McKenna Pool and Spa Supply

Before and after of a pool in need of a good cleaning after being opened. Pro tip - after cleaning this much debris the pool filter, if sand media, will most likely need to be backwashed. How do you know? An increase in the pressure gauge reading of 7-10lbs. Only backwash when the filter pressure has increased. Despite popular opinion it is entirely possible to vacuum without requiring a backwash which will also help conserve water.

When opening a pool that is green here are some tips to get the pool water back to clean and clear. 1. Start the circulation equipment and keep it operating until the pool is clear (no timers, operate at high speed etc) 2. Lower the pH with dry acid or muriatic acid 3. Oxidize pool using liquid chlorine (other chlorine products take longer and cost more). The amount required will vary but ideally 3-4L of liquid chlorine per 10,000L of water. 4. Brush down the entire pool (wa...lls, floors, slopes) 5. Leave the pool overnight and allow chlorine to kill algae 6. Assuming water has reached relative clarity begin vacuuming. If there is a potential any large objects are in the pool that can clog the vacuum or skimmer line they must be removed with a leaf rake. 7. For a sand media filter the multi-port valve should be set to the ‘waste’ or ‘drain’ position. This will allow all of the debris to leave the pool out of the dedicated ‘backwash line’ as opposed to returning back to the pool. There should be excess water in the pool to make up for the water loss from vacuuming with the filter set to ‘waste’ 8. For a cartridge filter there may be a bypass after the pump which will allow vacuuming to be done without having debris enter cartridges. If it is not possible to bypass the cartridges it may require cleaning the cartridges during the vacuuming process. 9. When vacuuming has been completed the sand filter can be returned to normal ‘filter’ setting. Cartridge filters should be cleaned again after the vacuum process is complete. 10. If a pool turns green in season the above steps can be followed to correct. However all items that may contain algae (floaties, toys, solar blanket) will also need to be cleaned as well. See more

How do you ensure a pool covered with a safety cover is clear when opened as opposed to green? There is no sure fire method but here are some helpful hints: 1. Close the pool late in the season when water temperature is below 60F 2. Clean the pool thoroughly prior to closing. No organic matter (leaves, dirt, bugs etc) at all. 3. Shock/oxidize the pool prior to closing 4. Use a strong winterizing algicide... 5. Open the pool before the water temperature eclipses 60F 6. Replace the safety cover if the material breaks down to the point you can easily see into the pool when the cover is on. See more

Benefit/drawback of working in Niagara some days. Instead of lifting the bridge at 30 degrees and letting the commuter take a healthy run reminiscent of The Duke Boys they prop it up at 90 degrees and make it impassable.

Almost everything that falls into a pool can be vacuumed. There are exceptions. Not going to pretend I can name what these are so I’ll call them ‘pine needles’. What I do know is that they are fine enough to pass through skimmer and pump baskets which allows them to enter the pump impeller. If enough of them get lodged into the channels of the impeller the pump will seem to continue operating normally but will not able able to pull/push water. No short term harm to pump but will not operate normally unless the pump is dismantled and the impeller is cleaned thoroughly. #pooltips