The best ways to maintain and clean swimming pools, an overview of popular vacuum cleaners
Water in swimming pools is polluted by bathers - particles of skin and cosmetics fall out of it. The wind blows dust, leaves, grass. Then the pool water takes on an unsightly appearance, you won't want to swim anymore. Different technologies for purifying water and pool surfaces come to the aid of home tank owners. To purify water, its complete replacement is used, and the side surfaces and bottom of the tank are cleaned in the chosen way: mechanical, chemical, electrophysical.
Why do you need to clean
Cleaning the tank is easy, it is carried out independently or with the help of specialists. The water there must be clear, without the slightest pollution. This ensures the safety of bathers and decorates the yard.Therefore, it is recommended to purify the water every 2-3 days.
Troubled Water
Windblown dust cloud water when bathers do not wash before entering the pool. Water turbidity also occurs after the rest of the big companies. This is corrected by the replacement of water, the mandatory use of filters at the water inlet of the bowl. If the water becomes cloudy due to the appearance of algae, chemical agents are first applied and then the algae are removed mechanically.
Bloom
Water blooms if the seeds of algae from the nearest natural reservoirs - rivers, lakes - enter it with the wind. Blooming algae particles are removed from the water surface by fine-mesh nets. Some homeowners first use chemicals to kill the algae, then remove the sediment manually or with a wet vacuum. However, the use of chemistry is harmful to humans. The brushes of the wet vacuum cleaner remove algae from the walls of the container. Microscopic algae are fought with ultraviolet light, ozonation, for which there are special facilities.
Basic chemicals:
- albucid;
- perhydrol;
- algaecide.
Manufacturers of chemicals for cleaning swimming pools offer different products based on them.
But! It is necessary to use chemistry with caution: it is forbidden to exceed the concentration, which is calculated on the volume of water.
The appearance of rust
Rust buildup occurs if the water in the area is hard, with metallic impurities. In order to protect the water from the appearance of traces of rust, special filters against hard water must be installed at the inlet of the bowl. Two-stage filters are often installed - the first is a coarse filter, the second is a fine filter.If rust appears, it is removed with brushes from the walls of the container, vacuumed from the corners and from below with a special vacuum cleaner.
I
Siltation is similar to flowering, it is important to remove the silt from the walls of the pool, to collect them from the bottom with a vacuum cleaner. The work is done carefully so that silt particles do not remain in the water. Otherwise, their growth and water pollution will continue. When it is not possible to get rid of sludge mechanically, it is recommended to drain the water, clean the bowl with chemical agents.
Technical methods of water purification
For all types of pool bowls, maintenance is a daily responsibility of the owner. Ideally, the bowl and the water should be cleaned at the beginning and end of the bathing season. The cleaning procedure becomes more frequent with active bathing, with the local intensity of winds and rains. Pool cleaning consists of stages: it begins with mechanical cleaning, periodically it is cleaned with ultraviolet light, ozone and silver.
Filters
After mechanical and manual cleaning of the container, it is recommended to refresh the water using special filters. Their types: sand, cartridge and diatoms. Of these, a sand filter is most often used, since it is cheaper than analogues.
Sand
At low cost, sand filters are also inefficient, as they only trap large dirt particles, while small ones pass through freely. These filters should be washed and serviced daily. Such drawbacks reduce the demand for sand filters.
Cartridge
One of the most popular are cartridge filters. They are easy to install, highly resistant to external influences and have good cleaning properties.Their device: a box whose lid can be easily removed. Inside is a bottle with a cartridge that purifies the water. The bottle is equipped with a small plastic bag in which the filtered debris is collected. The advantage of such a cartridge is the delay of the slightest contamination.
The principle of operation of the cartridge: the water passes through the filter through the suction pipe, purified returns to the pool. Cartridges are based on the action of polyphosphate salt, which purifies water. The service life is 3 months to a year, then the cartridge must be replaced with a new one.
Diatoms
The newest device for water purification in the pool - diatom. It's more expensive, but cleans the water better. This equipment is easy to install and maintain on your own, so it is popular with home bathroom owners. Diatom cartridges come in a variety of designs to differentiate the unit. The installation procedure is specified in the user guide.
Land-based diatomaceous earth filters are an innovation in water purification methods. They are filled with diatom shell powder. It is a material that is sensitive to dirt particles down to microns. These filters are cleaned by reverse treatment or with the help of special agents that dissolve the microparticles of dirt inside.
diatom plants
The installations must be connected according to the recommendations in the manual. The diatom systems are equipped with a bracket for mounting in a container. There is a point here: it is necessary that the device be installed at least 10 centimeters from the bottom - this will be needed to replace the cartridges. Immediately after installing the filter, it is connected to the water supply.The water is started in a low stream to check the connections for leaks. In the event of a leak, these areas must be treated with silicone sealant. The filter then starts at full capacity.
Ozonation
One of the methods of water disinfection is ozonation, which has replaced chlorination. Ozone, while purifying water, oxidizes and disinfects it at the same time. When ozone is introduced into water, suspended and colloidal pollution is removed. In the event of severe contamination, a sludge forms in the form of flocs, which are retained by the filters installed in the pool.
Ozone provides bactericidal and antiviral treatment of water, which receives a quality that meets the strictest sanitary standards recommended by SanPiN. Ozonation increases water transparency. After ozonation, the water does not irritate the eyes and skin.
Silver or copper ionization
The positively charged silver and copper ions disinfect the water due to electrostatic bonds with the negatively charged cells of the microorganisms that pollute the water. As a result, the cells die and the water becomes safe for swimming. Ionization process: contaminated water is treated in special chambers with silver and copper electrodes, which are constantly supplied with a weak current. This is how we get silver and copper ions, which do the work of purifying the water.
An important point: it is not recommended to often use ionization with silver, since it belongs to heavy metals and due to constant exposure to a person causes a dangerous disease.
Ultraviolet irradiation
The advantages of ultraviolet water purification are human health safety and economy. UV lamps are installed above the pool, their effect instantly cleans the water of micro-organisms.However, constant ultraviolet treatment of water leads to the accumulation of excessive amounts of iron, which will additionally need to be removed or neutralized. Therefore, UV treatment must be combined with other cleaning technologies to achieve a long-lasting and reliable cleaning effect.
Underwater vacuum cleaners
The bottom and walls of the container can be cleaned with specialized wet vacuum cleaners. They remove pollution, deposits, make the water clearer and cleaner. Modern industry offers various types of vacuum cleaners for water purification. They are manual models, automated vacuum cleaners that move on the bottom, under water, or without water.
How it works
Cleaning the bowl and the water is a laborious task, it must be done repeatedly in order to achieve the radiant blue of the tank. This is where wet vacuums come in handy, as they minimize labor costs. A handheld vacuum is only effective in small containers; for adults, automated models are more acceptable.
The vacuum works properly equipped with hoses and fittings. They are equipped with a pressure regulator to prevent the pipes from bursting in the event of an overvoltage. The small sediments that appear, which are inevitable during the operation of any type of vacuum cleaner, are removed by a circular system. The length of the pipe must be sufficient; so that it does not slip out of your hands, it is recommended to attach it to the stair railing.
An important point: no air must enter the hose, otherwise it clogs the filter, which causes the vacuum cleaner to stop.
At the end of the work, the vacuum cleaner must be dried, washed its filters. Store equipment in a clean, dust-free place.
Kinds
The advantages of special vacuum cleaners allow you to keep the pool perfectly clean, without wasting water during its frequent changes.Vacuum cleaners are of three types: manual, semi-automatic, robotic vacuum cleaners. Their choice depends on the volume of water and the material capabilities of the owner.
Review of the best models
Technological units help keep swimming pools hygienically clean and aesthetically pleasing. The category of wet vacuum cleaners today is diverse in their functions and cost.
Intex Auto Pool Cleaner 28001
It is a suction assistant to keep any type of swimming pool clean. Among automatic cleaners, Intex units stand out. They are distinguished by their practical use, reliability and functionality. Their abilities allow you to purify water, walls, absorb coarse dirt, foliage. It is not recommended to entrust this vacuum cleaner to children, they are not used when people bathe in the pool. When cleaning the vacuum cleaner, unplug it from the electrical outlet.
Dolphin Supreme M5
This is a variable motion robot vacuum cleaner. It is easy to use, fully automated and can be used to clean odd shaped pools. Manufacturers have equipped the robot with intelligent technology, providing high-quality six-axis cleaning.There is even a program that controls the entanglement of the electric cable.
Its advantages allow you to automatically find the dirtiest areas, clean horizontal and vertical surfaces. The vacuum cleaner is equipped with multi-layer filters and is lightweight. Remote control of robot functions is possible. It is one of the most expensive models.
RV 4400 Vortex Pro 2WD
The classic robot vacuum cleaner of the latest model. Cleans surfaces with rotating brushes, collects dirt particles in a container equipped with Zodiac Vortex technology.
It has an automatic water lifting function, it is equipped with a trolley to transport and store it.
Designed for automatic pool cleaning. Cleans different types of bottoms: flat, gently sloping, multi-level, cleans all cladding: composite swimming pool, tiles, mosaic, polypropylene, PVC film. It is convenient to clean the filter before storing the vacuum cleaner.
Way of the beasts 58324
This is a rechargeable handheld vacuum cleaner. It is equipped with a vacuum function. The model is compact, it is convenient to use it in pools less than 3 m deep, it is equipped with two large accessories to deal with heavy pollution. One battery charge is enough for one hour of operation. The vacuum cleaner is supplied with a USB cable for charging. The cost of a vacuum cleaner is available to any home pool owner.
Cheer
The automatic vacuum cleaner is designed for effective cleaning of various types of dirt from the bottom and walls of swimming pools. Equipped with an intelligent system, has its own software. This allows the unit to perfectly suck dirt, small fractions of debris from the entire pool area. The filter retains debris smaller than two microns. Good for maintaining small private pools. The unit moves in different planes - along the bottom, the walls of the pool.
Choice criteria
When choosing a pool vacuum cleaner, you should consider the material from which the cleaning elements are made. If the pool bowl is covered with brick, marble, you need foam brushes; rubber framed and pre-built pools will require PVC brushes. A hand-held vacuum cleaner can be purchased for working in a small pool, the volume of which does not exceed 40 m3.The cleaning of larger bodies of water should be carried out by semi-automatic units or robots.
It is necessary to know the expiry date of the brushes, with frequent cleaning of the pool, they wear out quickly, they must be replaced annually. You should find out their cost and availability from sellers in advance. Beforehand, you should familiarize yourself with cleaning vacuum cleaner filters, their lifespan, availability and cost.
Use of chemistry
The pools are cleaned using a range of chemicals. These substances must be selected in such a way as to give effective purity and not harm humans.
They are represented by the chemical industry in several types:
- disinfectants;
- regulate the composition of water;
- prevent the proliferation of water;
- acting against water coagulation.
The latest technology is water disinfection with hydrogen peroxide. It combines with water and releases a large amount of active oxygen, which provides disinfection. Important is the absence of unpleasant odors, allergies and skin irritations.
pH adjustment
There are special instant-acting tablets that equalize the pH level, at the same time disinfect the water and remove plaque from the walls in the form of organic deposits. It is now a versatile product for maintaining pH levels while purifying water. The pH level is measured with special instruments.
The neutral level should be 7 units. A pH <7 indicates acidification of the water, which becomes dangerous not only for bathers, but also for the functioning of filtration mechanisms and pool equipment. A pH > 7 indicates that the water has acquired an alkaline structure , in which the salts precipitate, an unpleasant odor appears and the eyes of bathers may be irritated.
Disinfection
Chemical disinfectants should be added to the water weekly. They are designed to disinfect water, to maintain its safe state for humans. This is especially important if children are constantly swimming in the pool.
Chlorine based
The simplest but outdated technology is purification by chlorination. Yes, chlorine instantly destroys all bacteria, fungi and harmful components. Its action maintains the purity of the water for a long time. Today, chlorine is produced in the form of powders, solutions, tablets, granules… There are also ready-to-use kits to purify pool water. When using chlorination, it is important to keep the dosage exact. If family members who like to bathe have contraindications to chlorine, other technologies should be used.
Bromine based
Using bromine helps get rid of harmful bacteria. It is less aggressive, it does not have an unpleasant smell, it does not have a negative effect on the skin.
Based on active oxygen
They clean the swimming pools with active oxygen. This method is well suited for purifying water in small pools. In terms of effectiveness, active oxygen is several times greater than the effect of chlorine and bromine. It is completely safe for humans and perfectly disinfects water.
Algae control
The water in outdoor pools will certainly bloom if it is not changed regularly and the pool bowl is not cleaned with special means. Green algae remain on the walls, at the bottom mechanical cleaning using special reagents is required. Yellow algae grow in the shaded part of the pool and are very difficult to remove. They only die from shock doses of chlorine, and the treatment will have to be repeated several times.In this case, after using chlorine, it must be neutralized.
Black algae are the most resistant to chemical treatments and hide in PVC welds around drainage holes. Their appearance indicates the complete absence of chlorine in the water. The chemicals change the acid and alkaline composition of the water, thereby halting and completely stopping the growth of algae spores.
Single-celled micro-organisms make swimming pool water dangerous for human health, they make filter installations unusable.
It is necessary to measure the presence of chemicals, chlorine, salts in the water weekly, to assess the pH of hydrogen. There are special testers for this. To clean the surfaces of the pool from algae, a water vacuum cleaner is used, the filters are washed with chemicals and the cartridges are replaced.
Coagulation
Physico-chemical process in water, which is important for dispersed fine pollution particles to become larger. Then they are easier to remove from the water. There are special substances - coagulants. They are added to the water before cleaning the pool, after the coagulation process, the enlarged parts of the pollution settle to the bottom and are easily picked up with a vacuum cleaner. The dirt flakes are then flushed out of the filters just as easily.
Step-by-step scheme for cleaning a frame pool in the country
Before you clean the pool, you need to fully understand this tedious process. Where to start, what equipment and chemicals will be needed. After all, it is necessary not only to drain the water from the tank, but also to process it mechanically and chemically.Then rinse with running water to remove any chemical residue. It is important and correct to choose the correct chemicals for the specific pool cover, equipment and equipment.
Preparation of funds
First of all, hand tools are being prepared. The standard set includes: brushes with telescopic handles, nets, a skimmer - a small vacuum cleaner with its own set of different brushes. Chemical agents are prepared, suitable for covering the bowl, necessary for the quality of contamination.
How to clear filters
Sand filters are quickly contaminated by fine impurities consisting of silt and micro-organisms. These filters are suitable for all types of pools. In the filter, sand that becomes dirty over time settles, the device can be changed, rinsed with clean running water.
Cartridge filters capture the most microscopic dirt particles. The cartridge system is advanced and easy to maintain. The cartridges are disposable, when they get dirty, they are immediately thrown away; and reusable. Such models are subject to repeated washing and reuse. The life of the cartridge depends on the material used to fill it during manufacture. The most effective, easiest to clean, and longest lasting cartridges are filled with diatomaceous earth made from fine shell rock.
Garbage disposal
The simplest method is mechanical and physical cleaning of the pool from large debris. For this, nets with small cells are used, equipped with garbage bags, magnets for recovering lost keys and key fobs from below. There is also a catch on the net for coins that have fallen to the bottom of the pool.
Then come the special vacuum cleaners that swallow all foreign bodies.Vacuum cleaners of different models effectively remove debris and dirt adhering to the walls. The hand vacuum is equipped with special rollers for moving along the sides of the pool. By removing debris, the vacuum protects the pool from the growth of fungus and mold. Filtration systems handle smaller debris.
Disinfection
The disinfection of pool water aims to make it more transparent, by destroying algae and micro-organisms. For disinfection of water today there are various means, among which the most popular are Intex, Dezavid-BAS. Various products are presented in the form of tablets, solutions, powders, granules. Combined preparations are widespread, which simultaneously solve several problems of water disinfection.
To clean small deposits on the walls of the basin, a double dose of disinfectant is added to the water. The plate settles from the walls to the bottom in the form of flakes, and is well cleaned by the filtration system.
Care Features for Inflatable Models
Inflatable models are a popular seasonal version of the pool in the country. They have a simple design and are easy to install and remove. Just take care of them. Care includes regular cleaning of internal surfaces from mucus accumulating on them, disinfection of water. Water cleaning should be done several times during the week by injecting cleaning agents directly into the water. If the capacity of the pool is large, it is important to completely change the water twice during the swimming season.
Children's pool models require a weekly water change, in toddler pools it is recommended to change the water daily.An empty swimming pool must be rinsed with cleaning and disinfecting products, the walls must be carefully cleaned with brushes or cloths. After that, the whole pool should be rinsed with running water, and only after that it can be filled with fresh water.
You can maintain the pool yourself, it is important not to run it until it is very dirty. When servicing an inflatable pool, the owner himself chooses the methods and means of disinfection and treatment.
Rules for carrying out winter conservation works
Each owner of a waterworks has to face the solution of the problem of preparing the pool for winter.
There are tried and tested rules:
- Drain the water.
- Clean the metal parts, cover them with a disinfectant solution.
- Clean the walls and bottom with special chemicals using brushes or using a vacuum cleaner.
- Dismantle the lighting system, wrap the removed material with a cloth and store it in a dry and warm place.
- Remove the pumping equipment from the gel, before cleaning and washing the filters.
- Disinfect all pool equipment.
- Provides protection against salt build-up. Pools left for wintering with water conservation gel. For this reason, the water is filled with disinfectants and chemicals to prevent salt formation.
- Install a compensation system to prevent the pool cover from being destroyed by the pressure of the water freezing in it. The role of expansion joints can be played by pieces of foam, empty plastic bottles, old car tires.
- Remove the hydraulic system, completely all technological equipment. Close empty pipes with special plugs. Protect the valves with waterproof plastic bags.
- Cover the tank so that sunlight and debris do not enter the bowl. For this, tarpaulin canopies, wooden panels, polycarbonate sheets are used.
Proper preservation of the hydraulic structure will effectively protect the pool from winter destruction, preserve its functionality for years to come without the need for repair.