Pool Pro Pool Tips

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First off — congrats. You got yourself a pool, and that means summer just got a whole lot better. Around here, pools ain’t just water and concrete — they’re where families hang out, kids grow up, and folks cool off after a long hot day.

At Pool Pro Inc, we build pools using solid, proven stuff like Hayward equipment, Tara pool liners, fiberglass pools, and concrete pools because we don’t believe in buildin’ junk. This guide’s here to keep things simple, so you know what you’re lookin’ at and don’t feel like you need a degree in poolology.

Your pool system looks fancy, but it really only does a few things.

• Pump – This is the heart of the whole operation. If it ain’t runnin’, the pool ain’t happy.
   
• Filter – Catches leaves, dirt, bugs, and whatever else the wind throws in there.
   
• Heater (if you got one) – Takes the edge off when the water’s still cold.
   
• Automatic Cleaner – Helps keep the pool clean so you ain’t doin’ all the work.
   

• Empty skimmer baskets before they’re packed full
   
• Check the pump basket every so often
   
• Backwash sand or DE filters when the pressure climbs
   
• Cartridge filters need to be pulled out and hosed off now and then
   

Clean equipment = clear water. Ain’t much more to it.

Vinyl liners are tough, but they don’t like abuse.

• Keep sharp stuff outta the pool
   
• Don’t let chemicals get way outta whack
   
• Watch for wrinkles or wear over time
   
• Keep a small patch kit around — just in case
   

Treat the liner right and it’ll stick with you a long time.

This is where folks usually panic — don’t.

• pH: Keep it between 7.2 and 7.6
   
• Chlorine: Usually 1–3 ppm
   
• Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
   
• Calcium: 200–400 ppm (mostly matters for plaster pools)
   

Test the water once a week. Adjust a little at a time. Don’t dump chemicals in like you’re seasonin’ a gumbo.

If you do this once a week, you’ll stay outta trouble:

• Test the water
   
• Empty baskets
   
• Make sure the equipment’s runnin’ right
   
• Brush the walls and floor
   
• Vacuum if needed
   
• Check the filter
   

Stay ahead of it and pool life stays easy.

• Spring: Open it up, check everything, balance the water
   
• Summer: Keep up with chemicals — especially when the pool’s gettin’ used hard
   
• Fall: Balance water and start slowin’ things down
   
• Winter: If you close it, winterize the equipment so nothin’ freezes and busts
   

• Cloudy water: Usually filter or chemistry
   
• Green water: Algae — shock it and clean the filter
   
• Foamy water: Cheap chemicals or algaecide buildup
   

Most pool problems start small. Fix ’em early and save yourself the headache.

• Always keep an eye on kids
   
• No divin’ where it ain’t deep
   
• Keep gates shut and barriers secure
   
• Lock chemicals up and outta reach
   

A safe pool is a fun pool.

Your Hayward equipment, gunite shell, vinyl liners, and fiberglass pools come with warranties. Hang onto your paperwork.

If somethin’ looks off, sounds funny, or just don’t feel right — call us. We’d rather look at it early than fix a bigger mess later.

Your pool’s an investment — but more importantly, it’s where memories get made. Take care of it, don’t ignore it, and it’ll take care of you right back.

And if you ever get stuck…
👉 Pool Pro Inc is just a phone call away. We got you.

Let’s be honest — pool chemistry ain’t everybody’s favorite thing. Some folks enjoy it, some folks tolerate it, and some folks would rather wrestle a gator than mess with test kits and chemicals every week.

That’s where our service division comes in.

Pool Pro Service Inc is your go-to crew for professional water chemistry, routine pool service, and keeping your pool dialed in all season long. These folks live and breathe pool chemistry, so your water stays clean, balanced, and swim-ready without the guesswork.

Whether you want:

• Help getting your water balanced just right
   
• Ongoing chemical service
   
• Weekly or routine pool care
   
• Or someone to take it off your plate altogether
   

👉 Pool Pro Service Inc has you covered.

They handle the chemistry, the testing, and the fine-tuning, so you can focus on enjoyin’ the pool instead of babysittin’ it.

If pool chemistry starts feelin’ like more trouble than it’s worth, don’t sweat it — that’s exactly what they’re there for.

Ask us about Pool Pro Service Inc or visit their site to get set up.

https://poolproserviceinc.com/

Backwashing your Hayward sand filter is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to keep your pool water clean. Over time, that filter fills up with dirt, leaves, bugs, sunscreen, and whatever else ends up in the pool. When that happens, water flow drops and the filter quits doin’ its job.

Backwashing simply reverses the water flow and flushes all that junk out. Here’s how to do it without messin’ anything up.

This part matters.
Always turn the pump off before touchin’ the valve.
Don’t skip this unless you like broken equipment and bad days.

If your system uses a backwash hose:

• Hook it to the backwash port
   
• Point the other end somewhere safe — a drain or a far corner of the yard
   
• Don’t flood your flower beds, your neighbor’s yard, or the crawlspace
   

Dirty water’s comin’ out, so plan ahead.

Turn the multiport valve handle to BACKWASH.
(Usually on top of the filter — big handle, hard to miss.)

Now turn the pump back on.
You’ll see dirty water start shootin’ out the hose.

Watch the water:

• At first it’ll look nasty
   
• After a few minutes it should start runnin’ clear
   

Once it clears up, you’re good. No need to run it forever.

Anytime you move that valve — pump stays off.

Turn the valve to RINSE.
This step settles the sand back where it belongs.

Let it rinse for about half a minute.
That cleans out anything left in the lines.

Yep — again. Same rule.

Put the valve back where it normally lives — FILTER.

You’re back in business. Pool’s filtering like it should.

Write down:

• The date
   
• The pressure before and after backwashing
   

Helps you spot problems later and know when the sand might need replacin’.

After backwashing:

• Pressure should be lower
   
• If it shoots right back up, you might have dirty sand or another issue
   

If you’re not sure — that’s when you call us or Pool Pro Service Inc.

• When the pressure gauge climbs 8–10 PSI above normal
   
• After big storms
   
• During heavy swim season
   

Don’t overdo it — but don’t ignore it either.

If pool chemistry and filter stuff starts feelin’ like more trouble than it’s worth, Pool Pro Service Inc is your go-to crew. They handle chemistry and maintenance so you don’t have to babysit the pool.

That’s it. No rocket science.
Turn it off, turn the valve, flush the junk, and put it back.

The Hayward TriStar is a workhorse. Treat it right and it’ll run forever.

• Pulls water from the pool
   
• Pushes it through the filter
   
• Keeps everything clean and movin’
   

If it’s runnin’ smooth and quiet, you’re good.

• Keep the pump basket clean
   
• Make sure the lid O-ring is clean and lubed
   
• Don’t let it run dry
   

If you hear screamin’, rattlin’, or grindin’ — somethin’ ain’t right.

• Fill the pump basket with water
   
• Put the lid back on tight
   
• Start the pump
   

Most of the time, that fixes it.

If it sounds mad, smells hot, or trips the breaker — turn it off and call us. Pumps ain’t cheap.

Cartridge filters do a good job, but they don’t clean themselves. When they get dirty, water flow drops and your pool starts actin’ up. Clean ’em regular and life stays easy.

Always. No exceptions.
If the pump’s on, don’t touch nothin’.

Open the air relief on top of the filter so pressure drops.
If you skip this, the lid will fight you.

• Undo the clamp or bolts
   
• Lift the lid off
   
• Pull the cartridge(s) out
   

Take a look — if they’re brown, slimy, or nasty, you’re right on time.

• Use a garden hose
   
• Spray between the pleats
   
• Work top to bottom
   

Don’t use a pressure washer unless you’re buyin’ new cartridges soon.

If they’re greasy or real funky:

• Soak ’em in a cartridge cleaner or mild degreaser
   
• Rinse real good after
   

• Drop cartridges back in
   
• Put lid on
   
• Tighten clamp evenly
   

Check for leaks.
Pressure should be lower than before — that’s how you know you did it right.

• Every 4–6 weeks during swim season
   
• More often if the pool’s busy
   

OmniLogic looks fancy, but don’t let it scare ya. You only need a few buttons.

Turns the pool circulation on and off.
If water’s movin’, it’s workin’.

Switches from pool mode to spa mode.
Valves turn, heater kicks in, spa heats up.

Tap it → lights come on.
Tap it again → colors change (if you’ve got color lights).

This is where:

• Bubblers
   
• Laminar jets
   
• Waterfalls
   

live. Tap what you want on or off.

Set your:

• Pool temp
   
• Spa temp
   

Don’t crank it sky-high and forget about it unless you like big power bills.

• Schedules
   
• Config
   
• Advanced settings
   

That’s builder territory. If you’re curious — call first.

If you ever get lost in OmniLogic, just hit POOL, turn lights on, and enjoy the water. We can fix settings later.

And if chemistry or maintenance starts wearin’ you down, Pool Pro Service Inc is your go-to crew to keep everything dialed in.

Alright, listen up — your pool system’s got a lotta buttons, valves, and settings. Most of ’em are set up just right when we leave. Messin’ with the wrong thing can turn a happy pool into a problem real quick.

If you ain’t sure what it does… don’t touch it.

Those pipes and handles control where the water goes.

• Don’t spin valves randomly
   
• Don’t half-turn valves
   
• Don’t force stuck valves
   

Wrong valve position = no flow, no filtration, or a busted pump.

On Hayward OmniLogic, leave these alone:

• Schedules
   
• Config
   
• System setup
   
• Advanced menus
   

One wrong tap can shut off heaters, turn valves the wrong way, or stop the pool from circulatin’. If it ain’t broke, don’t “fix” it.

We get it — cold water ain’t fun.

But:

• Don’t jack the spa temp way up
   
• Don’t run the heater nonstop
   
• Don’t flip between pool and spa a bunch
   

That’s how heaters get mad and power bills get ugly.

If the pump loses water:

• Don’t let it keep runnin’
   
• Don’t keep hittin’ restart
   

Turn it off, fill the pump basket with water, and try again. Dry pumps don’t live long.

More ain’t better.

• Don’t pour chemicals together
   
• Don’t eyeball doses
   
• Don’t add stuff without testin’
   

That’s how liners get ruined and plaster gets etched. Slow and steady wins here.

This one’s common.

• Garden hose = good
   
• Pressure washer = bad
   

Blown-out cartridges don’t filter worth a dang.

That little gauge ain’t decoration.

• High pressure = dirty filter
   
• No pressure = flow problem
   

Ignoring it turns small fixes into big repairs.

If the system throws an alarm:

• Don’t ignore it
   
• Don’t mute it and hope for the best
   

Alarms exist for a reason. Call us if you’re unsure.

If it:

• Looks complicated
   
• Sounds angry
   
• Smells hot
   
• Or wasn’t explained to you
   

👉 Don’t touch it. Call us first.

And if pool chemistry or weekly upkeep starts feelin’ like a full-time job, Pool Pro Service Inc is your go-to crew to handle it the right way.

Pools don’t need babysittin’. They need consistency.

Do the basics, leave the rest alone, and you’ll enjoy the water instead of stressin’ over it.

Pools make noises, do weird things sometimes, and don’t always look perfect. The trick is knowin’ when it’s normal pool stuff and when it’s time to pick up the phone.

Let’s break it down.

You can take a breath if you see any of this:

• Evaporation happens, especially in summer
   
• Hot days + wind = water loss
   

Top it off and move on.

• Air burp after cleaning
   
• Valves switchin’ on automation
   
• Spa spillover startin’ up
   

As long as it settles down, you’re good.

• Lots of swimmers
   
• Big rainstorm
   
• Pool party weekend
   

Test it, clean the filter, give it a day.

• Automation delay
   
• Scheduled run times
   
• You hit the button twice
   

Wait a minute before panickin’.

• Pressure goes up slowly over time
   
• Drops after backwashing or cleaning
   

That’s how it’s supposed to work.

If you see any of this, go ahead and call:

• Loud whining
   
• No water flow
   
• Pump basket stays empty
   

Turn it off and call.

• Losin’ inches overnight
   
• Wet spots around the pool
   
• Air in the system nonstop
   

That ain’t evaporation.

• Pump or heater shuts off repeatedly
   
• Won’t stay powered
   

Electrical stuff = phone call.

• Error codes
   
• No heat when it should
   
• Heater short-cycling
   

Don’t keep tryin’ it — call.

• Clean filter but pressure jumps right back up
   
• Pressure stays high no matter what
   

Somethin’ else is goin’ on.

• Valves move wrong
   
• Pool and spa fight each other
   
• Buttons stop respondin’
   

Don’t dig into settings — let us handle it.

• Especially with good chemistry
   
• No recent storms or parties
   

That’s a problem, not a fluke.

If it:

• Gets worse fast
   
• Costs money if ignored
   
• Involves electricity, gas, or plumbing
   

👉 Call us.

If it:

• Looks small
   
• Happens slowly
   
• Fixes itself after normal cleaning
   

👉 Relax.

If water balance starts wearin’ you out, Pool Pro Service Inc is your go-to for chemistry and routine service. They keep the water dialed in so you don’t have to guess.

Pools are meant to be enjoyed — not stared at like a science experiment. Know when to act, know when to chill, and you’ll be just fine.

And when in doubt…
👉 Call first. We’d rather help early than fix a bigger mess later.

Down here, storms happen. Rain, wind, tropical systems — it’s just part of life. A little prep goes a long way in keepin’ your pool from turnin’ into a mess.

Here’s what to do before, during, and after a storm.

• Empty skimmer baskets
   
• Empty pump basket
   
• Clean the filter if it’s already dirty
   

Start clean so the system can handle what’s comin’.

• Drop it 1–2 inches below normal
   
• Don’t drain the pool
   

This gives rain somewhere to go without floodin’ everything.

• Pool furniture
   
• Toys, floats, umbrellas
   
• Skimmer lids if they’re loose
   

If the wind can pick it up, it’ll throw it.

• Make sure the pump schedule is normal
   
• Don’t mess with advanced settings
   

Let the system do its thing.

This is important.

Draining a pool before a storm can:

• Cause the pool to float
   
• Crack the shell
   
• Create a real expensive problem
   

If someone tells you to drain it — don’t.

Lightning and pools don’t mix. Period.

• Don’t open pads
   
• Don’t flip breakers
   
• Don’t try to “fix” anything mid-storm
   

Let it ride.

That’s fine.

• Turn the pump off when safe
   
• Don’t restart until power’s stable
   

• Leaves
   
• Branches
   
• Palm fronds
   

Get the big stuff out before runnin’ the system.

• Drain excess water if needed
   
• Bring it back to normal level
   

• Make sure valves look normal
   
• Check pump basket
   
• Look for leaks
   

• Let it circulate
   
• Backwash or clean the filter if pressure climbs
   

Rain messes with water balance.

• Test pH and chlorine
   
• Adjust slowly
   

Don’t dump chemicals all at once.

• Pump won’t prime
   
• Breaker keeps tripping
   
• Water level dropping fast
   
• Equipment making bad noises
   
• Automation acting confused
   

Storm damage gets worse if ignored.

If the water’s a mess and you don’t wanna fight it, Pool Pro Service Inc is your go-to for post-storm chemistry and cleanup.

Storms happen. Pools can handle ’em — if you don’t overreact.

Prep smart, don’t drain it, don’t panic, and call us if somethin’ don’t look right.

👉 When in doubt, shut it down and give us a ring.

Vacuuming your pool is how you get dirt, sand, and algae off the bottom instead of lettin’ it hang around and cause problems. Do it right and the pool stays clean. Do it wrong and you just stir up a mess or clog the system.

Here’s how to vacuum a pool the right way, the way we actually do it.

• Vacuum head
   
• Vacuum hose
   
• Telescopic pole
   

That’s it. Simple tools, simple job.

• Snap the vacuum head onto the pole
   
• Hook the hose to the vacuum head
   

Before you hook the hose to the skimmer, you’ve gotta get all the air out of it. Air in the hose = air in the pump = aggravation.

You can do this solo, but it’s way easier with two people.

If you’ve got a helper, do it this way — works every time.

• Take one end of the hose and stick it through the skimmer opening
   
• If there’s a second skimmer, plug it so all suction stays where you want it
   
• Take the vacuum end of the hose and hold it over a return jet on the pool wall
   
• Let the jet force water through the hose
   

Once you see water start comin’ out the skimmer end of the hose, you know it’s full.

At that point:

• Pull the hose off the jet
   
• Stick it straight into the skimmer port or vacuum plate
   

Now you’re primed, no air, no pump issues, and you’re good to go.

However you do it, the goal’s the same:
No air in the hose before you hook it up.

Do that, and vacuuming goes smooth instead of turnin’ into a fight.

• Pull the skimmer basket out
   
• Plug the hose into the skimmer port or vacuum plate
   
• Put everything back snug
   

This ain’t lawn mowin’.

• Move slow
   
• Don’t rush
   
• Overlap your passes
   

Slow keeps the dirt down so you actually pick it up.

Use this when:

• Light dirt
   
• Normal dust
   
• Pool isn’t real dirty
   

You’ll need to clean the filter afterward.

Use this when:

• Algae dust
   
• Mud or sand
   
• After storms
   

This sends the junk straight out and saves your filter — but you’ll lose water, so keep an eye on the level.

• If you’ve got algae or fine dust, brush the pool the day before.
  Don’t vacuum right away. Let everything settle on the bottom overnight, then vacuum the next day. That’s how you actually remove it instead of chasin’ it around.
   
• Vacuum slow and work toward the main drain.
  Dirt naturally wants to head that way. Help it along.
   
• If your pool has a bottom drain, you can slowly turn it down to increase suction.
  Do this a little at a time. Do NOT shut it all the way off. If you do, the vacuum head can stick to the bottom like a suction cup and make a mess or damage the liner or finish.
   
• After a heavy vacuum, clean the filter.
  All that dirt didn’t disappear — it’s in the filter now. Clean it so pressure stays normal.
   
• If the water starts clouding up while vacuuming, stop.
  Let everything settle back down and finish later. Keepin’ at it just spreads the problem.
   

• Don’t vacuum fast
   
• Don’t suck air into the system
   
• Don’t vacuum a nasty pool straight to filter
   
• Don’t ignore the pressure gauge
   

That’s how filters clog and pumps get mad.

Vacuuming takes time, and sometimes it’s just easier to let someone else handle it.
Pool Pro Service Inc is your go-to crew for weekly cleaning, vacuuming, and chemistry so you don’t have to mess with it.

Brush first if needed.
Let dirt settle when it should.
Vacuum slow.
Ease the main drain, don’t choke it.
Clean the filter after.

Do it that way and your pool stays clean without turnin’ into a headache.