Paramount - Products

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BRUSHING THE POOL
VACUUMING THE POOL
SKIMMING THE POOL
ATTACHED SPA
SAFETY
CHEMICALS
WATER SAFETY
POOL CLEANING SYSTEMS

BRUSHING THE POOL
Even though most modern swimming pools are equipped with an automatic cleaning system, there is no substitute for a thorough brushing of the walls and bottom of the pool. Most automatic cleaners can't scrub the floor to remove small debris and algae spores from the pores in the pool surface, and this must be done to ensure a stain and algae free pool surface. It is recommended that the pool be brushed with a standard 18-inch nylon bristle pool brush (found at any Pool retail showroom) at least twice per week. The entire process usually only takes 10 minutes and is well worth the time and effort. Be sure to brush the pool while the pump is operating, and to cover the entire pool from the tile line to the main drain. Sweep slowly and push the brush toward the main drain so that the debris will be pulled into the drain and then into the filter, where it will be removed from the water. If large amounts of debris were removed during this process, it is advisable to clean the filter afterward.

VACUUMING THE POOL
If the amount of debris in the pool is too great to be removed by either the automatic cleaning system or by brushing, the pool should be vacuumed to remove the debris before it becomes attached to the pool surface and requires special methods to remove. A manual vacuum system is available at any Pool retail showroom that will operate in any swimming pool. It consists of three major components: a vacuum head, a flexible vacuum hose, and a long telescopic pole.

The pole that is used for brushing can also be used for vacuuming as both the brush and the vacuum head are connected to the pole with a quick disconnect attachment. The process of vacuuming the pool manually can be accomplished by following these steps. First, make sure that the pump is operating and that the filter has recently been cleaned. In fact, it is recommended that the filter be cleaned immediately before and after vacuuming the pool. Attach the vacuum head to the telescopic pole, and attach either end of the vacuum hose to the top of the vacuum head. Keeping the opposite end of the hose and the pole accessible, lower the vacuum head into the pool.

Before the vacuum hose can be attached to the suction line in the skimmer, it must be filled with water to prevent a large amount of air entering the pump and causing a loss of prime. This can be accomplished by either placing the free end of the vacuum hose over one of the main return lines, allowing water to flow into the hose and push out the air, or by inserting a garden hose into the vacuum hose and using the water from the garden hose to push air out of the vacuum hose. As the hose is filling with water, the vacuum head should be lifted from the bottom of the pool about 1 foot to assist in the escape of the trapped air. Once the bubbles have stopped flowing from the vacuum head, bring the free end of the vacuum hose to the skimmer, keeping the end of the hose beneath the water at all times so that no more air is allowed to enter the hose.

Remove the lid from the skimmer, and also remove the skimmer basket and float valve. Cover the free end of the vacuum hose with the palm of your hand and quickly lift the hose over the pool deck and into the skimmer through the opening at the top. Once the end of the hose is underwater, remove your hand and insert the hose into the suction hole in the bottom of the skimmer (the hole farthest from the pool)(If you have a Paramount In-Floor system with a booster pump make sure the booster pump is off or the vacuumed debris will be returned to the pool via the floor returns). The suction will hold the hose into the hole and will form a good seal. If the hole is too large for the hose to seal properly, an adapter is available at any Pool retail showroom.

Once the connection has been made, slowly move the vacuum over the pool surface in a similar fashion as brushing, except with vacuuming, it is not necessary to push the vacuum toward the main drain. It is necessary to vacuum the entire pool, from the tile line to the drain, but care should be taken to keep the vacuum head underwater at all times to prevent air from entering the system. When the pool has been sufficiently cleaned, pull the vacuum hose out of the suction hole in the skimmer and wash the hose and head with fresh water to remove chemicals that could decrease the life of the equipment, and store them in a shaded area. Once again, it is recommended that the filter be cleaned immediately after vacuuming to remove the excess debris and increase the efficiency of the filter system. Replace the float valve, skimmer basket, and skimmer cover.

SKIMMING THE POOL
While vacuuming and brushing remove dirt and debris from the bottom of the pool, they do not remove the debris such as grass, leaves, and bugs which float on the water surface. The skimmer built into the pool deck usually removes this debris, but it can accumulate in large amounts and it may take the built-in skimmer an appreciable time to remove it. By using a hand skimmer, the debris can be quickly removed before it has the opportunity to become saturated with water and sink to the bottom. While there are no specific guidelines as to when the pool should be manually skimmed, it is recommended that it be done either before or after brushing. A manual skimmer can be used in conjunction with the same telescopic pole used for brushing and vacuuming, and can be found at any Pool retail showroom.

ATTACHED SPA
In the case where a spa is attached to the swimming pool and the water is allowed to overflow into the pool, both the pool and the spa share the same filter and pump systems, and they are connected to each other within the piping network. The spa will contain its own main drain, and may also have its own skimmer. In this case, the skimmer and main drain operate exactly the same as in the swimming pool, and the suction line in the skimmer meets that of the pool immediately adjacent to the hair and lint trap attached to the pump. A 3-way swing valve will be present at this junction to regulate the flow between the spa and the pool suction lines. For normal operation, the pool suction line should be considerably more open than that of the spa to ensure that the spa does not drain. Since the volume of water in the spa is small compared to that of the pool, very little suction is needed for proper circulation of the spa. If a separate skimmer is present for the spa, and the skimmer contains a float valve, set the flap in the same position as that in the pool skimmer, and adjust the 3-way valve near the pump so that the vast majority of the water is coming from the pool skimmer (i.e. adjust the 3-way valve so that the spa suction line is almost closed). On the pressure side of the system, there will be separate valves present to direct water flow to the therapy jets in the spa. To operate the therapy jets, simply open the swing valve that is labeled "therapy jets" and if needed for more flow, partially close the valve labeled "return". This will direct more water into the spa's therapy jets and less into the pool's main returns. Be aware that the water in the spa will overflow into the pool, and if the spa is heated, some heat may be lost to the pool.

POOL SAFETY
The use and care of a swimming pool should be a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Since there are a number of items in and around a swimming pool, including the pool itself, which can be a potential hazard, familiarization of the safety aspects of these items is mandatory. Please refer to the warning labels on any product for use in or near the swimming pool, and follow any directions for the safe and clean disposal of these items. Please refer to your equipment owner's manuals for all operating and safety precautions.

A. CHEMICALS
The chemicals used in a swimming pool pose a definite hazard to occupants and equipment. A few simple guidelines should be followed to ensure the safety of everyone. In this context, a "chemical" includes, but is not limited to, chlorine, acid, soda ash, any algaecide, diatomaceous earth, silica sand, and any cleaning agent.
· Never mix any two chemicals together, either away from or in the pool water.
· Never add water to a chemical . . . always add the chemical to water.
· Never handle a chemical without the use of protective gloves and a form of nose-mouth protection. This can be a disposable fabric mask or a respirator.
· Never add two different chemicals to the pool water at the same time . . . always allow at least 4 hours between applications unless otherwise directed by the chemical manufacturer.
· Never allow anyone to use the pool within 4 hours after the addition of chemicals.
· Never store any chemicals inside the house, in direct sunlight, or near the pool area.
· Keep all pool chemicals out of the reach of children.
· Never store two different chemicals adjacent to one another. Leakage of one could cause them to mix and a chemical reaction could result.
· Avoid contact of any chemical with the skin or mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth, eyes, and nose. If this occurs, flush the area with water and consult a physician immediately. Be sure to have the container of the chemical nearby to inform the physician of the agent involved.
· Be aware of the addition of any pool chemicals by another person, to avoid interaction or overdose.

B. WATER SAFETY
As more swimming pools are built and more people enjoy them, the incidence of near drowning and drowning continues to increase. Only by knowing the proper and safe use of the swimming pool may these tragedies be avoided. Primarily, be aware that in many municipalities, law requires that the swimming pool be inaccessible to children under six years old without the assistance of an adult. This means that there should be a self-locking barrier between the pool and the house. This includes, but is not limited to, a fence with a self-locking gate, a self-locking door if the pool is adjacent to the house with no fence in between, and an automatic safety cover that is secured on all sides of the pool and can support the weight of several adults. Remember that no matter how many barriers exist around the pool area, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSTANT DIRECT ADULT SUPERVISION. It only takes a few seconds for a child to fall into the swimming pool and drown. Also, this is NOT limited to children. Anyone who is not able to swim is in danger of drowning if he or she falls into the pool. Under no circumstances should anyone not able to swim be allowed in the pool area unsupervised. The American Red Cross conducts water rescue and CPR classes available to the public. Everyone is encouraged to enroll in these classes to become familiar with vital rescue and CPR procedures in the event someone were to fall into the pool. Contact your local American Red Cross office for more information on water rescue and CPR classes in your area. A number of safety devices and tools are available to make the pool area safe and enjoyable. These include signs for pool safety and rules, life rings to throw to a person in trouble, "shepherd's hooks" to use to extract an incapacitated person from the water, buoys and ropes to divide the shallow end from the deep end of a swimming pool, and alarms which emit a loud noise in the event someone were to fall into the pool. For more details on these and more safety devices, consult your nearest Pool retail showroom.

SUCTION SIDE CLEANERS A suction-side pool cleaner is a type that uses the suction of the swimming pool's circulation system in order to operate. In other words, water is pulled through the cleaner, causing some driving device to make the cleaner move about the pool. There are a number of benefits to this type of cleaner, as well as some disadvantages. Among the benefits is the fact that the cleaner itself acts as a moving main drain, bringing water from all over the pool to the filter system, instead of bringing it only from the deep end where the drain is located. Also, this type of cleaner requires only the pools existing circulation system to operate (i.e. no additional pumps are required). Usually, suction-side cleaners possess relatively few moving parts, and thus are generally easier to maintain. These types of cleaners, however, possess non-moving parts that are in direct contact with, and scrape against, the pool surface. Since these parts are made of flexible materials, they tend to become worn rapidly, especially if the pool surface is rough.

A. OPERATION
In order to utilize the system's suction, the cleaner must be connected to a port that pulls water from the pool. The most logical and accessible of these ports is the suction hole in the bottom of the skimmer. The manufacturers of suction-side pool cleaners make a device, usually called a regulator valve, which inserts into the suction port of the skimmer. These valves serve two purposes: they regulate the flow through the pool cleaner so that it does not experience too much or too little suction, and they also possess a small port through which excess water may flow to allow the skimmer to continue functioning even though the cleaner is plugged into the suction port. Some pools with inadequate pumps may not allow the skimmer to operate with a suction-side cleaner attached. The cleaner itself may require all of the suction that the pump can produce. In all cases, the main drain in the swimming pool must not be operating while a suction-side cleaner is connected. There are two reasons for this. First, if the drain is operating, it is taking suction away from the cleaner. Since most suction-side cleaners require a large portion of the system's suction, an insufficient amount of suction may be allowed to flow through the cleaner, causing it to function inadequately. Second, suction cleaners, in general, form tight seals with the pool surface, and if the cleaner were to travel directly over an operating main drain, the two would exert opposing suction forces on one another, causing the cleaner to be stuck to the drain. There is no need to be concerned over the loss of the function of the main drain, since, as mentioned earlier, the cleaner itself serves as a moving main drain, performing the same function as the drain, except it is moving over the entire surface of the pool.

B. GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING
While no two-pool cleaners are alike, many are susceptible to the same problems and can be restored to working condition in the same manner. Because of the wide variety of suction-side cleaners on the market, no one specific cleaner will be mentioned in detail here. Rather, some general troubleshooting hints and tips will be offered. If a problem arises which is not covered in this section, please consult your pool pro at your local Pool retail showroom.
Problem(s): The cleaner seems to be moving slowly and stops frequently.
Probable Cause(s): There is insufficient water flow through the cleaner.
Solution(s): (1) Check the cleaner head for any obstructions; it may be necessary to disassemble part or all of the head to visually check the openings.
(2) Inspect the cleaner's hose for leaks. First, check it visually. If no large openings are discovered, remove the hose from the cleaner head and from the suction port and force water through the cleaner hose using a garden hose, making sure to restrict the flow of water from the free end of the hose. If a leak is present, replace the damaged section of hose.
(3) Some cleaners use a flexible membrane to provide motion for the cleaner head. If the cleaner utilizes one of these membranes, inspect it for damage or dilation (stretching of the membrane). If the membrane is damaged or dilated, replace it.
(4) Adjust the cleaner's regulator valve at the suction port. Some cleaner's utilize an adjustable regulator valve, which can be manually adjusted to regulate the flow through the cleaner head. Adjust it so that more water is flowing through the cleaner, and less is flowing through the extra port on the side of the valve.
(5) Clean the filter. As the filter becomes clogged with debris, it doesn't allow as much water to pass through the system. Suction decreases dramatically as the filter becomes dirty.
(6) It is possible that the pump may have insufficient suction to allow adequate operation of the cleaner. Check to see if the pump's impeller is clogged, worn or damaged and replace if necessary.
Problem(s): The cleaner becomes stuck to the pool surface and pulsates rapidly.
Probable Cause(s): There is too much suction through the cleaner/the cleaner is forming a tighter seal than usual against the pool surface.
Solution(s): (1) Adjust the flow through the cleaner manually using the flow control on the regulator valve. Allow more water to flow through the extra opening on the side of the valve, and less through the cleaner itself.
(2) Inspect the footpad of the cleaner for wear. Some cleaners possess a footpad that acts like the bottom of an athletic shoe. If the footpad becomes smooth, the cleaner will form a tighter seal than usual against the surface of the pool and the cleaner will become stuck.
Problem(s): The cleaner is not remaining upright.
Probable Cause(s): The ballast float is full of water.
Solution(s): Replace the ballast float. Once the ballast float (an air-filled container within the cleaner's head) becomes filled with water, the cleaner may tip over often. Replacing the float with a new one will remedy this problem.

PRESSURE-SIDE CLEANERS
IN-FLOOR ( PCC2000^®, PV3^®, VANQUISH®, VANTAGE®, POOL VALET^® )
In-Floor cleaners are built into the pool at construction. They work by placing nozzles throughout the pool floor and walls that sequentially popup and spray water to sweep areas of the pool. The debris is then removed through the skimmer and main drain. Your In-Floor cleaning system allows you to enjoy your pool while the system takes care of the majority of the tedious maintenance involved with owning a pool. You will only need to empty a few baskets, clean the filter and maintain chemical balance.

MOBILE ROBOTS
Pressure-side pool cleaners use the pressure of a swimming pool's circulation system in order to operate. This means that they must be connected to a port that returns water back to the pool after it has passed through the pump and the filter. Pressure-side cleaners tend to clean the pool more rapidly than their suction-side counterparts, and also have the effect of enhancing the overall circulation of the swimming pool. Since it operates on the pressure side, rather than the suction side of the system, it does not interfere with the operation of the main drain or the skimmer. In addition, it does move water throughout the pool more rapidly, increasing the circulation.

A. OPERATION
As mentioned above, pressure-side cleaners are attached to a return port of the pool. The water flows through the cleaner, and causes various mechanisms to move the cleaner head through the water. There are two types of pressure-side cleaners available on the market: those which utilize the existing pool's circulation system, and those which require an additional "booster" pump to provide adequate water pressure for the movement and operation of the cleaner. Pressure-side cleaners are connected to a dedicated pressure line so that the flow of water through them can be regulated easier. These dedicated lines possess a control valve that can be manually adjusted to regulate the flow of water through either the cleaner or the rest of the pool's circulation system. This valve is usually located between the pump and the filter, and a small, intermediate filter is present to ensure that large debris does not enter and clog the pool cleaner.

B. GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING
Due to the existence of many different types of pressure-side cleaners, only general troubleshooting will be addressed here. If a problem develops outside the scope of this section, please consult with a pool pro at your nearest Pool retail showroom.
Problem(s): Cleaner moves slowly, or doesn't move at all.
Probable Cause(s): Insufficient water flow through the cleaner.
Solution(s): (1) Check the cleaner hose for leaks. Some cleaner hoses are composed of many small sections connected with swivels and/or jets which may become worn or damaged. In addition, the hoses themselves may become worn or kinked and develop leaks, preventing sufficient amounts of water from getting to the drive jets. Replace any damaged hoses or connectors.
(2) Clean the main filter and the strainer filter in the dedicated return line. When the filter becomes clogged with debris, the pressure in the circulation system decreases. Cleaning the filter will increase the pressure of the water entering the cleaner.
(3) Check and adjust the valve position. If the valve used to adjust the flow of water through the cleaner is positioned incorrectly, adjust it so that more water flows through the cleaner.
(4) Check the booster pump for operation (if installed). For cleaners that require a separate booster pump, if the booster pump is not functioning properly, insufficient water pressure will be delivered to the pool cleaner, and the cleaner will slow down. If necessary, disassemble the booster pump and inspect the impeller for damage, wear, and debris.
Problem(s): The cleaner's tips over, or does not lie flat on the pool surface.
Probable Cause(s): The ballast float is full or water.
Solution(s): Inspect the ballast float in the cleaner's head and replace it if it is full of water.
Problem(s): The cleaner moves too rapidly.
Probable Cause(s): There is too much water pressure in the cleaning system.
Solution(s): (1) Check and adjust the valve position. If the valve used to adjust the flow of water through the cleaner is positioned incorrectly, adjust it so that less water flows through the cleaner.
(2) Add a restrictor washer to the fitting that connects the cleaner's hose to the pool wall. Some cleaning system manufacturers produce special washers that restrict the flow of water through the cleaner if placed inside the wall connector.