30 - Friday, June 12, 198 rotect your pool investment BEYOND THE simple maintenance procedures for pool water, the pool shell and support equipment will need some atten- tion to ensure continued beauty, durability and proper functioning. The Canadian Spa and Pool Association recommends a six-step maintenance program to keep your pool clean and clear. *Skim the pcol’s surface to remove any floating debris that may not have been caught by the automatic surface skimmers. A standard leaf skimmer — a net-like tool with a long handle — can easily do the task and help avoid the more difficult job of removing: the debris once it sinks. ¢ Be sure to keep the strainer baskets in the skimmer and the pump free from excessive debris. Any build-up here will result in reduced circulation and. introduc- tion of air into the system. © Brush the pool walls and tile. Tile is best cleaned with a soft brush and a pool tile cleaner. The cleaning of pool walls will depend on your surface: cement, vinyl or fibreglass, Follow manufacturers’ suggested procedures, For general cleaning, the pool sides should be brushed with strokes from the top to the floor. Any debris can easily be removed with the vacuum. ¢ The pool should be vacuumed once a week, or more frequently during heavy debris collection periods and after heavy storms. * Always keep the filter clean. Depending on the type of filter, clean it by either backwashing or otherwise changing filter elements. When sufficient dirt has been col- lected by a filter, pressure will rise within it, and the circulation flow will decrease substantially. © Finally, clean the deck area by using a garden hose. Always direct the water away from the pool to avoid getting dirt in the newly cleaned pool and eliminate the possibility of swimmers tracking dirt into the pool as they cross the deck. ® Take a sample of your pool water to your pool dealer for analysis a couple of times a year to ensure that it is free from pollu- tants and contains the correct balance of chemicals for safe hygenic swimming. Routine poo! maintenance should begin the day construction stops and may require between four and eight hours a week work- ing around the pool. However, many poo! owners elect to use a professional pool maintenance company for routine maintenance. A full-service contract costs from $100 a month and includes weekly inspections and cleaning. (Prices vary from region to region in Canada). If a pool is not serviced by a Maintenance company, an owner should have professional pool care Gloss paint stays fresh looking From page 27 and longer lasting than oil-based products, Unlike oil-based paints, it is virtually odor-free, dries to the touch in three to four hours and ‘yesists marring and sticking around doors and windows. High gloss acrylic latex paint also permits simple soap and water cleanup of spills and paint brushes. ~ But the true beauty of high gloss acrylic latex. paint is in the way it looks... - Qn the outside of the home, high: gloss acrylic latex is an ex- cellent. choice. for sprucing up ‘weather-beaten or sun-bleached trim, doors, windows and shutters. The paint has excellent clarity and will maintain its freshly painted look long after you put the brush or roller away. Inside the home, high gloss acrylic latex paint can be used to beautify virtually any area. _. Because it is easy to care for (it can be cleaned and recleaned with plain soap and water), high gloss ‘acrylic latex is a natural: for kitch- * ens, bathrooms, playrooms and busy hallways. Dirty fingerprints and even crayon marks can be removed without marring the at- tractive finish of the paint. eg Glass enclosures ® Sunrooms ¢ Skylights * Glass conversions ¢ Windows @ Patio doors e Mirrors sivecrtaas Ask about Haida’s SPECIAL OFFER on Low “E” double-glazed glass Call Wayne to view the Haida catal WAYNE VEALE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER ue of design ideas for beautifying your home with glass wae wae, High gloss acrylic latex is even being used by some homeowners for wall surfaces, both inside and outside the house. The paint’s rich’ ‘texture and appealing sheen can be used to create dramatic decorator effects unlike any which can be achieved with other types of wall paint. twice each year — when the pool is opened for swimming season and when the pool is closed for the winter. 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