We Build the Best and Service the Rest!

With Peterson Pools & Spas, our customers have found a company that cares about doing the job right the first time around. Whether a new installation, repair work or maintenance, our staff takes the necessary time and effort that is required for the difficult jobs, without cutting corners.

We have a full-time, year-round service department with over 200 years combined experience. To keep pool ownership "hassle-free," we offer a weekly maintenance program.

Trouble Shooting

Here is an index of tips, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and general trouble-shooting information. Click on the index item to navigate to more details. Remember to call us if you have questions; this is just a general listing, and your situation may be different! We're here to help!

• My heater won't fire
• The pool is cloudy
• pH won't increase
• What should I do if I go on vacation?
• Using solar blankets
• Testing pool water quality
• Tips on adding chemicals
• Electrical power outage
• Checking pressure on filter tank

My heater won't fire

Check and clean all pump and skimmer baskets, empty all debris. Check pressure on filter; it may need to backwash.

The pool is cloudy

Check chlorine level. If no chlorine or very low, add 5 gal. of liquid or 8 to 10 cups of granular chlorine. Check 4 to 5 hours later. Chlorine should test 10 ppm, (off vial colors or test strip color). If not, add more chlorine. If doesn't clear in 24 to 48 hours, consult dealer.

pH won't increase

Check alkalinity level. If low, adjust to proper level (120-170), then increase pH level.

What should I do if I go on vacation?

Turn off heater, shock pool (5 gal. liquid or 10 cups granular), leave filter running on low and remove solar blanket. If it's an extended trip, have someone check on pool every 3 days minimum.

Using solar blankets

Never leave your blanket on more than 24 hours without removing. Best - to only use at night to retain heat and remove during the daytime hours. Always leave off if leaving town.

Testing pool water quality

It's best to test pools in the evening after heavy use and add chemicals appropriately. Pool should be tested at least every other day & always after heavy use.

Tips on adding chemicals

Never add more than one chemical at a time unless instructed by your dealer. Always have the pump on high speed when adding chemicals. Always add chlorine first if no chlorine is tested and all others secondary.

Electrical power outage

First check GFIs at outlets, then check fuse box in house.

Checking pressure on filter tank

High Pressure: Filter needs to be backwashed or filters need to be cleaned.

Low Pressure: Check all baskets on pool - skimmers and lint trap (the one by the pump). Also check water level - middle of skimmer face plates. Also check skimmer weir (inside of skimmer box); make sure it is not stuck.

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Maintenance

• Filter Backwash
• Prime the pump
• Vacuuming tips (manual)
• Cartridge cleaning for chlorine users
• Defilter cleaning instructions
• Winterization

Filter Backwash

1. Turn Heater Off
2. Turn Pump Off
3. Change valve position
4. • If using Multiport Valve, set to backwash position.
   • If using Two Position Slide Valve, move handle to backwash position.
5. Start Pump
6. If system has a sight glass, backwash until water in glass runs clear
7. If system does not have sight glass: Backwash until water clear at end of backwash hose
8. Turn pump off; reset valve to "Filter" position
9. • Restart pump; filter for 20 seconds
   • Repeat steps a, b..two times. Cycling is effective when cake and contaminants are difficult to break and flush out filter
10. Turn pump on
11. Open air release valve and release all air from tank
12. Pressure Gauge should go back to operating pressure (it varies)

NOTICE: Do not vacuum pool while backwashing filter.

Prime the Pump

1. Turn Heater Off
2. Turn Pump Off (pool and automatic cleaner)
3. Close suction lines
4. Close suction lines (skimmer and main drain)
5. Open and clean lint trap basket
6. Replace basket
7. Fill with water
8. Replace cover and tighten
9. Turn on pump and open main drain valve
10. Begin to bleed air from air release valve
11. When only water is coming out air release valve, turn air release off
12. The pump is now primed and running through one suction line
13. Open the remain suction lines (skimmers) slowly and bleed air until only water blows out
14. Turn air release off
15. The pump is reprimed at this point
16. Turn on automatic cleaner if desired
17. Turn on heater if desired

Vacuum Manually

1. Supplies Needed: vac head, pole, vac hose, optional skim vac
2. Connect vac head to pole
3. Connect vac hose (end marked connect to head) to vac head (friction fit)
4. Put head and hose in water with pole leaning on side of pool
5. Take free end of hose and hold over a return (round opening pushing water out) until the hose is full of water
6. Underwater push skim vac onto free end of hose
7. Take skim vac end of hose to nearest skimmer, take lid off and lift skim vac over skimmer into opening and put on skimmer basket
8. If you have two skimmers, go to equipment and turn the skimmer you are not using for vacuuming in the off position. If only one skimmer then turn the main drain partially off.
9. Vacuum pool going very slowly, so as not to stir dirt and debris up, DO NOT TAKE VAC HEAD OUT OF WATER.
10. When finished open all valves, disconnect skim vac from skimmer and remove vac from pool
11. Clean all baskets (pump and skimmer) and backwash filter if necessary.

Cartridge Cleaning

1. Remove the cartridge from the filter housing following the manufacturers instructions.
2. Use a garden hose with straight flow nozzle to wash down the filter element. Work from the top down, wash all the pleats with emphasis between pleats.
3. Rinse until all dirt and debris is gone.
4. For all spa cartridges and elements used in swimming pools where perspiration, suntan lotions, and other oils are present, soak the element for at least eight hours overnight is most effective) in a commercial filter cleaner, or one cup trisodium phosphate (TSP) to five gallons water, or one cup powdered dishwasher detergent to five gallons of water.
5. Rinse the cartridge again to remove oils and cleaning solution.
6. Let dry
7. Reinstall in filter housing

Defilter Cleaning

Materials Needed

1. 44 or 55 gallon container (poly or plastic)
2. Cleaning Solution: GLB Filter Fresh, TSP, Cascade (dry dishwasher powder)
3. Garden hose with standard spray nozzle

Cleaning Procedure

1. Dress appropriately, you will get wet
2. Take filter grid assembly to hard surface outdoors (driveway, etc)
3. Take apart grid assembly and rinse each grid thoroughly using hose and nozzle (do not take to car wash or use pressure washer)
4. Fill container with enough water to cover grids
5. Add one bottle GLB filter fresh, one cup Cascade or TSP per five gallons of water, mix well
6. Put grids into container and soak 8 - 12 hours or overnight
7. Remove grids from container and rinse with hose (dispose of cleaning solution down drive with fresh water)
8. Reassemble grid assembly
9. Store clean grid assembly in clean dry place (DO NOT STORE IN FILTER TANK)

Winterization Preparation

Sand, DE, and Zeobrite Filters

1. Turn heater, automatic cleaner and pool pump off
2. Remove solar blanket from pool and store
3. Close skimmer valves/plug if necessary
4. Put backwash valve on waste (dial valve) or backwash (two position valve)
5. Turn on pump
6. Drain to 1" below returns
7. Turn off pump
8. Put backwash valve to recirculate or filter position
9. Turn pump on (make sure circulation and pump primed)
10. Super chlorinate pool
11. Add algaecide

Mod Media Filters

1. Turn heater, automatic cleaner off
2. Remove solar blanket
3. Close skimmer valves
4. Roll out blue hose
5. Open valve at base of filter
6. Drain to 1" below returns
7. Close valve at base of filter
8. Super chlorinate pool
9. Add algaecide
10. Place winter cover and plugs by pool