Pool water must be circulated for maximum sanitizer effectiveness. The more your water is in motion, the harder it is for bacteria and algae to take hold. Debris is captured by your filter, too. The best time to circulate the water is during the day, for 10 hours or more.

The filter is one of your most important pieces of equipment. It removes both visible debris and most microscopic matter. Generally, a filter should be backwashed (the removal of material trapped on or in the filter media) when the water pressure in the filter reaches 8 to 10 psi above normal. (Check manufacturer's guidelines.) Because backwashing does not remove oils and deeply embedded debris, every filter needs to be chemically cleaned regularly. Your BioGuard Dealer can help you establish a filter maintenance program.

Some swimming pools have areas with little or no circulation. This is where algae and bacteria can begin to grow. At least once a week, the walls and floor should be brushed and vacuumed to remove debris that the filter misses. Brushing is a must, even if you use an automatic pool cleaner or retain a weekly service.

Every pool has characteristics that must be regularly measured and adjusted. Most important are the pH and the level of active sanitizer. By testing these two factors at regular intervals, you'll understand how bather load, weather and product application affect the water. Test your pool water two or three times per week. Also, take a sample to your BioGuard Dealer when you open and close your pool, and every four to six weeks during the season. This will help you maintain proper water balance and greatly reduce the potential for problems.

The last step in a total pool maintenance program is applying the right products to your pool water at the right time. This will help you: Provide a sanitary swimming environment. Balance the water to protect the equipment and pool surfaces. Unbalanced water can permanently damage both. Provide brilliant, sparkling water that's inviting. BioGuard®: Still As Simple As 1-2-3 With all the rapid-fire changes happening out in the marketplace these days, here’s one thing we know for certain: when it comes to effortless pool care, Paradise Pool & Spa's pool care systems are simply the best. Hands down. That’s because each system is broken down into three easy-to-follow steps—starting with Step 1: adding Smart Sticks® (featuring patented SmartGuard® Technology that lasts up to twice as long as other chlorine) to quickly sanitize and kill bacteria. Then you follow up with Steps 2 & 3 using the recommended shock to destroy contaminants and algicide to stop algae. Simple as 1,2,3, huh? We invite you to come visit us today to learn more about all of BioGuard’s simple pool care systems.www.bioguard.com

Proper water circulation will help prevent ensure even distribution of products as well as promote filtration. As the water circulates, it passes through the filter, trapping suspended particles. Properly circulating SpaGuard spa care products help keep the water inviting and ready for your soaking pleasure. Be sure to run your spa's circulation system every day to ensure good working order.

Many spa issues are caused by poor filtration-when the filter is dirty or clogged, debris stays in the water. A properly cared for filter captures hair, oils and cosmetics. (Most spas have a cartridge filter.) Because spa filters trap many contaminants, cleaning has two steps: spraying off loose debris, then using SpaGuard Filter Brite to remove oils and other contaminants embedded into the filter. You need to clean your filter every 4 to 6 weeks. Check your owner's manual or ask your SpaGuard Dealer for information on how to remove and clean your filter.

Contaminants such as dirt, oil and even bacteria can accumulate at the waterline, much like a bathtub ring. Regular cleaning preserves spa surfaces and prevents unwanted build-up. SpaGuard® Surface Cleaner and SpaGuard Cleaning Mitts are powerful, low-sudsing cleaners that work specifically with spa water chemistry. Use them to remove the ring of oil and dirt that serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and to prevent residue from building up around the waterline and inside skimmers.

Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa maintenance. Over time, the water absorbs and dissolves minerals, chemicals and other soluble material. Your SpaGuard dealer can perform a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test to help determine if it's time to replace your water. High TDS can make the water look dull, become foamy, and develop an odor. How often you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it. This simple formula can help: Total Volume ÷ (3x3.78) ÷ Average Daily Bathers = Days between draining Example: 1200 Litres ÷ 11.34 ÷ 4 daily bathers = 26 Days Note: a bather is one person in the spa for 15-30 minutes.

The chemistry of your spa water needs to be checked regularly. Use SpaGuard products to maintain the correct levels, including: sanitizer residuals, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, metals, and total dissolved solids. BioGuard® 4-way Test Strips test pH, total alkalinity, and sanitizer levels with only one strip. Maintaining proper levels will make the water clear and comfortable, kill bacteria that can multiply rapidly in a spa, protect spa surfaces from stains caused by metals, and protect spa equipment from scale. There are 3 essential chemical areas to maintain. Sanitization - kills bacteria to help prevent the transmission of disease. Oxidation/shock - removes residues and restores clarity and comfort. Water balance - ensures spa user comfort, water clarity, sanitizer efficiency, and longevity of spa surfaces and equipment.

There are two primary components that affect spa water quality: sanitizer (bromine or chlorine) residual and pH. When both are within their recommended ranges, your water is comfortable, protected and clear; sanitizers and "shock products" work efficiently; and spa surfaces and equipment are protected. Recommended bromine or chlorine residual levels are: Bromine Residual using Brominating Tablets Residential = 2 - 4 ppm Commercial = 4 - 6 ppm Bromine Residual using Brominating Concentrate: 3 - 6 ppm Chlorine Residual using Chlorinating Concentrate: 3 - 5 ppm Maintain pH between 7.4 - 7.6 (the ideal range; acceptable range is 7.2 - 7.6). *Not Applicable for Spas using Spa Sentry. Spa Sentry is an alternative to regular water balance procedures. By adding SpaGuard Spa Sentry, it holds the pH within its optimum range. Spa Sentry is formulated to "watch over" the pH and protect the water from pH changes. It also removes calcium from the water avoiding potential scaling problems. See your SpaGuard dealer for more details. www.spaguard.ca