell. The goal is to keep your water level halfway up your skimmer’s opening. If the water drops too low, you can add water via a hose.

If the water level rises too high the most practical way is to make the most of the water and give your filter (assuming you have a sand filter) a good back wash. (see point 6). If you have a cartridge filter you will have a 3 way valve that will most likely be connected to your sewer point and you can drop the water level down using this method. Heavy rains or lots of topping up due to splash out can affect the pool chemistry level.  The balanced chemicals get diluted so you will notice this when you check the balance. Fluctuations in the water levels can throw them off balance.

3. Choose a Self-Cleaning Pool System

Did you know you can buy pools that have self-cleaning options available? These are perfect for those busy pool owners who don’t have the time to dedicate to maintaining a perfectly clear pool. For example, the Vantage Pool Cleaning System will circulate the water from the bottom to the top of the pool to help remove any debris or dirty water.

So why do customers with self-cleaning pools still claim they have to do very little when they still have to have the same chemical balance as any other pool?  The biggest benefit of this system is that the water is turned over through the filtration system and salt chlorinator (or another sanitising unit) so much quicker than a traditional eyeball suction pool.  The water is cleaner and thus, the balanced chemicals do not need to work as hard (hence then be replaced).  The clean water (just from the filter) and correct chlorine level is returned through the heads in the radius of the pool and circulated from the floor upwards.

You still need to check and balance your water, but you will need to adjust it a lot less.  Also, there will be no organic build up (i.e. leaves) so the water balance is not working as hard.

Fibreglass pools and vinyl-liner pools also use less chemicals as the walls are smooth.

The Vantage Pool Cleaning System, own to Compass Pools, doesn’t leave any hidden areas where algae or bacteria can take hold and grow. You are only balancing the water for the pool water only (not trying to manage the water so it can protect the vessel that it is being held within).

4. Schedule a Service Appointment Once a Year

Sometimes, it pays to trust an expert. When it comes to your pool’s mechanical equipment, this is especially true. Think of your heating systems, pumps, and filters. If you don’t know how to care for them year-round, it pays to have a professional come out once a year to ensure they’re in excellent working order, and fit to keep your pool clean. Just like a car, all equipment, valves, orings need to be lubricated, cleaned and checked.  All pumps have Orings that need lubricating.

Before this expert shows up, give your pool a once-over. Have the filters been keeping up with the demands of keeping the pool clean? Maybe you noticed an odd sound or something isn’t working correctly? Mention this to the technician so they’ll have an idea where to start or take a photo of any error message or video anything that has happened. You can use this opportunity to have them go over the equipment with you as a refresher.

Keeping your pool clean requires work and service

5. Clean Your Pool’s Cartridge Filters & Routinely Backwash Your Sand Filter System

Your pool’s filter system is a key component to keeping your pool clean as it removes microscopic debris and dirt. Backwashing the filter is one way to ensure that every aspect of it is clean and working at peak levels to keep your water clear.

Every pool will have a filter system, and it helps to think of these filters as your pool’s kidneys. They function to remove impurities from the water like leaves, dirt, algae, and bacteria just like your kidneys remove impurities from your body. To keep them in top shape, you have to routinely clean them or flush them out. If you imagine your house vacuum cleaner – when it gets full it does not suck as well.  This is the same with your filter.  When it is full (from all the small impurities from the water) then water can not pass through the filter hence it does not suck as well.

There are 2 main types:  Sand and cartridge.

Sand:  You will need to a regular backwash. As a minimum once a month but depending on the wind load and pool use sometimes you need to fortnightly.   The sand filter is so easy to clean as you just need to turn some valves to clean it and it usually only takes around 5 minutes.  You must follow the ‘backwash’ procedure and remember do not turn the Multi Port Valve on top of your filter whist the pump is on.

Backwashing is when the water flows through your filter system in the opposite direction to that which it normally does. If your pool water looks cloudy, it’s time to backwash the system. You can avoid the pool water turning cloudy by making a mental note of your pool’s normal pressure gauge reading. Once it reaches five to seven pounds per square inch (PPI) above the normal level, backwash it. You should keep the water running until it starts to run clear. When it does, you can set your filter system to run the normal way.

Cartridge:  Depending on the size cartridge will depend on how often these need to be cleaned.  The actual cartridge(s) will need to be physically removed and pressure cleaned.

Pool cleaning 101 - Backwashing your pool filtration system

6. Clean the Lint Pot

Every few weeks, take a few minutes and clean out the lint pot. You’ll find this pot installed just on the inside of your swimming pool pump’s clear glass screen. Turn off the pool pump and release the system pressure before opening the pump. Ideally, you want to clean this area out every few weeks, or as needed. If your pool area is prone to accumulating debris, you’ll need to clean the pump out more often.

Baskets: Your pool will have baskets that will need to be emptied. Skimmer box basket (this is poolside and will collect all the leaves that get skimmed from the top of the pool water). You need to check these regularly as if these are full once again your filter will be working harder trying to suck the water.

Infloor: Infloor cleaning systems also have a separate basket that needs to emptied.

Mechanical cleaners (many of these have inline canisters that also need to be emptied and cleaned).

Pumps: All pumps come with a ‘hair and lint’ pot and these can collect leaves & debris that gets past the other baskets.  They come with a clear lid so you can keep an eye on these and empty them if you see leaves in them.

To begin with, you might do this weekly. however. once you have owned your pool for a while. you will get to know what the loading is like on the pool.  i.e. high winds, the autumn time you will know when you have to check it more regularly than not.

Most Pools Are Salt Pools

If you have a saltwater pool you will find this the easiest way to manage the chlorine demand of a swimming pool.  This can be magnesium salt or sodium salt but all salt pools are chlorine.  The salt gets charged into chlorine.  The reason they are much easier is that the machine produces the right level of chlorine and you do not have the highs and lows that you experience with public pools. It also means you don’t need to buy, handle or store the chlorine. Do not add too much salt because your salt systems can push the pH levels up artificially, which will mean you’ll need more acid.

What Happens to Your Pool in Winter

Most pools require less maintenance during winter than summer as the sun doesn’t use up the chlorine in the winter months.  So many customers find that they continue running their pool all year round,

If your pool stays outdoors all year round, winterising it correctly is crucial. No one wants to pull the cover back on their pool in the spring to find out that the water contains dangerous bacteria or nasty algae slime, or that the pool itself has a leak. Taking steps to learn how to winterise your pool properly can save you thousands of dollars and hours of time next season.

To start, buy a water testing kit before you close the pool down for the season. Use the kit to check that all of your pool chemicals are within the right ranges. Blow out any water left in your pool’s plumbing lines next. This will prevent damage to the lines. Finally, invest in a cover to keep any debris out of the pool.

How to Tell if You’re Successful in Keeping Your Pool Clean

When you monitor your pool, how do you know if it’s clean or not? What areas or pool systems do you have to keep an eye on? Again, this may be common sense to some people but it can be overwhelming to new pool owners. Our short checklist will help keep you on track.

  • Do you smell any abnormal odours when you go around your pool? A heavy smell of chemicals or chlorine tells you that you should test your water. If the water has a nasty smell, this could be due to bacterial or algae growth starting to take hold.
  • Is the drain clear? If your pool’s drainage system isn’t clear and free of debris, it won’t be able to cycle water through it. Double-check that there’s nothing blocking it.
  • How is your water clarity? The water should be crystal clear, and you should be able to see the bottom of your pool without a problem.
  • If you have an in-floor cleaning system, is it working like it should? You shouldn’t see any dirt or debris. If you do, your system may have clogs or have a problem that prevents it from working.
  • How strong are the returns on your sidewall? You should be able to feel them. If they’re too weak, you need to clean your filter system.

Get a Pool that Cleans Itself from Compass Pools

If you’re in the market for a new pool, Compass Pools is here to help. Opt-in for our self-cleaning pool, save time and money on pool maintenance and most importantly, enjoy your sparkling clean new swimming pool every day! Our professionals will guide you through the process of selecting the best filtration and cleaning system for your new pool. Locate a dealership and drop by or contact your selected authorised Compass pool dealer online today!

Compass Customers Love Their Self-Cleaning Pools

Learn why it’s so much easier to keep your pool clean if you opt in for the Vantage self-cleaning pool system, unique to Compass Pools!
More about the Compass self-cleaning pool

Compass Customers Love Their Self-Cleaning Pools

Learn why it’s so much easier to keep your pool clean if you opt in for the Vantage self-cleaning pool system, unique to Compass Pools!
More about the Compass self-cleaning pool

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Why you should think like a pool owner when buying a swimming pool https://www.compasspools.com.au/101/think-like-a-pool-owner-when-buying-a-swimming-pool/ Fri, 08 Nov 2019 17:57:24 +0000 https://www.compasspools.com.au/?p=20393 Buying a swimming pool can be a really exciting experience, but if you want to be sure that you remain happy with your choices for years to come, it pays to put yourself in the shoes of a pool owner rather than a pool buyer. When buying a swimming pool there are natural and obvious things to think about. Careful consideration should go into important aspects like shape, size, colour, location ...

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Buying a swimming pool can be a really exciting experience, but if you want to be sure that you remain happy with your choices for years to come, it pays to put yourself in the shoes of a pool owner rather than a pool buyer.

What to consider when buying a swimming pool

When buying a swimming pool there are natural and obvious things to think about. Careful consideration should go into important aspects like:

  • Shape
  • Size
  • Colour
  • Location in backyard
  • Salt vs Chlorine
  • Lighting
  • Price

Although these seem like the most important considerations, truth be told, these factors become less important to you once the pool is in the ground and the novelty has worn off.

Ask any pool owner who has an inkling of dissatisfaction with and they usually say things like:

  • “We don’t use it as much as we would have liked”
  • “The kids never clean it so it’s just another job for me”
  • “It costs more than I thought it would to run”
  • “We’ve had to do a bit more pool maintenance than we’d like”
  • “It doesn’t look as good as it used to”

In other words; what matters to you most once the pool is in the ground, is often different to what matters to you most when you are choosing which pool to buy.

Make your swimming pool always look shiny with the right choices

With that said, here’s a few things you might like to think about when weighing up your options:

What does life look like for you as a pool owner?

Most of the people we talk to, tell us that their dream of having a pool looks like enjoying fun and relaxing times with friends and family. In fact, the picture people most often describe is resort style living at home. Before making your choice, it’s a good idea to get an understanding of what time,effort and cost might be required from you from a pool maintenance point of view.

If you find yourself having to regularly clean your pool, or prepare it for swimming before jumping in each time, will you end up using it less than you envisaged?

This is where a self-cleaning system like Vantage can come in handy. The pool is always clean. There is almost no need to manually vacuum. There’s no mucking about with pool cleaners and you never have to do any work before you swim!

What will you really be using the pool for?

Spend some time considering what you’ll use the pool for. Is it exercise, casual relaxing swims, or fun and games? Knowing how you’ll spend your time in the pool will help you chose the right shape and will go a long way to ensuring you use the pool more!

Swimming laps or relaxing how will you use your pool as a pool owner

How important is it that running costs and pool maintenance costs are kept low?

The ongoing costs associated with running your pool can become a bug-bear for some people – the good news is that if you think about it during the process of buying a swimming pool you can make choices that keep your pool maintenance and running costs to an absolute minimum.

There tend to be three cost centres when it comes to swimming pool ownership:

  1. Electricity to run your pumps/filtration equipment (and heating systems if applicable)
  2. Chemicals to keep your pool water balanced and safe to swim in
  3. Maintenance to keep your pool looking like new

Arguably, the most important factor that influences the above cost centres is pool filtration. Put simply, the better your circulation system, the less it costs to run your pool.

When a pool is fully circulated from top to bottom, you do not experience stratification of the water (this is where you get a layer of warm water at the top and colder water beneath). Instead, all water is properly mixed meaning the warmer surface water is mixed with the colder deep water and bug cleaning agents are thoroughly mixed throughout the pool. Highly circulated pools have a more even water temperature, use less chemicals and lose less heat. The Compass Vantage system, for example, reduces chemical consumption by approximately half of what you would expect to use on a standard eyeball and skimmer (traditional) pool filtration system.

Another good way to reduce ongoing pool running costs is to consider the equipment you use on your pool. These days pool management equipment is more advanced than ever.

Energy efficient pumps can dramatically cut electricity consumption, but it is important that you remember these pumps run at lower speeds and can compromise circulation. If you opt for an energy efficient pump you should always couple it with an enhanced circulation and pool filtration system. This will help to ensure that you keep costs low without compromising water quality.

Smart chemical dosing systems also help to reduce the time and cost involved with looking after a pool. Salt chlorinators, pH monitoring systems and automated chlorine feeders can take away the leg work and ensure your pool maintains the right chemical balance.

Another thing to consider in this regard, is the quality of your equipment. If you end up with under-spec’d gear, then everything becomes harder to manage. If your pumps are too small or your filter is inadequate, then your pool will be at higher risk of going green which will cost you more in the long run. Similarly, cheap gear might save you money now, but if you are constantly repairing or replacing equipment you will have regrets!

And on the topic of long-term maintenance; make sure you do your homework. Concrete and Vinyl liner pools tend to require regular maintenance like re-surfacing and re-lining. Most fibreglass pools require very little maintenance other than simple cleaning and water balance management.

Consider self cleaning pool to minimise pool maintenance cost and effort

What will your pool be like 2, 5 even 10 years from now?

One thing we like to remind people of, is that we actually spend more time looking at our pools than we do swimming in them! Your pool will become a major visual feature of your home and it should be enjoyed year-round.

All pools look great at the beginning of their lifetime, but not all will stand the test of time. It pays to do some research so that you can satisfy yourself that what you buy today will still look great well into the future.

Ask about cosmetic and structural warranties and then look for product reviews to ensure you are buying a quality product. Did you know that every single Compass Pool is made with strict quality control conditions to ensure we can offer a pool that lasts a lifetime?

Each and every pool is allocated a unique number tracked throughout the build process right down to the tiniest detail. This helps us ensure that every pool that leaves the factory will perform as we promise!

Will your pool be attractive to the next owners when you sell your home?

It always pays to consider how your pool will impact on the sale of your home when the time comes to move on. The more a potential buyer sees the pool as an asset (and not a liability) the better the chances of your pool contributing to a higher sale price.

Here’s some tips to ensure your pool is attractive to the next people:

  1. Consider how they will use it – choose a size and shape that appeals to the masses.
  2. Keep running costs low – the cheaper a pool is to run the more people like it.
  3. Take the hard work away – the less time and energy the pool requires the happier people feel about owning it.
  4. Remove the risk – look for a pool with solid warranties that can be passed on to the new owners!

Thinking like a pool owner enables you select a pool that will look great in years to come

Summary

To sum up I’ll leave you with this thought:

The average pool buyer ends up having their pool for 10 years (120 months). The process of buying and installing a swimming pool takes up only a few of those months. Yes, you have to get the basic obvious stuff right. But if you really want to maximise the value of your pool and be totally satisfied that you have made the right choice you need to think about the factors that will impact your enjoyment for the remaining  months after you buy the pool!

If you would like some guidance through the decision-making process, then get in touch with your local Compass Pools dealer. Our pool consultants can take a look at your backyard and then sit with you and discuss what is really important to you. They will then make recommendations so that you end up with a setup that is right for you. The best part is that it is free and there is absolutely no obligation or expectation for you to buy a pool…so why wouldn’t you?

How Much would YOUR POOL Cost?

Plunge pool, family pool or a lap pool? Fill in your details to find out how much a Compass Pool would cost at your place. No obligations!

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Ideal Pools: how to select the right design for you? https://www.compasspools.com.au/news/ideal-pools-how-to-select-the-right-design-for-you/ https://www.compasspools.com.au/news/ideal-pools-how-to-select-the-right-design-for-you/#respond Sun, 03 Feb 2019 04:59:01 +0000 https://www.compasspools.com.au/?p=19298 What makes an ideal pool? The answer will be different for everyone. But this is a question you must ask yourself when you decide to purchase a swimming pool. A pool is a large investment which will have to meet your needs for many years into the future, so choosing the right pool is absolutely…

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What makes an ideal pool? The answer will be different for everyone. But this is a question you must ask yourself when you decide to purchase a swimming pool. A pool is a large investment which will have to meet your needs for many years into the future, so choosing the right pool is absolutely essential.

Here are some handy tips on how to select the best pool for you, ensuring that you make an informed choice and invest in a pool which will continue to make you happy for years to come.

1. How will your pool be used?

Usage patterns of your pool

People use their swimming pools in many different ways, so the right pool will depend on your usage needs. Those who are serious about their swimming will probably find that a lap pool offers the most advantages, as these long, narrow pools are designed to offer a clear corridor of water with no obstacles or design features to get in the way. This shape is ideal for swimming laps and improving your health and fitness.

Large swimming pools are usually the best pools for families. Your kids may be small now, but they will quickly grow, and your pool needs to offer enough space for all of you to swim together and enjoy quality time by playing games in the water. You also need to think ahead to when the kids become teenagers. This is the time when they are likely to want to invite their friends over for pool parties, so it makes sense to invest in a pool which can accommodate this, enabling all of you to enjoy the range of social benefits that a backyard swimming pool can bring.

However, if you intend to use your pool primarily for relaxation, the ideal pools are usually plunge or courtyard pools. These are designed in more compact sizes, so they offer less length and width, but the depth is increased. This way, you can completely immerse yourself in the peace of the water, enjoying total relaxation and rejuvenation in the comfort of your own backyard.

2. How will it fit into your backyard?

Fit your swimming pool into the backyard

You need to look carefully at the size and shape of your backyard when choosing the right pool. If your outdoor space is particularly large, this is less of a concern, as any pool will fit into the space. However, you do have to ensure that the design of the pool suits the architecture of your home, and that it can be positioned so it looks beautiful from all angles, including when viewed through the windows from inside your home.

When working out how much space your pool will need, you must remember that it has to comply with safety regulations. Your pool must be fenced on all sides, with no direct access from your house. There also needs to be a “non-climbable zone” of at least 90mm on all sides, where no large objects such as garden furniture are placed, so children cannot use them to climb over the pool fence.

If your backyard slopes or is an awkward shape, you should think about choosing a pool which can safely be built partially or even fully above-ground. This means that you can still get the most usage out of your backyard space while still being able to enjoy a strong, safe swimming pool. Sloping sites also lend themselves well to infinity pools, so this is something you might want to consider. These luxurious pools have a “disappearing edge”, enabling you to enjoy beautiful views over your surroundings as you swim, and really lose yourself in the outdoor environment.

3. How much control do you want over the design?

Control pool swimming pool design

The best pools are those which suit your tastes and blend well with the style of your home. Creating a cohesive look gives your entire property a more stylish and sophisticated effect which will appeal to home buyers and increase the value of your property. This is another factor to consider when deciding how to select the best pool.

If you have a complete vision in your head of how you want your finished pool to look, and it cannot be matched by any of the designs you have seen, you should probably choose a concrete pool. These can be created in any style you choose, so no matter how unusual your pool concept, there is a high chance that it can be accommodated by a good pool builder.

However, if you are not a designer and you would prefer to find a more generic solution which can easily be tailored to match your tastes, you would probably be more suited to a fibreglass pool. These are prefabricated solutions which are manufactured in a wide range of sizes and designs, so it is easy to find a style which suits your property. These can be customised with different pool colours and lighting options, so your pool will still have an element of originality.

4. What is your budget?

Swimming pool budget 1

This is one of the most important things to consider when choosing the right pool. For a pool to be the best choice, you have to be able to afford it. This is why you need to sit down and work out a detailed budget before you take the project any further, as this will determine the pool options which are available to you.

At the cheapest end of the market you will find vinyl-liner pools. These can have very attractive price tags, but the reality is that the linings can easily be torn or damaged with regular use of the pool, so you can end up facing considerable bills for repairs. In addition, the lining will need to be completely replaced approximately every five years, at a cost which will add up to a significant amount over the lifetime of your pool.

Fibreglass pools sit in the middle of the market. Many pool owners consider these the best option, as they are affordable, yet still offer the strength and build quality of a concrete pool. Compass Pools, for example, make fibreglass pools with ceramic cores, so they are designed to withstand even the heaviest usage, as well as the demands of the climate and even extreme natural events such as earthquakes.

Concrete pools are the most expensive options. This is because they have to be built completely from scratch in your backyard, unlike vinyl-liner or fibreglass pools, which are prefabricated and then simply transported to your site. Due to the amount of work involved in creating a concrete pool, it can take weeks or months to build, so the labour costs are considerable. Concrete pools also need tiling or cladding once they are built, which adds extra time and cost to the project. However, concrete pools are extremely strong and durable, so your pool will be built to last a lifetime.

5. How much time can you spend on pool maintenance?

Time to do the pool maintenance

Swimming pools can be time-consuming to maintain. We are all looking for ideal pools which require very little maintenance, but the time you will have to spend caring for your pool depends on the type of pool you choose.

In many ways, vinyl-liner pools are the most high-maintenance, as the linings are not strong enough to withstand heavy use. This means you will have to learn to be adept at spotting wear and tear, and check it regularly if you want your pool to remain safe and healthy in the long term.

Concrete pools also require considerable maintenance. This is because concrete is a porous material, so it provides an ideal breeding ground for algae and bacteria. Because of this, you will have to ensure your pool is cleaned regularly and thoroughly to ensure it stays hygienic and safe to swim in. Additionally, concrete pools can require retiling or repainting once or more during their lifetimes, which is a significant job.

Fibreglass pools are the easiest to maintain. They have smooth, non-porous surfaces which are resistant to algae and bacteria, so they require less time and less chemicals to keep clean. This benefit is enhanced still further by technology like the Vantage self-cleaning system from Compass Pools, which drastically cuts down on the amount of time you will need to spend cleaning and maintaining your pool.

Find out more about ideal pools

If you are still having trouble deciding how to select the best pool, Compass Pools is happy to help. Our specialist team can provide you with all the advice you need, ensuring you can find the perfect pool for you. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.

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Circulation: the key to an easy pool! https://www.compasspools.com.au/101/circulation-key-to-easy-pool/ Mon, 08 Jan 2018 06:04:26 +0000 https://www.compasspools.com.au/?p=17184 I’m not sure about you, but the appeal of having my own swimming pool arises from the idea of having my own backyard oasis – resort-style living at home. I picture sunshine, fun-times, and pure relaxation. What doesn’t immediately spring to mind is the weekly (sometimes daily) tasks that go hand in hand with keeping pool water clean, healthy, and safe to swim in. A big part of having a healthy swimming pool (that doesn’t go green and doesn’t give you sore ears ...

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Keeping the Pool Clean and Healthy with Proper Water CirculationI’m not sure about you, but the appeal of having my own swimming pool arises from the idea of having my own backyard oasis – resort-style living at home. I picture sunshine, fun-times, and pure relaxation. What doesn’t immediately spring to mind is the weekly (sometimes daily) tasks that go hand in hand with keeping pool water clean, healthy, and safe to swim in.

A big part of having a healthy pool (that doesn’t go green and doesn’t give you sore ears after swimming) comes down to how well the water is circulated and filtered throughout the day. Unfortunately, maximising circulation is something that is often overlooked by salespeople and customers alike during the initial pool planning and set-up phases.

To put it simply, a well-planned circulation system can be the difference between a pool that you love to own and a pool that risks becoming just another household chore to look after. If you stop and think about it, if water is moving regularly it tends to be healthier. If a stream loses its ability to flow it quickly becomes stagnant. It’s the same with pool water.

Experts (and Aus/NZ pool standards for that matter) suggest that the entire volume of water within your pool needs to be pumped out, filtered, sanitised, and then returned to your pool at least once every single day. Traditionally circulated pools certainly have the ability to move this much water, but the problem is they tend to only move a small portion of the water over and over again.

A traditional pool is run using what is known as an eye-ball and skimmer system. Essentially, a skimmer box removes surface water using a pump. That water is then pushed through a filter and then returned to the pool through jets on the wall opposite the skimmer. These jets or ‘eyeballs’ are typically located in the top 1-2ft of water.

Circulation for Clean and Healthy Pool - Traditional Pool

It doesn’t take much imagination to see that the top 1-2ft of water moves regularly while the deeper parts of the pool are left to sit still- a perfect breeding ground for algae and bacteria!

If you want your pool water to be as healthy as possible you should really consider ways to ensure bottom-to-top circulation. Again, the more the water moves, the harder it becomes for algae and bacteria to grow.

It’s this knowledge which has helped shape the way we build pools. Compass customers get the choice of two additional revolutionary circulation systems. Our most popular option (vantage) is well known as the ‘self-cleaning pool’ option, but arguably the best benefit is its ability to dramatically improve pool water circulation. Vantage removes water from the pool floor using a special ‘main drain’ and returns water through a series of perfectly-timed, fully-automated jets on the pool floor too. This ensures that a huge amount of movement occurs in the depths of the pool while the eyeball and skimmer system moves the top!

Vantage has been shown to reduce chemical inputs, increase heat-pump efficiency, maximise distribution of sanitising pool chemicals and let’s not forget that it also cleans your pool at the same time. So, as well as saving on operating costs you also get to eliminate the needs for expensive pool cleaning equipment and you don’t have to lift a finger to keep your pool looking tidy!

Circulation for Clean and Healthy Pool - Swimming Pool with Vantage

The Compass Logic™ system offers another great alternative to traditional circulation (the standard eyeball and skimmer approach). Logic works on similar principles to Vantage in the sense that it focuses on creating circulation in the depths of the pool (which is typically a problem area for most pools).

We start by removing water from the deep end of the pool using two drains which are strategically placed 2/3rds down the pool wall. We then return the water using special swing jets which are designed to push freshly-filtered water toward the bottom of the pool. The swing jets also change direction each time they switch on working to maximise chemical distribution, evenly spread warm water which has been heated by the sun, and move water in as much of the pool as possible.

The Logic™ system can even be enhanced to create a dramatic reduction in power consumption. These days it’s common for people to use ‘energy efficient pumps’. In simple terms an energy efficient pump runs at high speed for a short period of time and then shifts back a gear to run at low speeds for most of your filtration cycle. The problem with this when you have a traditional pool is that when running at low speeds your low-flow pump further reduces water mixing and movement in your pool.

To combat this issue we use a supercharged skimmer unit which requires little-to-no suction from the pool pump. Then we re-direct pump suction to focus mainly on the wall drains. This means we can fit an energy efficient pump to the pool set-up without sacrificing and water movement. Using an energy efficient pump in this way will mean you can dramatically cut power (to the tune over $600 per year) without worrying about your pool turning green.

When it comes to owning a pool, much of the effort that is required comes from the need to keep your water balanced, clean and healthy to swim in. The question is how does that fit into your dream of being a pool owner. With the correct set-up from the get-go you can make life much easier.

How Much would YOUR POOL Cost?

Plunge pool, family pool or a lap pool? Fill in your details to find out how much a Compass Pool would cost at your place. No obligations!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

More Pool 101 Articles

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Is buying a swimming pool a good investment? https://www.compasspools.com.au/101/is-buying-a-swimming-pool-a-good-investment/ Mon, 06 Mar 2017 01:10:29 +0000 http://www.compasspools.com.au/?p=13689 Having a backyard pool can dramatically change your life at home for the better! Many families report that their swimming pool provides countless hours of entertainment for children (keeping active and away from screen time!), increases the amount of quality family time and can be used to boost fitness. Unlike spending money on a holiday, a swimming pool allows you to have resort-style living all summer long ...

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One thing that is often top of mind when buying a swimming pool is “will this be a good investment”. Naturally, when making improvements to your home, you want to ensure that you are being wise with the money you are spending.

The answer as to whether your pool will turn out to be a good purchase needs to be looked at from a few different angles.

A Swimming Pool will provide years of enjoyment, entertainment and health benefits to your family


Pool Adding Value to Your Home

Having a backyard pool can dramatically change your life at home for the better! Many families report that their swimming pool provides countless hours of entertainment for children (keeping active and away from screen time!), increases the amount of quality family time and can be used to boost fitness. Unlike spending money on a holiday, a swimming pool allows you to have resort-style living all summer long, every year!

If well-planned, a pool can add significant value to your home too

There tend to be two types of buyers in the housing market. The first group are the people who see a swimming pool in the backyard, and immediately see the house as a better option for them, thus a pool increases the perceived value of the property for this group of people.

The other group can see a swimming pool and wonder if it will be costly to run and take up too much time to keep clean and maintain. So it is essential that when buying a pool you investigate ways to make it appeal to as many people as possible.

A few simple considerations at the beginning of your pool buying process can make the world of difference when it comes to making sure your pool adds value to your home when the time comes to sell.

Here’s a few tips to help ensure your pool will add value to your home:

1. Consider location carefully

Take some time to think about the best area to place your pool. Be sure to think about sunshine, wind, proximity to the house, noise and aesthetics. Swimming pools are a great centrepiece of the backyard; in fact, you spend more time looking at them than you do swimming in them. The more appealing the pool looks from your living spaces, the better!

2. Choose your pool shape wisely

Like most things, pool shapes go in and out of fashion. For example in the 90’s kidney shaped pools were very common, but these days very few people buy them.  If you are thinking about future on-sale value it pays to choose shapes that have stood the test of time. Rectangular pools and pools with straight edges like the X-Trainer swimming pool and Vogue pool models have always remained best sellers because they seem to work in with most people’s tastes. Our Vogue swimming pool is a popular family pool.

3. Think carefully about depth

People often tell us they want their pool to be “as deep as possible” which is why we encourage you to think carefully about what depth will suit you best. Most people tend to enjoy their pool by standing and playing rather than actually swimming. This is one of the reasons we make the majority of our pools running shallow to deep; that way each pool model caters to people of different heights and abilities. Further to this, every model has a safety ledge running around the perimeter of the pool to allow a safe place to stand and rest.

4. Minimise effort

One of the things that can potentially scare people off swimming pools is the thought of having to look after it on a daily basis. It pays to think about the different things you can do to make your pool as “hands-free” as possible. In an ideal world, people want to be able to use their pool whenever they want with little preparation. These days swimming pools can be set up to be virtually hands-free. Our Vantage in-floor cleaning system ensures your water is properly circulated and that all debris is regularly removed from your pool without the need for manual cleaning or automatic vacuums. Our customers regularly report to us that this system has made their pool, and home easier to sell when on the market. It is one of the features you should go for when looking for “the best pool” that you’ll love. Integrated pool management systems can also be added to your pool. These essentially manage the day to day water chemistry in your swimming pool – all of the seemingly daunting work can now be managed by one simple machine.

5. Think about energy savings

The less your pool costs to run the better it is for you and the more attractive it will be to future buyers. Ask your pool consultant to walk you through the different options to help reduce power consumption. These days’ energy efficient pumps are very popular and come recommended by most pool dealers. But beware; when operating in reduced-flow mode you may find that your pool experiences a significant reduction in circulation quality. This often means you will end up spending more money trying to keep your pool water clean and healthy. The most effective way to have a low-energy pool is to mix energy efficient equipment with a circulation method that ensures maximum mixing water. Traditional circulation systems tend to only move/mix the top 2ft of water in your pool leaving the deeper water to become the perfect breeding ground for algae and bacteria.  Talk to us about the two different ways you can boost circulation, save energy and have healthier water in your pool.

One of the FREE services that all Compass Pools dealers offer is an onsite pool consultation. These meetings usually take 1-2 hours and are designed to help you get answers to all the important questions before investing in a pool.

Here’s a few of the questions we can help with on the day:

  • Where is the best spot to put a pool?
  • What size pool is ideal for my family?
  • What shapes will work best for my backyard and budget?
  • What can be done to reduce ongoing maintenance work?
  • What can be done to reduce the power my pool will use?

Call us today on 1300 667 445 or find your local pool builder now.

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Swimming Pool Myths: Pool Maintenance Requires Hard Work https://www.compasspools.com.au/faq/swimming-pool-care/pool-maintenance/ Thu, 07 May 2015 05:35:12 +0000 http://www.compasspools.com.au/?p=7726 One of the great reasons people choose Compass Pools is we’re often told, our friends told us not to get a pool and that’s why we’ve come to you. That doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, does it? But what that tells us is that they’ve been out and they’ve been heavily influenced by somebody who owns a Compass pool.

It is usually somebody who owns a Compass pool with a Vantage in-floor cleaning and circulation system. Those friends, family or the people they’ve been influenced by have told them, our pool is easy. What people are saying about owning a swimming pool in terms of it being a lot of work or maintenance to do, that can literally disappear. We’d welcome you to come and talk to us about how we can make that happen for you.

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Pool maintenance: Does owning a swimming pool require a lot of hard work?

Video transcription: One of the great reasons people choose Compass Pools is we’re often told, our friends told us not to get a pool and that’s why we’ve come to you. That doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, does it? But what that tells us is that they’ve been out and they’ve been heavily influenced by somebody who owns a Compass pool.

It is usually somebody who owns a Compass pool with a Vantage in-floor cleaning and circulation system. Those friends, family or the people they’ve been influenced by have told them, our pool is easy. What people are saying about owning a swimming pool in terms of it being a lot of work or maintenance to do, that can literally disappear. We’d welcome you to come and talk to us about how we can make that happen for you.

You’ve only got to ask somebody who owns a Compass pool what they think of it. If they own a Vantage in-floor cleaning and circulation system exclusive to Compass, wow you’re going to get a very different story about the ownership of a swimming pool. It’s great when our customers come to us really understanding how easy and how nice their life can be with a pool that takes them very little effort to look after.

One of the exciting things about working here is I can’t tell you the number of times that somebody has walked in the door or I’ve turned up at somebody’s house and I’ve said, how did you hear about Compass pools? They’ve said, Joe down the road, has one of your pools, he’s had it for eight years and he’s never cleaned it. We hear that a lot. The reason for that is that Compass Pools was the first company in the world to create the world’s first infloor cleaning and circulation system for fibreglass pools.

That’s not something you have to have but it is pretty hard for us to install a pool today without somebody giving it really serious consideration or adding it to their swimming pool. Give one of the team a call today on 1300 667 445.

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