Can I Pool Alaska Miles? Wrong Pool - Here's Pool Maintenance

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Find on Amazon: Taylor K-2006C Pool Test Kit , Liquid Chlorine Pool Shock , Pool Chemical Starter Kit

Quick Answer

It seems you're asking about pooling Alaska Airlines miles, which isn't related to swimming pool maintenance. However, since you've landed on a pool repair site, let's turn this into a learning opportunity about proper pool maintenance and the step-by-step process of maintaining crystal clear water.

Understanding Pool Water Balance - The Foundation

While you can't "pool" miles in your swimming pool, you can certainly pool your knowledge about proper water chemistry. Maintaining a swimming pool requires understanding the relationship between various chemical levels and how they work together to create safe, clear water.

Step-by-Step Pool Maintenance Process

1. Test Your Water Chemistry
   Start by testing your pool water using a reliable test kit like the Taylor K-2006C. Test for Free Chlorine (FC), pH, Total Alkalinity (TA), Calcium Hardness (CH), and Cyanuric Acid (CYA). Always test water that's been circulating for at least 30 minutes and avoid testing immediately after adding chemicals.
2. Balance Total Alkalinity First
   Target TA levels of 80-120 ppm for regular chlorine pools, or 60-80 ppm for salt water generator pools. If TA is low, add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) at 1.5 lbs per 10,000 gallons to raise TA by 10 ppm. If high, use muriatic acid carefully - add 1 quart per 10,000 gallons to lower TA by approximately 10 ppm.
3. Adjust pH Levels
   Maintain pH between 7.4-7.6 for optimal comfort and chemical effectiveness. Use sodium carbonate (soda ash) to raise pH - about 6 oz per 10,000 gallons raises pH by 0.2 units. Lower pH with muriatic acid - 1 quart per 10,000 gallons typically lowers pH by 0.2 units.
4. Set Proper Cyanuric Acid Levels
   CYA acts as sunscreen for chlorine. Target 30-50 ppm for regular pools, 70-80 ppm for salt water generators. Add stabilizer at 1 lb per 3,000 gallons to raise CYA by approximately 10 ppm. Warning: CYA cannot be lowered except by dilution - only add small amounts and retest after 24 hours.
5. Establish Free Chlorine Based on CYA
   Use the FC/CYA relationship chart: with CYA at 30 ppm, maintain FC at 2-4 ppm; with CYA at 50 ppm, maintain FC at 4-6 ppm; with CYA at 80 ppm, maintain FC at 6-8 ppm. Add liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) rather than granular shock - it's more effective and doesn't add unwanted byproducts.
6. Adjust Calcium Hardness
   Target 250-350 ppm for plaster pools, 150-250 ppm for vinyl or fiberglass. Low calcium can cause etching; high calcium can cause scaling. Add calcium chloride to raise levels - 2 lbs per 10,000 gallons raises CH by approximately 20 ppm.
7. Circulate and Filter
   Run your pool pump for at least 8-12 hours daily, ensuring complete water turnover. Clean skimmer baskets weekly and backwash or clean your filter according to manufacturer specifications - typically when pressure rises 8-10 psi above clean starting pressure.
8. Brush and Vacuum Weekly
   Brush pool walls, steps, and hard-to-reach areas weekly to prevent algae growth and remove biofilm. Vacuum the pool floor, paying special attention to areas with poor circulation like steps and corners.
9. Shock When Necessary
   Perform the SLAM method (Shock Level And Maintain) when dealing with algae or cloudy water. Maintain FC at shock level (varies by CYA level) until water is crystal clear and you can pass the overnight FC loss test - losing less than 1 ppm overnight.
10. Test and Retest Regularly
    Test water chemistry 2-3 times weekly during swimming season, daily during SLAM process or when correcting problems. Always retest 4-6 hours after adding chemicals, and wait 30 minutes after circulation before testing.

Common Pool Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

Many pool owners make critical errors that waste money and create more problems. Avoid using trichlor tablets as your primary sanitizer - they add CYA continuously, eventually making chlorine ineffective. Don't rely on test strips for accurate readings; invest in a quality liquid test kit. Never mix different types of chemicals, and always add chemicals to water, not water to chemicals.

When to Call a Professional

While most pool maintenance can be DIY, certain situations require professional intervention. Call a pool technician if you're dealing with persistent algae despite proper SLAM procedures, equipment failures, or if you're uncomfortable handling pool chemicals safely.

Seasonal Considerations

Adjust your maintenance routine seasonally. During peak summer, test more frequently and maintain higher FC levels due to increased bather load and UV exposure. In cooler months, you may reduce chemical usage but never completely stop circulation and filtration.

Remember, consistent maintenance prevents major problems. Following the Trouble Free Pool methodology and maintaining proper water balance will keep your pool swimmable year-round while minimizing chemical costs and equipment wear.