7 tips to maintain your Alkorplan liner
We use Renolit Alkorplan pool liner. It is the ideal seal for pool renovation and pool installation and guarantees absolute waterproofing. To keep your pool liner in good condition year-round, you do need to keep some guidelines in mind.
#1 Check chlorine, pH and alkaline levels.
The ideal chlorine level of your pool water is between 0.5 and 1 ppm. The pH between 7.0 and 7.6, alkaline should be a minimum of 100. Severe deviations from these values make the water much more corrosive and can cause skin and eye irritation.
If you use salt electrolysis for your chlorine treatment, then you need to take extra care. After all, the chlorine generated by electrolysis is non-stabilized. This is much more aggressive than stabilized chlorine and can cause your film to fade faster. It is therefore important to keep an extra eye on your chlorine levels.
Some guidelines when using salt electrolysis:
- Add up to 30 ppm of isocyanuric acid (stabilizer) to your bath at the beginning of the swimming season.
- Check your pH (between 7.0 and 7.6) and chlorine levels (below 1 ppm) daily.
- Even if your bath has automatic pH and Redox controls, it's still best to measure your chlorine levels regularly.
- Keep the value for total alkalinity (TAC) between 100 and 175 ppm. A TAC below 100 ppm makes the water corrosive. Too low a value can cause irreversible seal damage. We recommend checking this value weekly and after every period of heavy rainfall.
#2 Have well water analyzed.
If you want to use well water or water from an unknown source, have it analyzed and treated before pumping it into your pool. If water from the public drinking water system is not an option, ask your pool builder to preemptively treat the fill water with a metal remover. After all, much well water contains large amounts of dissolved metal that will precipitate on contact with an oxidizing product like chlorine. Over time, those metals can also cause dark stains on the liner. However, you can still remove those stains with Spot Remover.
#3 Avoid direct contact between chemicals and the film.
All products added to the pool water must be correctly and safely placed in the skimmers. Meanwhile, the circulation pump should continue to run. In the case of powder and chlorine shock treatment, consider diluting the products in water first and then distributing them over the pool with a watering can.
Caution:
- A floating doser can cause damage if it keeps lingering in the same area of the bath and locally over-concentrates chemicals. If that product lingers against the film wall for a long time, localized fading is possible.
- Do not throw chlorine tablets directly into the pool.
- Do not throw chlorine pellets (chlorine granules) directly into the pool.
#4 Do not use copper-based products
Some algicides (algaecides) contain copper. This can react with sunscreens and cause a yellowish discoloration at the level of the waterline. Not a good idea. Therefore, carefully read the label of the product you use and avoid copper-based algicides. A better alternative are algicides based on a quaternary ammonium. If you did accidentally add copper to the water, you can remedy it with Copper Out. By the way, the use of copper is prohibited in Belgium.
#5 Never use abrasive materials, tools or caustic cleaning products.
Avoid harmful, chemical substances. Clean with a soft cloth so that you do not damage the pool in the long run. The membrane has a special acrylic varnish that protects it and should not be tarnished. Definitely do not use any kitchen or household products.
#6 Protect your pool in winter as in summer and never empty it completely.
Pools are built to be full of water. Never leave a pool empty for a long period of time. In the summer, keep the water level as constant as possible. Protect skimmers and filter systems from frost in the winter.
